Something I just learned the hard way is that the wheels can wear out. And this can affect what gears you use. What happens over time is the spokes get soft and flex beyond adjustment. And this destroys power generation. The local bike shop told me the wheel were beyond adjustment. Their repair was going to be about $360. Rather than buy new wheels myself on Amazon, I opted for a new bike at $399. But in my case on a 27 inch bike I could have replaced the wheels and freewheel for about $155. My thoughts were that I still had an old bike. I may do it anyway for a backup. A lot of people do put on new wheels and Amazon prices look pretty good.. Hey, the new bike is a lot easier to peddle. As for shifting, I shift a lot. I ride 6.3 miles RT every day on a flat river-side trail. I want as little peddle pressure as possible at all times and never coast. I do not wear toe clips for safety reasons. Don't fool yourself. Even veteran riders fall with those things. But my shifting follows the wind. If I have a 20 to 30 second wind speed increase or decrease, I shift up or down. I want that steady almost no pressure peddling at all times and I try to hold 12 MPH on my bike calculator. Not bad for an old dude who has run over 11,000 miles at ages 77 to 81 (now). My wife at 82 rides along with me every day too. That is how you stay young. My dad was doing it into his 90's.
I was completely unaware of concepts such as "cross chaining" and "load bearing shift". I've ridden a bike on and off for many years and have been guilty of both malpractices. I'm now in my mid 60s , have just bought a new bike and decided to look on YT for some tips. Never too old to learn - sheesh, I've already learnt two things today. Many thanks. I've subscribed to your channel and will be exploring it for other little gems.
Wow! sounds like me. Decided to get back into cycling in my sixties. Bought two new bikes last year and am using clip-less pedals for the first time, too. Loving it!
I am in the same boat, Jock! I am a 55 yo biker and have been riding for a long time. Learning these two things has made all the difference in my riding. Thank you, Brandon!
I was searching on Google for like hours trying to learn how to use my gears properly. By far this is the only video that has really step by step broke it down and taught me not just the mechanics but how to finally use my gears correctly. thank you so much, definite like and sub from me!
I haven't ridden a bike in over 20 years. I decided on a whim to dust off the bike and take it for a spin. After struggling with a hill I decided to check out UA-cam since I never learned how to shift gears. This was very helpful. By the way, I was too self-conscious to try this on the road so I flipped the bike over and practiced that way to see how it actually works. Thanks!
Good explanation: I learned to shift road gears by remembering that the bigger lever=bigger sprockets, smaller lever=smaller sprockets-That should be easy to remember.
*I really like the **Latest.Bike** . It is just amazing... very light weight so it is easy to take it upstairs in the apartment where I live. It looks great and it feels great while riding. I definitely recommend this bike. You won’t be disappointed 🙂*
In A Simple Sentence…… The higher the gear, the harder the pedal but you're bicycle speed will run much faster..... The Lower the gear, the easier for you to pedal but you're bicycle speed will run like medium Slow
I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS VIDEO THANK GOODNESS everything else just talks about the mechanics and not the user end, and almost nothing explains what down-shifting and up-shifting actually corresponds to in terms of the numbers up at the handlebars. YOU ARE A GODSEND thank you!!
This is great, thank you very much. I am new to cycling after being away from it for 25 years and much has changed. You have hit many points that I was thinking about.
I just started riding and this was by far the best explanation on shifting. I know it sounds so dumb but I could not find a video that explained how to shift up the cassette so clearly. Thanks for taking the time to make this video
I just got a new to me bike and haven't ridden in a couple of years. This bike has shift levers like you described so I need to learn how to use them. Best video I've watched to describe practically and non technically what the heck I'm supposed to do! My old bike had the levers on the down tube which I was so used to. So hope I can get used to these! Practice and fun! Thanks again!
Very good video. I really appreciate the opening segment, identifying the various parts of the drive train and specifically noting which levers are used to move the chain up or down the cassette. I have watched at least 12 similar videos and not one of them gave as detailed an explanation on gear shifting as yours. Thank you! I haven't ridden a bike in a long time and bikes have really changed, but with a few more of your videos I'll get there! Thanks again!
Wow thanks purchased my first endurance racer two weeks ago. Seen many vids on utube, some not enough info others too complicated to understand.. This video was great.. Thankyou now i have a idea on shifting..
One of the best videos I have watched explaining this matter, also I am thankful that you mentioned what does it actually mean to shift up or down, the graphical demonstration made it a lot easier to understand.
I gave this a 👍, but MAN, it sure woulda been much clearer if you’d’ve inserted visuals (stills or video) of the gears and derailleurs as you were going. But I admire anyone who tries to help noobs in ANY endeavor on this platform, so 👏👏
Thank you!!! I am a extreme beginner and I just got a bike. Shifting is very confusing but you made it easy to understand. Now I have to get more on the road. I think my bike was cross chaining. I was on the small asset and the smallest ring in the bike and it would click everytime I pedal.
