Crossclimb #614 Answer – January 4, 2026
THREESPEED
Answer
THREESPEED
Combo Clue
“A hyphenated word for a type of bicycle with a few different forward gear ratios to use on hills or flat terrain. Keep in mind: The first part may be at the bottom.”
📖 How I Solved It
I had a bit of a struggle with puzzle #614, especially the combo clue. It said something about a hyphenated bike, and I kept trying to think of words like 'mountain-bike' or 'two-speed', but none of them fit. I didn’t realize until later that the first part of the word might be at the bottom! Once I finally got 'THREE', everything started to click. The word ladder was a fun challenge too; I got stuck on 'SHREW' for a bit, thinking, 'What on earth does Shakespeare have to do with this?' I actually guessed 'SHRED' before realizing I was way off. Once I sorted that out, the rest fell into place pretty nicely, leading me to 'THREESPEED'.
💡 Tips for This Puzzle
- •Think about the structure of the clue; sometimes the first part might be at the end!
- •Don't get stuck on one clue; if you're confused, move on and come back later.
- •Remember that word ladders can lead you to unexpected connections.