gearing

The gearing of a bike is expressed as a formula: [# of front gears] X [# of rear gears]. For example, 2 X 10 refers to a bike with a double crankset (2 gears) in the front and a 10-speed cassette (10 gears) in the rear.
For the most part, 10-speed gearing is standard on mid- to high-end road bikes, although some bikes with Campagnola components offer the 11-speed option. Entry-level bicycles occasionally have 9-speed or even 8-speed gearing.

Whether you choose a double or triple crankset (2 or 3 gears in the front) will depend on how and where you intend to ride your bike. Triple cranksets offer a wider range of gearing options; essentially, they have more gears, making it easier to go uphill. Experienced riders usually have the strength for double cranksets; less experienced riders, or those who plan to tour or commute with heavy loads, should look for bikes with triple cranksets.

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