How & When To Change Gear On Your Bike | Beginner Cycling Tips
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 22. 05. 2019
- Gears. They may seem complicated at first, but use them properly and you'll really notice the difference. There are many skills to be learnt in changing gears that could have a great benefit to your riding and your bike. Mark and Heather are here to explain!
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Gears. They may seem complicated at first, but use them properly and you'll really notice the difference. There are many skills to be learnt in changing gears such as avoid crossing your chain, cadence and pre-empting.
Sounds simple and could be a great benefit to your riding and your bike! Mark and Heather are here to explain!
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I wish I'd watched this three or four hundred miles ago.
john1054 hahađđ
Lllllpl
đđđđđđđđđđđđ
Lol
lolllll same tho
Finally a video where people are actually riding the bike and showing you the examples rather than just telling you about it with the bike in their garage.
Great insights. Just got a MTB this week and by watching this video i could spot so many mistakes i made in the past 3 days especially with Gear changes on uphill and down hill. Thanks for this video.
I feel like I needed to start from a more basic place.
Whew⊠same. Iâm not comfortable taking my hands off the bars đ„Ž
I stumbled upon your channel recently and I have been binge watching all your videos!!!!
As a newbie triathlete this was immensely helpful!!!!!!
Keep up the great work GTN â„ïžâ„ïžâ„ïž
Annapoorni Arulanandan
Thank you! Good luck with your upcoming triathlons!
@@heatherfell_oly
Whoaaaađ„đ„đ„đČđČ
Was not expecting you to repllyyyyyđ
Thank youâ„ïž
Newbie to riding the right way..efficient and effective. Thanks for info as I am trying to understand gears and shifting and how snd when etc.
Both of you never really teach or show how and when to change gear.the question is what gear to use when your are on flat surface and you want to sprint faster.what gear are you using when your are climbing or uphill.what gear are you using when you are on a downhill slope.what gear are you using when you on a downhill zigzag road.
THIS PLEASE^
Exactly. It was not clear enough to follow for beginners
What i get out of this video is everything is personal preference. Keep your rpms at what they recommend 80-95rpms in what ever gear you can handle.
You can probably maintain 95rpm at a different gear than I can.
Yeeeesssss!! The video is full of jargon words that are not beginner friendly, useless infos and they're like teaching professionals how to do it,, I'm a beginner and what I need is beginner style teaching. Ughhh,, all I want to know is if I go uphill, should I use small gear or large gear at the back, and small or large at the front? Ugggghh
@@Jane-vw5om yes and considering its title...
Always looking for Nirvana sweet spot which seems to vary depending on fatigue.
By far the best practical guide on the topic ! Thanks a lot
Hi. I've recently been given a bike for my birthday. I'm getting on a bit now and only remember the old 3 speed gears inside the bike hub! - if you know what I mean? Anyway I now have a bike with 2 gears up front, and 6 at the back. I'm not stupid, and I would have learned how best to use them fairly quickly (I think) but your video has helped me understand what goes on with them. Thanks very much.
All theory, no vision. Why don't they actually show how it works on the wheels. Also how it works on the handlebars?
Enquiringmind777 why donât you
BIg G because heâs not making the tutorial...? I was thinking the same thing. This video doesnât do well for visual learners.
You can lead a horse to water, but you canât make him drink
Enquiringmind777 The concept basically that you don't want your chain at an extreme angle, so you don't want to have it from the biggest ring in the front to the biggest cog in the back or the smallest at the front to the smallest at the rear. When shifting, try to keep the chain running more or less straight. As for how it works at the handlebars, that will vary depending on what kind of shifters a person has on their bike.
arghidontknow pp pop pop prayers go p
All very good advice, and I'm glad as a novice that I was instinctively slightly reducing pressure when I was changing gears. I noticed immediately that this was the best way to ensure a smooth shift.
This definitely helps, looking forward to using this information on the road đđœ thank you.
Just started cycling relevant piece for me,really enjoying good comfortable trips ,itâs cool
What a brilliant video. Well presented. Iâll give it a go tomorrow đ
Iâve literally been crosschaining so much
Seriously. I keep pedaling but the bike wont move. I dont know how it works đ«
Cheers mates, from CA, USA!
Loved the video. I've had much better wear from my bike since following your channel. My hill climbing has improved too. Going to take some do these tips and put them into practice.
Very informative video. Thanks.
Thank you so much, this is so logical what you say !!
Great video. Thanks!
very helpful thank you so much!
Hi! Thanks for this. I like those aerobars as they're raised off the handlebar. What make and model are they?
Superb sunglasses btw
Good stuff. Thanks!
