When To Shift Mountain Bike Gears

Shifting gears on a mountain bike is an essential skill for any mountain biker. It’s also one of the most difficult skills to master, and it takes years of practice to get it right.

There are two general principles to keep in mind when shifting gears. First, always shift before you need to; second, shift early enough so that you have time to make the shift without slowing down too much or pedaling too hard.

Should you change gears while pedaling?

Pedaling should always accompany gear shifting. A cyclist who stops their bike when changing gears will not be able to engage the chain on the gears that they want to shift. Bikers also need to avoid backpedaling when moving the chain up or down the gears.^[1]

What gear should my bike be in when going uphill?

Low Gear = Easy = Good for Climbing: The “low” gear on your bike is the smallest chain ring in the front and the largest cog on your cassette (rear gears). In this position, the pedaling will be the easiest and you’ll be able to pedal uphill with the smallest amount of resistance.^[2]

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.^[3]

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.^[4]

What gear should I bike in on flat road?

For riding on flat roads, it is recommended to use the middle gear. It is a common choice among bikers as it helps you reduce pressure from your feet onto the pedals.^[5]

Which gear is best for downhill?

Use lower gears to go downhill When you start to head back downhill, use your engine and transmission to slow the car down instead of the brakes. Shift to a lower gear before you start heading downhill, as this will help slow down the car without you having to ride the brakes, says the National Park Service.^[6]

How can I bike uphill without getting tired?

1) Weight. The heavier you are, the harder every climb will be. 2) Training. Unfortunately, biking uphill only really becomes easier if you do it regularly. 3) Get your gears right. 4) Pacing the climb. 7) Ride in a group. 8) Preparation. Conclusion.^[7]

Is a 7 speed bike good for hills?

The 7-speed bike is made for flat ground terrain and you can conquer good amount of incline. The 7-speed bike is great all-around bike. It has low enough gear to go up a pretty steep incline and also has a high gear to go pretty fast.^[8]

What gears for what speed?

Remember each car will be geared slightly differently, but a good rule of thumb for changing gears is that first gear is for speeds up to 10 mph, second gear is for speeds up to 15 mph, third gear is for speeds up to 35 mph, fourth gear is for speeds up to 55 mph, fifth gear is for speeds up to 65 mph, and sixth gear …^[9]

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.^[10]

What is gear 7 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.^[11]

Why is it harder to pedal in higher gear?

It’s all about power. Lower gears require more revolutions (and therefore less energy per revolution) to achieve the same distance. So the power requirement is less.^[12]