When should I change my gears?

You do not have to zoom down a slope when descending if you put more resistance on the pedals by using the "higher" or "harder" gears.  The lower gears are easy gears are for ascending hills.

Shift down to a lower gear = Ride uphill = ride on lower gears to climb uphill with less effort.

You are cycling on low gear when

1) your chain is on cog of smallest chainring = gear 1
2) your chain is on cog of biggest sprocket at the rear = gear 1

Shift up to a higher gear = Ride downhill = add resistance on the pedals and to reduce cadence (in your own term, heaviest).

You are cycling on highest gear of your bike when
1) your chain is on cog of largest chainring at the front = gear 3
2) chain on cog of smallest sprocket = gear 8 = you are running on 24 speed

This diagram of cogs on a chainring and freewheel of a 24 speed bike gives you an idea on which cog your chain is sitting on when you change your gears.

What this video if you would like a clearer picture of how your chain moves on the chainrings and cogs when you change your gears.

Why do some people still buy brand new bicycles without gears?

I noticed that cyclists, especially the younger ones still schooling, would prefer to choose the type of bicycles their friends are ridding, which are usually single speed bikes, like BMX 

or fixie.

Parents would rather buy their children single speed bicycles if they think that their children do not know how to care for their belongings. Maintenance cost will be lower if there are less parts there for them to damage.

What is so unique about bicycles?

Do you want to know what is so unique about bicycles as a form of recreation or exercise compared to other form of transport?

When you cycle on a bicycle, you can call yourself “The Champion of the Earth” because you do not require fossil fuel to get you around. It is a recreation where you can get everyone in the family involved because none of you will require a license to start cycling.

For the younger ones, who do not know how to cycle yet, an extension can be added to the bicycle.

You can even bring along a wee one on a front mounted child seat.

When it is too hot to cycle or if it is raining, you can mount your bicycle on a trainer to ride indoor.

Maintenance cost is low as parts and components are generic so you can easily find them in any bicycle shop and get your problem fixed no matter where you are. In fact, some repair work are not too technical that you can learn how to fix them personally.

While you are out exercising on your bicycle, you can also run errands. Just make sure that you have a carrier or a rack installed to hold any purchase. Here is a solution if you can’t install a carrier or rack.

There are many places in your home or its compound where you can easily store your bicycle as it does not take up too much space. You can even hang it from the ceiling right above your shoes cabinet.

You can ride your bicycle anywhere you want to build up your fitness without worrying about leaving a carbon footprint.