Mark, Heather, no need to own two full on TT bikes, you should stick with the P5Xâs, and Iâd be happy too look after one of these speedmaxâs for you. So jealous of you on these great bikes. Awesome video too, thanks guys
Lol to be able to have an entire conversation while speeding uphill. Theyâre not even sweating lol. #goals
Nor are they explaining anything
This really helped me understand gear shifting. I'm a 21 year old just starting his to learn to ride. Thank you!
Glad it helped and great to hear you're getting into cycling đ
Could you share your thoughts on switching a bike to 1 by gearing for triathlon? Good, bad, bit of both?
Connor Risberg I like the idea. Obviously itâs course dependent though. Make sure you get a specific 1x chainring, and figure out the correct ratio for yourself
where was this filmed? that is such a good scenery and seems like a peaceful and good place to cycle , i wana go there :(
This is all speech, I want some practical demonstration with the bike stationary and watching exactly what it happening. I have the old 10 speed shifters at the top from 40 years ago. Not sure which ones to use.
This one has good shots of the chain: "How You Should Be Changing Gears on Your Bike/Bicycle" czcams.com/video/clnNCsv4Phc/video.html
This is great. I am just getting into this sport and I am not shifting smoothly.
thank you very much.Quick shipper.Good Product.
Cycling is best your healthy body. Thank u for sharing. Keep safe.
If I'm changing gear on the drive gear I often change the cassette gear at the same time. A change of drive gear has such a big effect on the resistance and changing the cassette gear at same time can alleviate this (both big levers - for harder drive/easier cassette, or both small levers at the same time - for easier drive/harder cassette). Is this bad practice?
Always good to review
Nice over the top rides
Sweet. Great combination :)) Best wishes
I ride a 2x8 drive train bike, when in the front Iâm on 1, what should be the range in the back? 1-4? And if Iâm on 2 in the front should I be on 5-8?
Question: What if you're on a heavy gear and then suddenly got into a stop without preparing to shift down, do you switch gears while on a stop or after you pedal once or twice after the stop?
What i do is i drop 2-3 gears, lift my saddle and do 1/2 of a turn with my pedals, it helps engage the gear so that I will have minimal chain slips when accelerating (going from 2 to 3 pedal turn to engage the 2-3gears down) and once this first pedal turn is done I will drop to a smaller front gear. This let me accelerate more efficiently and easily. Very useful when you are at a red light and have the time to do it.
I miss the old levers on the bars!
All this is as clear as mud!!!
i have 3 numbers on my left gear and 8 numbers on my right gear.. first question is how many speeds is my bike? secondly, i really have no idea how or when to shift gears.. sometimes i shift and my chain makes the craziest noise.. so is the idea, when going up hill my left gear should be in 1 and my right gear should be in a low gear too? like 2 or 3? god somebody please help me lol
Your bike has 24 speed 3x8. Going uphill you should be on the easiest gear on the front and back it should be fine. That's not cross chaining.
24 speed
Can u make a video on fueling during the race with some DIY tips....what are allowed during the race and what not. Thanks.
Partha Singh
That's another video we need to do, great idea đ
Partha Singh i was thinking that question too!
Another vote for this. I'm just stepping up from sprint to standard and need to learn how and when to fuel on the go.
@@heatherfell_oly I would like suggestions on the 140.6 distance, please
@@nightsfalling we have made several training videos if that's what you're after?
đ thank you
Hi what is your drop bay why does it look different? hehe newbie here! I know the other one is an aero handle bar, but what the other one? it looks smaller ! I like it. :) thank you
Smallest in front and largest rear combo for uphill ?
love from Germany
nice job, mates
So Iâve been shifting gears completely wrong since I started biking three weeks ago! Got it
I am not getting them at all is it only me out they are explaining it in a difficult way.
What do you do if the mechanism to change from your small chain to the big chain doesn't work?
Can you shift the both gears front and back together?
So I know you said not to barrel through your gears all at once and pre empt hills and such but is it bad to change gears at all while climbing a hill? I saw another video where the guy said not to do this and well I just got a MTB and on just the first ride I noticed my chain starting to "jam (I guess?)" basically it just clicks or grinds probably once per chain revolution. It is only doing this in 2nd gear on my 11 speed. Do you have any idea what may have caused this and as I asked before, is it bad to change gears at all mid climb?
I hope I can give myself a bike like yours too guys! âđ» Ride Safe always!!
Fantastic, easy to understand presentation guys, excellent to watch. You are both easy going and clear in explanation with a great manner - you could easily be TV hosts! Thank you!
Good common sense tips đđŒ
So.. cross chaining is using the easiest or hardest ring/cog combo? Easy front + easy back or hardest front and hardest back = cross chaining?
