The 1998 model rocket is equipped with 21 gears. There are three chainrings up front and a seven sprocket cassette on the rear hub. Gear selection is accomplished with trigger shifters on the handlebars. These shifters operate by simply pressing levers with either the first finger or thumb.

The number of teeth on each of the two gears dictates the final gear ratio of the bike.

Stock Configuration (Days 1 to Day 19)

Front chainrings:

Low	36
Medium	46
High	58

Rear cassette ("ac" configuration):

Small Sprocket	11
	13
	15
	18
	21
	24
Large Sprocket	28

This yields a gear inch range from 25.7 to 105.5.

A little lower gearing...

In Carbondale, IL I bought a new Shimano rear cassette ("am" configuration) :

Small Sprocket	11
	13
	15
	18
	21
	24
Large Sprocket	30

This yields a gear inch range from 24.0 to 105.5.

Finally... some relief!

In Canon City, CO I bought a new chainring so my new chainring configuration is:

Low	30
Medium	36
High	46

My effective gear inch range from Day 33 to Day 70 was 20.0 to 83.6.

Conclusion... Never, ever do a fully loaded tour unless your lowest gear inch is 20 or lower!

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Updated 2.17.03
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Lawrence J. Flint