Bought a 7 speed mountain bike today. Have never rode a geared bicycle before. I watched a bunch of "expert" videos on gear changing before this and they were so indirect and full of jargon that they went straight over my head. You have broken the entire process down into such simple, and easy to understand language. Perfect for beginners like me. Thanks for posting this video. Highly informative.
agree , i was in gear 1 in left and 7 in the back , the guy in shop told me that how it works. But after using the bike i feel there is something wrong with gears and pedaling was hard . and this video really explain it for me right
Hello, I just bought a new bike and went for my 1st ride yesterday. I didn’t know what I was doing trying to shift into a comfortable gear for both up hill & down. This video has made SO much sense. Thank you so much for making it with everyday language for us reg blokes 😊
OMG! THANK YOU !! Finally someone who shows the handlebars! When I'm riding I'm not looking at the sprockets. Everyone else shows how the sprockets work. I don't care how they work because I'm not trying to build a bike, I'm trying to ride one! You just simply showed me what button to push and why. Again, thank you for clear communication.
This was such a helpful video! My boyfriend just bought be a mountain bike for Christmas and I’ve never owned one so I need all the help I can get. Thanks! The only two videos I’ve come across that have been truly broken down and helpful have both been by women. The videos from “professionals” are not helpful at all.
Thank you I have just watched a dozen videos and this is the first one which has broken it down, so l can understand which gear l need to use! “Experts” usually explain in a way that goes straight over my head - simply giving a strategy of using low numbers together and high numbers together makes sense. You have also explained why l sometimes fail to change between gears. l am off for a ride to try it out!
Just got a Trek Marlin 5 after not riding a bike in 20 years and this really helped me understand gears again. All the other videos are a bit over complicated and this really is simple terms. Thank you!
Thank you! Just watched a couple of other videos and your video by far Re: shifting is the best. Just purchased a new bike and wanted to better understand shifting and some people get so bogged down in jargon, they lose their audience. You gave just the basics, I appreciate that. Also, the tone in which you speak assisted. The other videos, they spoke so quickly, it was hard to follow, so thank you!
I'm new to shifters. I will enjoy my new Schwinn even more now that I have a real good grounding in shifter operation thanks to this Bicycles East presentation. Instructor was fantastic! Everything I needed. Practical, easy to understand very well put together. Clearly, you had me in mind. : ) Great job! Thanks
I didn’t learn to ride a bike as a kid and now have a fancy to me bike and struggle with shifting. I don’t ride often enough to have muscle memory established. This video makes me want to ride and has so many good, simple tips that I think I might finally get the hang of shifting. Thanks so much!
Thank you. I have not ridden my bike for a few years, and this was a really helpful refresher on how to change gears. You explained it very well. Thanks again !
This is an excellent video! The pace was really great and the explanations were clear. Just bought a Liv Giant bike after not having ridden for 30 years. I'm ready to take it on!
Thank you so much! I bought my mountain bike second hand when I was maybe 12 and never knew how those work, I don't know why it took me so long to find out but im glad this wonderful video exists ❤
Really excellent video. Actually, one of the best instructional videos I've ever watched. I'll ride (and shift) with more confidence after watching this. Thank you!
I appreciate this info! I'm a long time fixed gear rider and never really cared for gears but getting a little older and need to give my knees a break. This video was very helpful.
Been cycling regularly for over 25 years and consider myself an experienced cyclist. I know how and when to shift and understand high and low and high gears but I guess I never paid attention to the numbers on the shifters. This makes perfect sense. Thank you so much.
I'm 73 and just bought my first bike. Your video is the clearest explanation I've seen yet. I do have a question. Should I move the front gear first before changing the rear, or does it not matter. In other words, if I''m getting ready to go uphill, and I'm in 3 on the left and 6 on the right, should I go to 2 on left and then 5 on right? Thanks.
Just make sure that you are downshifting the right shift out of your highest gear before downshifting the left to second, then downshift the right at least once more before downshifting the left to first. You will have an easier time, slowing the bike down when you downshift the left, but keep in mind that high numbers work well with high numbers, middle numbers work well with middle numbers, and low numbers work well with low numbers. If you are in the highest gear and you want to be in a very low gear, make sure you downshift the right to the second-highest number before downshifting the left to the middle, then downshift the right to the third-highest number before downshifting the left to low gear. In other words, if you have an 18 speed bike in the highest gear (gear 6 on right, gear 3 on left), downshift the right to fifth gear before downshifting the left to second, then downshift the right to fourth gear before downshifting the left to first. Downshifting on both sides will keep you out of a cross chain.
Good overall. Could you add which way you roll the twist shivers for higher or lower gears? I have a second hand bike so no info on the basics of its operation.