But are you supplying any wide fitting at size 13"? Why do so many companies only supply up to size 12"?
Are you guilty of some of these out on your rides? Let us know!
As much as I try, I am always in the wrong gear for the start of the climbs...
I forget to change down for intersections, but that's it. What I have noticed is how common it is not be able to carry the speed onto an uphill. Often in race or group ride situations I have to be careful at the bottom of a (steep) hill if there's someone in front of me, because they will very often slow down significantly when the hill starts. This is exacerbated if the road has been descending. It's often easy to gain 50 to even 100 meters at the bottom of the hill before it turns into steady grinding. This applies also to much stronger riders than I. This most likely due to bad gear changing.
I usually don't change a lot on my TT bike at intersections, as I have mechanical shifters, and I don't really feel like leaning forward to change gears constantly. And I do get short sprinting workouts out of it, while I get back up to speed. On my normal road bike, I change gears a lot. But I almost never get the climbing gears right. Tend to be mostly too low, but I sometimes underestimate shorter hills, too.
Ahemm ... yyyyess ... ÂŽcause always start (since a year) with my large chainring and largest cog :-/ Seems at least not that bad than small chainring and smallest cog; doesnÂŽt sound well at my 105 and let me think first time, my new bike was delivered with a malfunction :-/
so as rough guide, do you generally keep it on the largest chain ring and cycle through the cassette? and perhaps only change to the smaller chain ring for very hilly terrain?
yeah, basically, from what I understand, at least
What happens if you change gears without peddling? Also do you need to change left and right gear shifts at the same time?
If you push the lever to change gear without pedalling then your chain wont move onto the next cog, for the chain to move you need the motion of the dear system.
Hello there. Can you please tell me what is the name of that thing that you rest your arms on? That thing right on top of the handlebar. It looks like a useful thing to have when riding. Thank you
That's exclusive for time trial bikes. It makes your riding form more aerodynamic which means more speed.
So when you go up an incline, what's the best gears to use? The cycle has three gears on the left side and five on the right. And which is the best for downhill?
@@onorebakasama could you give me the numbers? Uphill front gear what number, back gear what number? Same way which ones for downhill.
I am in hospital watching you everyday and canât wait until I hit the road again đ€đ
You are a fool
Why do u want to hit the road u must love the hospital
yoga yo ikr he wants to hit the road again
I just got a 24 inch hoy cris hoy I'm 10 and could you please make a video on your position like when when you should duck down and when to stand up ps reply please
Shimano gear changer twist type , shifted up to 6th now wont come back down handle seems locked in 6th?
This is going to take a bit of time to get used to đ
What bike is a good entry bike?
If I come to a junction and have to stop and I'm in high gear how do I get into lower gear before I take off
Sorry, total noob here. How do you determine what gears combination to change between the front and rear? Some say just leave the front gears at 2 and just varies the rear gears. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
I agree that this video wasn't informative.
@@thom6746 if u are in 1 at front you can be at 1-5 at back, 2 front almost all gears and 3 more higher ends, like 5-9 or what ur gears are , but there are videos on youtube explaining better
@@Justin-cc4hk yes, we have to go to other videos because all this video wasted our time. Thanks for your advice.
Does it work for MTB or only road cycles
Is it compulsory to shift ur gear in speed đ€?
Cool
OMG > Aero Canyon looks beautiful.
First I was at mtbn. Then I found myself at gcn. And now here I am at gtn
So what gear you use for uphill, I'm new to biking. This is really confusing đ
Highest easy gear
for uphill, use your lower gears but on a flat road where you can go fast use the higher gear
So I got myself a new bike 2 days ago and I havenât ridden since I was a kid. You mention changing through the gears gradually but going from 6-7 requires changing the front and cassette gears and from the furthest away cogs. (If that makes sense?!) and then you mention this is not recommended.
Adam P ditto here mate. Bought a 400 quid entry level hybrid and itâs the first proper bike Iâve had since I was a kid (needed to stop road running so much as my knees at 40 are not too forgiving!)
Realised how much bike tech has come on and Iâm a complete novice. Loving it though and looking forward to lockdown ending so I can join a club or at least ride with more experienced people!
Gareth Curnow yeah my knee cartilage is the reason I stopped running and started this. I recommend strava, if youâre not already using it.
I assume you're referring to the resistance gap between the chainrings? If so, it's recommended you actually go down one gear before shifting the chainring to maintain momentum.
1:10 those transitions hahahha
What bike are you guys using?
snapped my derailleur yesterday, I'm here to learn on how to prevent it from happening again
Ah no! Could of been for a whole series of reasons, maybe not your fault! Have you been to your local bike shop, we're sure they could diagnose the issue. đ
@@gtn The derailleur was faulty before the accident but it was completely my fault. Had it replaced and it is in a better condition than before.
so do you think that every gear cycle is same to change a gear??