Haven't been on a bike in over 30yrs.. That's about to change 🙄 This is the best explanation of gears on you tube and this 51yr old novice cyclist thanks you for that! 👍 Subscribed.
Thanks! It’s interesting how many people still kind of just want to be told exactly what gear to be in. There’s some sort of lack of understanding that everything is subjective (gear ratios, weight of rider/bike, strength, rolling resistance of the bike, etc.)
Wow. Clear. Basic. Comprehensive. You do a great job of demystifying the nuances of shifting. I really learned a lot and I can't wait to get out again and start approaching a hill.
Thank you for an excellent training video. I started out a little over optimistic yesterday, getting stuck twice with less than stellar muscles and shifting skills going uphill. With your good advice I'm going out today to an easier trail to get to know the bike and the feel of shifting. Thank you!
Really great explaining, I’ve been riding for a couple of years but not understanding the gears so it has been frustrating at times. I could never climb a hill as easily as my friends even though I am quite fit. You’ve given me some useful advice which I plan to implement next ride.
Thank you very much for your help, your explanations were very clear and informative. I am no longer able to ride bikes, but my wife has recently bought a Cannondale Synapse to compete in a triathlon, she is not very bike savvy and your video has come in very useful, boy, bikes have changed a lot since I used to have one.
Wow that was great and answered quite a lot of my questions. I have two quick questions if you have the timeAssume I have 3 front Chain rings ( 42,32,22) and 8 Cogs ( 34,30,26,22....11)1) Cross ChainingWould this assumption be correct to prevent cross chaining (ideal mix & match) .22 Chain ring(CR) should only be used with ( 34,30,26 cogs)32 CR only with ( 18 to 11 cogs)42 CR only with ( 15 to 11 cogs)2) Ideal gear setting for Flat terrain while using bike for fitness training ( that's what I intent to use my bike for) what should be the ideal gear to start on a flat before working my way up to faster gear32 CR 18 Cog ? and then work my way to something like 32 CR 11 Cog ?Someone suggested its better fitness regime to go faster with increasing cadence than trying to make the pedaling harder by going to lower gear ratio like 22 CR 34 CogThanks in advance
Watched your video several times just so it was soaked in (right/rear) and went out for my first ride and remembered 80% of the advice you gave. Came home and watched it again to pick up where I made mistakes on the ride. Thank you for the easy explanations on the nuances. Now do you have a video on clipping in/un clipping? LOL!!
+GEARIST quick newbie question, if I shift my weight off my seat and backwards, do I lose momentum going down a hill vs is it better to stay seated and just lower my riding position?
Great video and job well done on explaining this topic. I really found it beneficial that you take the time to explain the parts and terms of a shifting mechanism. Thank you.
Wow! This was in-depth and so helpful. I've never understood shifting gears but I tried today and felt like I was doing it right for the first time. Thank you!
Yikes I am getting my back in a few days. This is the best gear shifting video I have watched. And I have seen some good ones. Notice how he answered question like gearing increments and equivalency. Good work!
amazing vid explaining great shifts. i only ever kinda knew about how the rear ones worked but never how they worked WITH the front ones. very helpful! thanks! I'm saving this for later too.
Thank you. I finally got a road bike and this was very helpful. I learned from another video that I have the wrong air pump! I am making progress towards getting out there.
I am a beginner on montain bike! You are very good in explanation, yours is the best l found on here.hopefully listening your video more times l will learn.thank you! from ltaly
this was an excellent explaination that really really made sense to me. Super applicable. I have been riding for a while but to really made it make sense finally. Thankyou
On my compact with 14-28 I tend to stay on the 34 tooth chainring up to gear 6 out of 7 on the back because the chainline is such that the chainrings are further out. The problem is that the 50 tooth chainring then requires me to go back to the 3rd gear on the back for the next logical shift increment, which is a bit annoying having to make 3 shifts on the back. I could get the same range of gears with a single 39 and an 11 speed 32-11 and not have this problem.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #30 ДВА В ОДНОМ [Один человек]• Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/nrXy15orKhY/mqdefault.jpg)
Something I just learned the hard way is that the wheels can wear out. And this can affect what gears you use. What happens over time is the spokes get soft and flex beyond adjustment. And this destroys power generation. The local bike shop told me the wheel were beyond adjustment. Their repair was going to be about $360. Rather than buy new wheels myself on Amazon, I opted for a new bike at $399. But in my case on a 27 inch bike I could have replaced the wheels and freewheel for about $155. My thoughts were that I still had an old bike. I may do it anyway for a backup. A lot of people do put on new wheels and Amazon prices look pretty good.. Hey, the new bike is a lot easier to peddle.