Hi Christine, I'm sorry - I just saw this. The right brake controls the rear wheel and the left brake controls the front wheel. The most important thing to know is that you should never use the left/front brake alone. This will stop the front wheel only and the rider, in an extreme situation, can go over the handlebars and become injured. Most of the stopping power is from the front brake. You can either use both brakes at the same time or start with the rear and then add the front. If you use both at the same time, and you still feel like you may go over the front on a hard stop, your local bike shop can re-adjust the power of the brakes. I hope this helps.
Great video! I just bought a new bike with shifters like you have and it is very confusing compared to the bikes I rode as a kid 45 years ago! What is the stand that you have in the back? That allows you to "ride" indoors?
Hello - my apologies for the delayed response - I haven't been on youtube for a while. When there is only one sprocket and gears on one side, you can completely ignore anything related to the second shifter - no concerns regarding cross-chaining or chains falling off. This is a wonderful shifting system that is becoming more common now. The lower number (1) is the easiest gear (used for going up hills) and the highest number has the most resistance and can go the fastest. Your son just finds the gear that is the most comfortable for his legs, and if his legs start going to fast, move to a higher number and if they are moving to slow (it is getting hard), move to an easier number. I hope this helps.
I have a 3x8. I've been biking for nearly a month exclusively on 1x8 since I bought it used and never rode a "modern" Hybrid bike with this sort of shifters. I always thought if you shifted your gears to the most your index fingers could do, that was at it's "easiest" setting. No wonder I bike faster than all my friends on flat stretches of road, but they easily can catch up to me on hills. At this point, I don't know if I can start off easy and then go to hard, it's always been muscle memory for me to go hard.
I’ve been doing the same! I’ve been in 1 and 7 for a month thinking I was in a lowish gear (7 out of 24) on hills and then 2 and 7 (14 on moderate). Feel pretty dumb but I’m glad I’ve learned!
I liked your clear and simple explainations. However, as a long time cyclist, I was taught that the various gears on a bicycle are a tool to use to keep the rider's heartrate or perceived level of exertion in a stable place that the rider could sustain for the planned duration or training goals for the ride. Speed is secondary. As such, I focus on my cadence and shift gears often using both front and rear derailleurs to maintain cadence and perceived level of exertion. I don't think about how fast I will go in x, y, or z gear, but rather can I sustain a comfortable cadence, breathing and heart rate. As I get stronger riding, I will go faster in higher gears at the same cadences.
Bought a 7 speed mountain bike today. Have never rode a geared bicycle before. I watched a bunch of "expert" videos on gear changing before this and they were so indirect and full of jargon that they went straight over my head. You have broken the entire process down into such simple, and easy to understand language. Perfect for beginners like me. Thanks for posting this video. Highly informative.
So helpful for beginners like me! Thanks so much!!😍😍
After watching several videos, this is the only video that actually explains how and when to shift gears!! THANK SO MUCH!!!
That’s unbelievable but so true.
agree , i was in gear 1 in left and 7 in the back , the guy in shop told me that how it works. But after using the bike i feel there is something wrong with gears and pedaling was hard . and this video really explain it for me right
Agreee thank you!
Hello, I just bought a new bike and went for my 1st ride yesterday. I didn’t know what I was doing trying to shift into a comfortable gear for both up hill & down. This video has made SO much sense. Thank you so much for making it with everyday language for us reg blokes 😊
OMG! THANK YOU !! Finally someone who shows the handlebars! When I'm riding I'm not looking at the sprockets. Everyone else shows how the sprockets work. I don't care how they work because I'm not trying to build a bike, I'm trying to ride one! You just simply showed me what button to push and why. Again, thank you for clear communication.
I just bought a bike for first time in years. Getting into cycling and don't know anything. This was a perfect explanation. Thank you
Thank you. Being new to the bike world, I have seen several videos on bicycle gears, and this is by far the best!
AGREED! Thankyou for explaining it in better terms
It really was
Watched several videos on this topic. This is the first one I could understand. Thanks!
This was such a helpful video! My boyfriend just bought be a mountain bike for Christmas and I’ve never owned one so I need all the help I can get. Thanks! The only two videos I’ve come across that have been truly broken down and helpful have both been by women. The videos from “professionals” are not helpful at all.
Very well done. Both my wife and I now understand. That makes you one great teacher!
That was an amazing explanation. Thank you. New to cycling and you have made my life so much easier! Many, many thanks from Wales, UK.
This video was my lightbulb moment, I watched a few videos and this was the one that made sense to me and I now finally understand gears on a bike..🎉
Thank you
I have just watched a dozen videos and this is the first one which has broken it down, so l can understand which gear l need to use!
“Experts” usually explain in a way that goes straight over my head - simply giving a strategy of using low numbers together and high numbers together makes sense.
You have also explained why l sometimes fail to change between gears. l am off for a ride to try it out!
Thank you for the video, I purchased my very first flat bar road bike recently and had no idea how to use the gears. This video is very informative
Best video on changing gears. I’ve watched about 6.
