![]() ![]() Without question, there will be exceptions to this rule of thumb. On the other hand, if you’re spinning in excess of 90 rpm, try shifting to a bigger gear, which should bring you back below 90. That should let your cadence return to the 80-90 range without overworking you. For instance, if you’re generally pretty comfortable pedalling at 80-90 revolutions per minute (rpm), once you find it hard to maintain that a cadence of 80, shift your bike into a smaller gear. Rather than thinking, “What gear should I be in?” try to let your cadence dictate your gearing. There’s no such thing as the right or wrong gear for everyone. Again, don’t force the pressure as you shift, and try to plan ahead. Starting back up to speed or going downhill? Get moving with that low or easy gear, apply slightly less pressure once you’re moving at a safe speed, and shift into a higher, or harder, gear. The key in this exercise is to not mash down hard as you shift because it can cause your chain to skip or even come off if it’s not adjusted correctly. As you’re pedaling with only a tiny bit less power, shift your gears into a lower-or easier-gear. First, as you approach a hill, stop sign, stop light, or potential moment to stop, apply slightly less pressure on your pedals than you would normally. Those who have been riding bikes for a long time have a natural sense of which gear to be in at which time (more on that below), and while that will take some trial and error, knowing when to shift and how to do it right is something that takes far less practice. This is where there’s a little more art than science. How Should I Shift My Bike’s Gears Properly? Pedaling will be harder, but you’ll travel farther with each revolution. A big gear involves your big ring in the front and a relatively small gear in the back. Conversely, if you’re descending a hill, shift your bike into a big (or “higher” or harder) gear. That will make it much easier to pedal, and allow you to keep your cadence-how quickly you’re spinning your legs-from dropping too much. You do this by shifting to your small ring in the front, and a relatively big cog in the back. On an incline, the approach is to use a small (or “low” or easy) gear. RELATED: What’s The Best Way To Clean A Bike Chain? What Do The Gears Even Do?Īt the risk of oversimplifying things, the basic function of gearing it to make hills into “flats on an angle.” As the terrain changes, you can shift in order to compensate for the hills. Once we discuss how to put them to use, it should help you make sense of it. The rear derailleur is controlled by the right shifter, and moves the chain from cog to cog on the gears in your rear wheel. (More on the “in theory” part a little later.) The chain is moved between your front chainrings chainrings by your front derailleur, which is controlled by your left shifter in most places. If you have two gears in the front and ten gears in the back, in theory, you have a 20-speed bike. ![]() Most road or tri bikes have two chainrings in the front-attached to the crank arms and pedals-along with ten or more cogs on a cassette in the back, and they’re connected by the chain. Get To Know Your Bike’s Gears, Even Before You Shift Them ![]() It won’t have you ready to take on a job as a mechanic at your local shop, but it will leave you fluent in the important terminology and workings of your ride. So let’s make sure you have the knowledge and confidence to put all those gears to work on your behalf.įirst, let’s start with the basics. Though it may be tempting to just “hop on and ride,” learning how to shift your bike’s gears correctly can help you ride faster, more comfortably, and more efficiently. If you’re new to triathlon, some aspects of your bike can be something of a mystery. For access to all of our training, gear, and race coverage, plus exclusive training plans, FinisherPix photos, event discounts, and GPS apps, ![]()
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