Hello there, here you are looking to choose between gear and non-gear cycles. Don’t worry. We all have been at this juncture, wanting to know what’s the best type of cycle for us.
Spoke Herd brings to you a simple guide on the difference between the two types and which type you should opt for.
Basics:
Observe a bunch of cyclists riding uphill. You might notice two kinds of cyclists. One would be where the riders are grinding their way to the top. They are huffing and puffing for each stroke on the pedal.
Another group would be where the riders are smoothly gliding their way to the top. The ride looks seamless and you can feel that they are not exerting a lot of effort.
The first group is where the cyclists own a non-geared bicycle. These have a single gear ratio and it has no impact on the riding pace. The speed of the cycle is determined by the cyclist’s force on the pedal.
Now, easy guess for the second group — cyclists with a geared bicycle. These cycles have a certain number of gear ratios. By switching between different gears, a rider can reduce his effort while maintaining the ideal cadence.
Let us now delve into the specifics which will help you make an informed decision.
Riding surface
The surface on which you usually ride has a big impact on which type of cycle you need. If you ride in the city and on flat roads, a non-geared bicycle shall fit the bill.
And if your riding journeys are usually on rough terrain, you need a geared cycle for a healthy ride.
For flat roads, a geared cycle is overpowered and unnecessarily expensive. Likewise, for adventurous rides on uneven surfaces, a non-geared cycle is inefficient. It is also exhausting for riders as they will have to grind through the uphill and downhills.
Cost
This is a simple difference to understand. Geared cycles are comparatively more expensive than their non-geared counterparts.
Also, there is a wide variety of options available in both types.
You can purchase a quality non-gear cycle at ₹6,000. On the flip side, a quality geared cycle may cost you a minimum of ₹11,000.
Maintenance
Geared cycles have several crucial parts that are a must for a smooth ride. From derailleurs to the chainring, damage to any one part and the cycle is rendered useless.
For non-geared cycles, there is a single cog and no derailleurs. Also, they are usually used on flat surfaces which have a low impact on the cycles’ health.
Most of the fixes for non-geared cycles are DIY. This also means it is cost-effective for the owner.
And it is the opposite for the geared cycles — visiting bicycle shops and paying is routine.
Speed and Weight
These are two factors that are often overseen while choosing a bicycle. Remember that the speed of non-geared cycles depends completely on the efforts of the cyclist. For geared cycles, higher speeds can be achieved with comparatively fewer efforts.
For the obvious reasons of carrying extra components, geared cycles are bulky. So, using them for groceries is not ideal.
Non-geared cycles are lighter by several kilograms and are perfect for casual rides.
These are four factors that you need to keep in mind while choosing between geared and non-geared cycles. If your basic objective is to ride casually, a non-geared cycle is your best bet. And if you are in a cycling community and go for adventurous rides, a geared cycle will be your best investment.