As for shifting, I shift a lot. I ride 6.3 miles RT every day on a flat river-side trail. I want as little peddle pressure as possible at all times and never coast. I do not wear toe clips for safety reasons. Don't fool yourself. Even veteran riders fall with those things. But my shifting follows the wind. If I have a 20 to 30 second wind speed increase or decrease, I shift up or down. I want that steady almost no pressure peddling at all times and I try to hold 12 MPH on my bike calculator. Not bad for an old dude who has run over 11,000 miles at ages 77 to 81 (now). My wife at 82 rides along with me every day too. That is how you stay young. My dad was doing it into his 90's.
I was completely unaware of concepts such as "cross chaining" and "load bearing shift". I've ridden a bike on and off for many years and have been guilty of both malpractices. I'm now in my mid 60s , have just bought a new bike and decided to look on YT for some tips. Never too old to learn - sheesh, I've already learnt two things today. Many thanks. I've subscribed to your channel and will be exploring it for other little gems.
Wow! sounds like me. Decided to get back into cycling in my sixties. Bought two new bikes last year and am using clip-less pedals for the first time, too. Loving it!
I am in the same boat, Jock! I am a 55 yo biker and have been riding for a long time. Learning these two things has made all the difference in my riding. Thank you, Brandon!
It doesn't really matter actually. Cross chaining is not a problem
i am a beginner and you have explained it very well. Excellent video.
+Mizzbonni channel Thanks!
Totally agree!!! Very clear and instructional ... thanks a lot.
Best video out there for explaining so simply. Thank you ✌️
Finally! Someone who addresses all parts to shifting. Only taken me 3 days trawling google and youtube to find this lol
So happy to have helped you! We hope you'll subscribe and tell your friends!
GEARIST
Same!!!
I agree!
True, I have watched many videos about this and this is the best one explaining it.
I was searching on Google for like hours trying to learn how to use my gears properly. By far this is the only video that has really step by step broke it down and taught me not just the mechanics but how to finally use my gears correctly. thank you so much, definite like and sub from me!
Out of the popular videos that tried explaining this concept, you’re the only person that actually explained how the button pressing works. Thanks !
I haven't ridden a bike in over 20 years. I decided on a whim to dust off the bike and take it for a spin. After struggling with a hill I decided to check out UA-cam since I never learned how to shift gears. This was very helpful. By the way, I was too self-conscious to try this on the road so I flipped the bike over and practiced that way to see how it actually works.
Thanks!
I’ve been looking for a video that pertains gear shifting, lo and behold, I may have found the best person who explain on bike shifting. Nice video.
Good explanation: I learned to shift road gears by remembering that the bigger lever=bigger sprockets, smaller lever=smaller sprockets-That should be easy to remember.
*I really like the **Latest.Bike** . It is just amazing... very light weight so it is easy to take it upstairs in the apartment where I live. It looks great and it feels great while riding. I definitely recommend this bike. You won’t be disappointed 🙂*
In A Simple Sentence……
The higher the gear, the harder the pedal but you're bicycle speed will run much faster.....
The Lower the gear, the easier for you to pedal but you're bicycle speed will run like medium Slow
PaulVlu This is literally all I needed to read/hear
PaulVlu so if cycling uphill should my gear be high or low?
Ammaar Patel low
Well said Paul!!
I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS VIDEO THANK GOODNESS everything else just talks about the mechanics and not the user end, and almost nothing explains what down-shifting and up-shifting actually corresponds to in terms of the numbers up at the handlebars. YOU ARE A GODSEND thank you!!
This is great, thank you very much. I am new to cycling after being away from it for 25 years and much has changed. You have hit many points that I was thinking about.
That's the best explanations I found so far. 67 year young and still learning, thanks very much, I'll enjoy biking even more from now on !
Thank you so much! My son is a beginner and didn't know how to shift but now that I showed him this he knows how to shift!
I just started riding and this was by far the best explanation on shifting. I know it sounds so dumb but I could not find a video that explained how to shift up the cassette so clearly. Thanks for taking the time to make this video
I just got a new to me bike and haven't ridden in a couple of years. This bike has shift levers like you described so I need to learn how to use them. Best video I've watched to describe practically and non technically what the heck I'm supposed to do! My old bike had the levers on the down tube which I was so used to. So hope I can get used to these! Practice and fun! Thanks again!
I'm a beginner and this was really helpful in understanding my bike to get better as riding.
Thank you! All other vids on youtube assume that you've ridden a road bike before and are as clear as mud. This is really helpful!
Very good video. I really appreciate the opening segment, identifying the various parts of the drive train and specifically noting which levers are used to move the chain up or down the cassette. I have watched at least 12 similar videos and not one of them gave as detailed an explanation on gear shifting as yours. Thank you! I haven't ridden a bike in a long time and bikes have really changed, but with a few more of your videos I'll get there! Thanks again!
