How To Change Mountain Bike Gears

This article will provide a simple and brief overview of how to change mountain bike gears.

Mountain bikes have a wide range of gears and they are used to make the ride easier or harder. Gears on a bike can be changed by moving the chain up or down.

How do you change gears on a mountain bike smoothly?

Use one shifter at a time: To simplify gear shifting and minimize stress on your drivetrain, don’t shift both the front and rear shifters at the same time. Remember: shift the chain between the front chainrings for big changes, then use the rear cogs to fine-tune your gear setting.^[1]

How should a beginner change gears on a bike?

A long push (with two clicks) will move the chain into a larger, easier gear in the rear (right hand) and a larger, harder gear in the front (left hand). A short push (with one click) will move the chain into a smaller, harder gear in the rear (right hand) and a smaller, easier gear in the front (left hand).^[2]

How do you use different gears on a mountain bike?

To shift onto a different chainring/gear up front, use your left shifter. To shift one of the rear gears (and how you’ll shift most often), use your right shifter. For smoother shifting, pedal lightly while using the shifter.^[3]

Do you shift gears while pedaling?

Shifting your gears while standing still stretches the cables and strains the derailleurs. Remember, you have to be pedaling before the bike will change gears.^[4]

What is the easiest gear on a mountain bike?

Low Gear. The low gear is the “easy” gear and is primarily used when climbing. The low gear is the smallest chain ring in the front, and the largest cog on the rear cassette. In this position pedaling will be easiest and the least amount of force will be required to push the pedals.^[5]

Is gear 1 high or low on a bike?

Gear ‘1’ on a bike is a low gear: this is the same for gears in a car. This gear is best for climbing, riding over difficult terrain, and riding slowly. This gear may also be referred to as the ‘easy’ gear.^[6]

Which cog is gear 1 on a bike?

Number 1 on your right shifter is the easiest gear for climbing hills, as it puts your chain on the largest rear sprocket. Number 7 on your right shifter is the hardest gear for going really fast, and it puts your chain on the smallest rear sprocket.^[7]

What gear should my bike be in?

For regular terrain on a flat road, the middle gear is ideal. You can shift to the middle gear if you need strength, but not enough to ride on undulating roads. Combine the middle chainring with a triple rear cog to bike ride smoothly on a flat road. For beginners in biking, it is best to keep the bike in middle gear.^[8]

What gear should I use on a flat road?

High Gear. This one is great for descending, accelerating, or for use when you want to go nice and fast on a flat road. In a high gear, you travel a long way for each turn of the pedal.^[9]

What gears should I use on my mountain bike?

If you’re concerned with optimizing performance and don’t want to give up gears on the climbs or descents, then 2×10 is likely the better choice for you. Benefit of 2×10 gearing on long climbs: Many cyclists want lower granny gears for long climbs, particularly when training and racing at altitude.^[10]

When should you shift gears?

Depress the clutch. Move the shifter up to the next highest gear. Release the clutch while pressing down on the gas.^[11]

Should I stop Pedalling to change gear?

While you are shifting gears, you must keep pedaling in order for the chain to move from one gear to the next. When you’re in a particular gear and pedaling, the chain is pulling on the teeth of that gear.^[12]