I have ADHD and I have watched lots of videos trying to learn the gears. Yours makes the most sense to me. Thank you so much 😀
Omg so grateful for this video. I actually understood why when and how 👏🏽
Just got a Trek Marlin 5 after not riding a bike in 20 years and this really helped me understand gears again. All the other videos are a bit over complicated and this really is simple terms. Thank you!
Thank you! Just watched a couple of other videos and your video by far Re: shifting is the best. Just purchased a new bike and wanted to better understand shifting and some people get so bogged down in jargon, they lose their audience. You gave just the basics, I appreciate that. Also, the tone in which you speak assisted. The other videos, they spoke so quickly, it was hard to follow, so thank you!
Thank you for explaining gears in simplest way possible.
Best information I have found that is explained slow enough for compression.
I'm new to shifters. I will enjoy my new Schwinn even more now that I have a real good grounding in shifter operation thanks to this Bicycles East presentation. Instructor was fantastic! Everything I needed. Practical, easy to understand very well put together. Clearly, you had me in mind. : ) Great job! Thanks
Thanks for posting a basic and easy video to follow....unlike many on here !!
This is the simplest video to understand from the 3 others I have watched. Thank you
I didn’t learn to ride a bike as a kid and now have a fancy to me bike and struggle with shifting. I don’t ride often enough to have muscle memory established. This video makes me want to ride and has so many good, simple tips that I think I might finally get the hang of shifting. Thanks so much!
Thank you. I have not ridden my bike for a few years, and this was a really helpful refresher on how to change gears. You explained it very well. Thanks again !
This is an excellent video! The pace was really great and the explanations were clear.
Just bought a Liv Giant bike after not having ridden for 30 years. I'm ready to take it on!
Thank you so much! I bought my mountain bike second hand when I was maybe 12 and never knew how those work, I don't know why it took me so long to find out but im glad this wonderful video exists ❤
This was extremely helpful as a newbie! Just ordered my first adult bike and can't wait to get out there!
Indeed this is exactly what we are looking for in such a video
Thank you for taking the time to make this video. Very helpful.
Really excellent video. Actually, one of the best instructional videos I've ever watched. I'll ride (and shift) with more confidence after watching this. Thank you!
Thank you so much. So well explained. Perfect video for beginners. Couldn’t find one for the longest time.
Thank you so much!! You have the best video on gear shifting.
I appreciate this info! I'm a long time fixed gear rider and never really cared for gears but getting a little older and need to give my knees a break. This video was very helpful.
Best video on gear shifting i watched so far on YT. Thanks!
Thank you for explaining this the best way possible.... lower gears go with lower.. higher with higher :) thanks a ton :)
Lovely. Tou made gear shifting so easy and doable... got myself a gt agressor and i can say i now understand gear shifting thanks to you.
You've cleared up some things I just didn't get.
You're awesome!
Thank you.
Thank you for that info very helpful, just have new Trek Fx1 and that video help me and my wife to understand shifting gear very well.
By far the best video in the matter, thanks a lot
This video was everything! You took your time explaining the details and I’m appreciative by far the best video thanks so much!
i'm new to bikes and this video helped me out a lot! thank you very much
Thank you for this videos! Best for newbies like me😀I am so grateful!
I finally found that video ,this is it chain changing 🙌🏾
Great Basic class, have a great day.
Nice, clear and concise, covered everything I wanted to know!
Thank you for taking the time to explain thumb shifters!!!
Finally found a video that can explain it easily. Thank you so much!
Thank you for this video tutorial. Clear, simple and easy to understand - confusion with my bike and and its gears dealt with. Thank you!
that was just what I needed. thank you, you're awesome!
Yes me too ,,, that farther press exactly what i need ,,, my bike was not shift to bigger gear till i saw this perfect explanation
Thank you so much, you've made it so easy for me to understand the gears
Thanks for the video. I recently bought a 3 speed bike, and needed some tips for understanding it.
Thank you for explaining shifting to I could understand it! :D
Informative and explained in a very simple manner. Thank you 🙏
Thanks for simplifying the gear shifting logic!
Been cycling regularly for over 25 years and consider myself an experienced cyclist. I know how and when to shift and understand high and low and high gears but I guess I never paid attention to the numbers on the shifters. This makes perfect sense. Thank you so much.
great video, great explanation. THANK YOU
Excellent video! Thanks!
Best explanation! Thank you.
Great video, learnt heaps!
Thanks so much this video really explained fuller correct shifting
Thank you, new to this and it helped me a lot!!
I'm 73 and just bought my first bike. Your video is the clearest explanation I've seen yet. I do have a question. Should I move the front gear first before changing the rear, or does it not matter. In other words, if I''m getting ready to go uphill, and I'm in 3 on the left and 6 on the right, should I go to 2 on left and then 5 on right? Thanks.