I had to watch mark FIVE TIMES at 1:13 because I was so triggered from where his bottle was sat. Please tell me you have mud guards and I just missed them.
This helped me out a lot plus I just got L.E.D.s for my bike
A few tips:
Thereâs how gears work, advanced tips and tricks, but no mention about the what (the gear numbers) and when (what numbers to use on downhill, flats and uphill). I understand thereâs cadence thatâs different for everyone, but a general rule at least? After watching this I still donât know what gear to use when and why. Second, probably itâs best if you can narrate through the video with b-rolls of cycling footage, instead of talking while riding đ
Exactly, this was extremely useless
My shifter on the left has three options:High, Medium, Low and my shifter on the right has six options:1,2,3,4,5 and 6. I still haven't figured out how to use these efficiently :/
Mine do to
at 7:10 were you cross chaining? :D
Thank you for this, going up small hills, I would wobble and almost fall off, now I know why.
ive just bought a giant road e bike e+2 ; i havent ridden it yet, and trying to understand all these 'gear changings' sounds very very very very confusing
Bike mechanics can explain it more clearly.
Yes. The thing about âcrossed chainâ is not shown in this video, but I saw a bicycle mechanic video a few weeks ago where he shows it properly so that you can see what it means.
3:00 cross chaining is actually a bigger topic then you'd realize and which I have issues with. I approach a road to which I must yield, it seems free of traffic, so I prepare and go lower in the gears, but as it turns out, suddenly one long line of cars, so I must do a full stop. Quickly I drop a few more gears, and suddenly I'm in the easiest on the back and hardest at front, so I'm in this cross chaining. Also, no visual information in the cock pit in what gear I am. Only when I look down on front and back I have an idea in what gears I am.
Ok next time, I'm at a similar crossing, but I was well prepared and in my front easier gear there's nothing and I increase in gears several times. And dang, I'm again cross chaining without any signals.
Ok third time I'm at the same kind of crossing, I prepared I'm in easier front gear somewhere middle, this time no traffic, a few pedals way to high cadence so I switch front to harder gear, way to hard and thus change back in easier.
This third way seems to work well, but still it is kind of a hassle.
I always stick to mid range and only shift the back gear except on extreme cases - extreme uphill then I shift the front to low range. In mid range 90% of the time, therefore, I just have to worry about shifting down the back gear when I may slow or stop.
Hi, I have a 2 x 8 set up. Is it okay if I use the middle 2 cogs at the back with either the 2 chain rings at the front? Is that still cross chaining?
@@Omniverse0 Thank you for clearing this up. Stay safe.
Hmm seems familiar OH GCN SHOW LETSS GOOOOOO
This made me even more confused. I have numbers on the gear shift, what do the numbers mean?? What does the right side do, and what does the left side do? Im so confused plz help
Haha me too!!
There are on many bikes two sets of gears - front and rear. The front sets, controlled on the left side of the handlebars, are your "gross adjustment" - each change of the front gears changes the ratio significantly, and thus the effort you need to expend to pedal.
The rear set, controlled on the right side of the handlebars, is "fine adjustment" - each change affects the ratio much less than the front gears.
Let's use a simple example:
If you have two front gears, we can think of these as "high and low"
If you have seven rear gears, we can think of these as speeds 1-7 (low), and 8-14 (high).
Low-1 will be the easiest to pedal - you want this when going up a REALLY steep hill.
High-14 will be the hardest to pedal - you want this when going really fast - like, down a really steep hill.
They recommend in the video not to crosschain - that is, to be in low-7 or high-1. Shift the front gear before reaching these extremes.
But wait, why would you want to pedal when going downhill?
Cadence.
Basically, once you figure out how many revolutions per minute is most comfortable for you, you want to keep that cadence going. In the video they recommend 80-95 rpm.
By shifting gears, you can maintain that cadence no matter if you're on a flat, going uphill, or going downhill.
@@Raveler1 yours is the best explanation I've found so far. Thank you!đ
wish I'd watched that a year ago!
Itâs so confusing.. shift down, shift up vs smaller chain rings to bigger ones, or smaller cassette to bigger cassette. Or which one is it the front or the back
whats with the cloths? i never understood it.
Nice video. I describe my bike as having 27 'gears' and I've probably only used four of them. :p
I'm just waiting for somebody to do a video about the best year-round all weather condition commuter bike you can find at Walmart
How are you supposed to not cross chain if youâre on a very high gear, trying to gain speed downhill