Bike Mechanics

I commuted on a 3-speed bicycle for years before switching to a 7-speed. Over time, I have learned a lot about the differences between a 3-speed bike vs 7-speed bike. Here is what I found. 3-speed bike vs 7-speed: the main difference A 3-speed bike is great for commuting to the office or school on short, flat, city roads. They…

3-speed bikes are great for commuters. They are rugged, need little maintenance, and are perfect for city riding. But is a 3-speed bike enough for hills? Let's find out. Is a 3-speed bike enough for hills? A 3-speed bike is enough for the occasional hill but is better suited for flat city roads. While some riders get by (or even…

Most bikes can easily go 25 mph or more on flat roads. But how fast can a bike go downhill? Let's look at this question in detail so you don't have to try it out yourself. Because as it turns out, it can be quite dangerous to try this at home. How fast can a bike go downhill? Tour de…

The difference between an 18-speed bike vs 21-speed is often small. Many of these bicycles share similar parts and only differ in the extra gears of the 21-speed bicycle. But does that mean that they are essentially the same bike? And are 21-speed bikes always better? Or are there 18-speed bikes that are (much) better than 21-speeds? Let's find out.…

The difference between a 7-speed vs 8-speed bike is small. They often share similar parts and only differ in the extra gear of the 8-speed bicycle. But does that mean that they are essentially the same bike? Let's find out. What is the difference between a 7-speed vs 8-speed bike? 7-speed vs. 8-speed bikes are very similar. They often share…

Have you ever wondered how fast a 21-speed bike can go? Today, we will explore this answer for hybrid bikes, mountain bikes, and road bikes. We will also see how much the fitness level matters. How fast can a 21-speed bike go? A 21-speed bike can go as fast as 44 mph (70 km/h). But that requires a fit rider…

Have you ever wondered how fast an 18-speed bike can go? Let's take a deeper look based on different bike types and fitness levels. How fast can an 18-speed bike go? An 18-speed bike can go as fast as 35mph. But that requires a good rider and a light bike with good gear ranges. The better question to ask would…

They are inexpensive bikes and perfectly capable for commuters. But is a 7-speed bike enough for hills? Let's find out.

Have you ever wondered how fast an 8-speed bike can go? If you're anything like me, then you may have even tested it out before. But is that really the right question to ask in the first place?

8-speed bikes are capable, inexpensive bikes. But is an 8-speed bike enough? To answer this question we have to answer another question first: Enough for what?