Just make sure that you are downshifting the right shift out of your highest gear before downshifting the left to second, then downshift the right at least once more before downshifting the left to first. You will have an easier time, slowing the bike down when you downshift the left, but keep in mind that high numbers work well with high numbers, middle numbers work well with middle numbers, and low numbers work well with low numbers. If you are in the highest gear and you want to be in a very low gear, make sure you downshift the right to the second-highest number before downshifting the left to the middle, then downshift the right to the third-highest number before downshifting the left to low gear. In other words, if you have an 18 speed bike in the highest gear (gear 6 on right, gear 3 on left), downshift the right to fifth gear before downshifting the left to second, then downshift the right to fourth gear before downshifting the left to first. Downshifting on both sides will keep you out of a cross chain.
excellent educator!
Excellent video, very concise. Thank you!
Thanks a ton. Very informative.
Very informative, thank you!
Perfect so helpful,thank you!!
I learned so much ! thank you
Very helpful thank you so much for breaking this down!
Very well explained. Thanks so much .
Very well done.
This was was helpful. Thanks!
Thank you so much, really well explain, you help me a lots while Im new to this gear bike.
Great video
Thank you very much, very informative.
Thanks for sharing useful.👍💪🏻👋🎉
Excellent!!!
Best video ever!
Is that a Cannondale Quick 5? Very nice color. Thanks for the video. It helped a lot.
This actually helped me understand better, thank you deb you hottie.
really helpful, thank you!
Good overall. Could you add which way you roll the twist shivers for higher or lower gears? I have a second hand bike so no info on the basics of its operation.
Excellent explanation thank you….
Good job!
Great video thanks
I like the video Good Work
This was very helpful, thank you.
That was very good thank you. Could you explain how to use both brakes? Thank you.
Hi Christine, I'm sorry - I just saw this. The right brake controls the rear wheel and the left brake controls the front wheel. The most important thing to know is that you should never use the left/front brake alone. This will stop the front wheel only and the rider, in an extreme situation, can go over the handlebars and become injured. Most of the stopping power is from the front brake. You can either use both brakes at the same time or start with the rear and then add the front. If you use both at the same time, and you still feel like you may go over the front on a hard stop, your local bike shop can re-adjust the power of the brakes. I hope this helps.
@@Bicycleseastgood to know. Very important.
Thank you for this
Great video! I just bought a new bike with shifters like you have and it is very confusing compared to the bikes I rode as a kid 45 years ago! What is the stand that you have in the back? That allows you to "ride" indoors?
Thanks for watching. The stand is called a stationary trainer. Most bicycle shops sell them.
@@Bicycleseast thank you!
I had the same question! So glad I read your comment! 🙏🏾☀️
learned a lot thx for the tips:)
So really well explained.
Nicely explained, thanks.
Very very helpful!
Well explained thanks a lot
My son got a mountain bike with one sprocket & gears shifter on one side. How does that work. BTW it was a gift for Christmas. No instructions.
Hello - my apologies for the delayed response - I haven't been on youtube for a while. When there is only one sprocket and gears on one side, you can completely ignore anything related to the second shifter - no concerns regarding cross-chaining or chains falling off. This is a wonderful shifting system that is becoming more common now. The lower number (1) is the easiest gear (used for going up hills) and the highest number has the most resistance and can go the fastest. Your son just finds the gear that is the most comfortable for his legs, and if his legs start going to fast, move to a higher number and if they are moving to slow (it is getting hard), move to an easier number. I hope this helps.
Thank you!!
I have a 3x8. I've been biking for nearly a month exclusively on 1x8 since I bought it used and never rode a "modern" Hybrid bike with this sort of shifters. I always thought if you shifted your gears to the most your index fingers could do, that was at it's "easiest" setting. No wonder I bike faster than all my friends on flat stretches of road, but they easily can catch up to me on hills. At this point, I don't know if I can start off easy and then go to hard, it's always been muscle memory for me to go hard.
Very well done!
I’ve been doing the same! I’ve been in 1 and 7 for a month thinking I was in a lowish gear (7 out of 24) on hills and then 2 and 7 (14 on moderate).
Feel pretty dumb but I’m glad I’ve learned!
I liked your clear and simple explainations. However, as a long time cyclist, I was taught that the various gears on a bicycle are a tool to use to keep the rider's heartrate or perceived level of exertion in a stable place that the rider could sustain for the planned duration or training goals for the ride. Speed is secondary. As such, I focus on my cadence and shift gears often using both front and rear derailleurs to maintain cadence and perceived level of exertion. I don't think about how fast I will go in x, y, or z gear, but rather can I sustain a comfortable cadence, breathing and heart rate. As I get stronger riding, I will go faster in higher gears at the same cadences.
my trek has the rear brakes on the left and front on the right..