As a professional bike tech and USA Cycling Coach, I recently encountered a customer who brought in his Trek Mountain bike with a damaged drivetrain (chain link snapped, rear derailer damaged and derailer hangar bent) as a result of poor gear shifting techniques. This prompted me to write this article as I often see customers and cycling clients misuse their bicycles by not understanding the basic fundamentals of proper gear shifting.
For some readers, you might take the title of this article as insulting but in truth, many cyclists have not mastered or taken the time to understand the skill needed for proper gear shifting techniques. Today’s bicycles used in all cycling disciplines are equipped with quality drivetrain components with the latest in drivetrain shifting technology. To the average cyclist, it’s quite easy to not fully understand the mechanics of proper gear shifting techniques.
The current USA Cycling Coach Manual identifies two basic skills:
- Demonstrates knowledge of gears and gear selection based on event, course, etc.
- Demonstrates gear shifting skills
So, let’s start off with the basics of knowing that there are two distinct types of gear shifting systems. The traditional mechanical shift system and the electronic shift system. The majority of bicycles use the mechanical shift system which is dependent on a shift cable and gear shifter be it the trigger, twist or Integrated (brake and shift) lever. In addition, most modern bicycles use indexed shifting which is a significant advancement over manual shifting, providing a more precise and reliable gear-changing experience.
With all that said, a simple way to relate your gears is that of weight training in a gym. The harder or high gear you select, the more you will have to work in order to turn out revolutions per minute (RPM’s). Conversely, in choosing a low gear, it will be easier for you to pedal out those RPM’s. The ideal cycling RPM (cadence) generally ranges between 85 and 95 RPM for flat, steady road riding. However, the exact “sweet spot” is highly individualized and shifts based on the specific type of riding you are doing and your physical fitness.
Now let’s talk about shifting terminology being the upshift and downshift. The upshift in cycling refers to the process of shifting gears to a higher gear, which allows the bicycle to move faster in a given gear. Downshifting involves shifting to a lower gear ratio to make pedaling easier. Check out this link which fully describes the gear shifting process:
How To Use Your Gears on a Bike: Beginner Series Ep. 3
The video you just watched is very basic and can add value to your riding experience if properly applied. In addition, you can on most modern drivetrain group sets shift your front and rear derailers simultaneously or “multishifting” which shift gears continuously. Electronic shift systems do this automictically, mechanical systems do not.
One common mistake is not to shift to a low gear prior to stopping or in climbing hills (downshifting). Even more so, in shifting to a high gear (upshift) during descents and spinning out. Another common mistake is to gear shift under heavy torque; even high-quality drivetrains can malfunction under heavy torque or load. The way to shift and not damage your drivetrain is to lighten up on your pedaling while making your gear shift selection.
Now that you have a basic understanding on how gears work and how to apply safe gear shifting techniques, go out there and enjoy your ride!
v/r
Elmer Feick
USA Cycling Coach
EF Cycles
El Paso Bicycle Club 