why and how do gears on a bike work? Why does it give more / less resistance for going up and down hills?

Question

why and how do gears on a bike work? Why does it give more / less resistance for going up and down hills?

In: 1

Answer 1

Gears (and pulleys) are literally a form of lever. A long lever makes it easier to move something at the cost of having to move the lever farther. Similarly, the “easier” gears of a bicycle reduce the effort of climbing a slope at the cost of having to rotate the pedals more times.