This is a comprehensive guide on how to change the gears on a road bike or a mountain bike.
Road bike shifters can feel intimidating at first, but this guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to use Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo drop-bar shifters.
On the best road bikes , the shifters and brakes are usually integrated into one unit. There are slight variations on the design, but this is by far the most common design on modern drop-bar bikes. They are sometimes referred to as ‘brifters’.
The best mountain bikes (and the best hybrid bikes ) use flat-bar shifters. While they are pretty intuitive, there are different designs, so we’ve provided instructions for the main two types: thumb shifters and grip shifters. When should I change gears?
Bicycle gears enable you to cycle faster and climb hills with ease. They also help you maintain a comfortable pedalling speed.
You should ideally pedal at a cadence (the number of revolutions of the crank per minute) of 70 to 100rpm, although this can differ between riders.
You should change into an easier gear whenever climbing up hills or inclines. Use a harder gear when cycling on the flat or if you ever feel there’s little resistance when pushing on the pedals.It’s a good idea to keep an eye on the road ahead and anticipate when you need to change gear. For example, if you’re about to start a climb, it’s worth changing into an easier gear just before it starts so you can tackle the ascent […]
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