Wow thanks purchased my first endurance racer two weeks ago.
Seen many vids on utube,
some not enough info others too complicated to understand..
This video was great..
Thankyou now i have a idea on shifting..
Best video on youtube teaching the basics of shifting for beginners like me. Thanks a lot!
+Mario Bryan Tan So glad you enjoyed it!
I agree!
One of the best videos I have watched explaining this matter, also I am thankful that you mentioned what does it actually mean to shift up or down, the graphical demonstration made it a lot easier to understand.
I gave this a 👍, but MAN, it sure woulda been much clearer if you’d’ve inserted visuals (stills or video) of the gears and derailleurs as you were going.
But I admire anyone who tries to help noobs in ANY endeavor on this platform, so 👏👏
Damn! I was looking for a video like this everywhere. The graphics were very helpful to understand the cross chainning thing. Thank you!
+zizou2188 So glad you enjoyed it!
yes cross chainring is dangerous but sometimes it accidentally happening in the hidden road like under the bridges
Thank you!!! I am a extreme beginner and I just got a bike. Shifting is very confusing but you made it easy to understand. Now I have to get more on the road.
I think my bike was cross chaining. I was on the small asset and the smallest ring in the bike and it would click everytime I pedal.
Great video. Perfect for all new riders. In fact, it’s a must watch for all new riders.
Very good explanation. I have never been shifting properly. This make good sense
Haven't been on a bike in over 30yrs.. That's about to change 🙄
This is the best explanation of gears on you tube and this 51yr old novice cyclist thanks you for that! 👍
Subscribed.
One of the better explanations on UA-cam for us beginners
It's the best video I have ever seen for beginners! Thank you for keeping it simple!
Thanks so much!
Finally a video I actually understand!!! Total beginner in need. Thank you
Outstanding, particularly the practical advice about learning at the 13-minute mark or so. Thanks much!
Thanks! It’s interesting how many people still kind of just want to be told exactly what gear to be in. There’s some sort of lack of understanding that everything is subjective (gear ratios, weight of rider/bike, strength, rolling resistance of the bike, etc.)
Great tutorial; Thanks a million.
Wow. Clear. Basic. Comprehensive. You do a great job of demystifying the nuances of shifting. I really learned a lot and I can't wait to get out again and start approaching a hill.
this is really well explained and detailed information for beginners like me. thanks
Glad it was helpful!
just got myself a merida schutura 400 and your explanation is indeed superb thanks
Such a good explanation on using gears! Thank you.
Thanks so much. Have a blast on your bike!
I'm a beginner and want to learn more about bike riding. I'm doing it to strengthen my legs. I'm actually a runner, and this is new to me.
Thank you for an excellent training video. I started out a little over optimistic yesterday, getting stuck twice with less than stellar muscles and shifting skills going uphill. With your good advice I'm going out today to an easier trail to get to know the bike and the feel of shifting. Thank you!
Probably the best video on Gear shifting basics!! Thank you so much
Excellent illustrations, simple explanations, superb production... Great vid for beginners like me! Thanks!
+Jj Lopez Thank you so much!
Really great explaining, I’ve been riding for a couple of years but not understanding the gears so it has been frustrating at times. I could never climb a hill as easily as my friends even though I am quite fit. You’ve given me some useful advice which I plan to implement next ride.
Thank you very much for your help, your explanations were very clear and informative. I am no longer able to ride bikes, but my wife has recently bought a Cannondale Synapse to compete in a triathlon, she is not very bike savvy and your video has come in very useful, boy, bikes have changed a lot since I used to have one.
Wow that was great and answered quite a lot of my questions.
I have two quick questions if you have the timeAssume I have 3 front Chain rings ( 42,32,22) and 8 Cogs ( 34,30,26,22....11)1) Cross ChainingWould this assumption be correct to prevent cross chaining (ideal mix & match) .22 Chain ring(CR) should only be used with ( 34,30,26 cogs)32 CR only with ( 18 to 11 cogs)42 CR only with ( 15 to 11 cogs)2) Ideal gear setting for Flat terrain
while using bike for fitness training ( that's what I intent to use my bike for) what should be the ideal gear to start on a flat before working my way up to faster gear32 CR 18 Cog ? and then work my way to something like 32 CR 11 Cog ?Someone suggested its better fitness regime to go faster with increasing cadence than trying to make the pedaling harder by going to lower gear ratio like 22 CR 34 CogThanks in advance
Thank You...gonna go ride my bike now that I know how to shift!
Great video! Absolutely fantastic job explaining gear shifting. The best I've seen on You Tube. Thanks so much
Thank you so much! Have fun out there and please let us know if there is anything else you'd like to see.
Thank you so much. I've never understood gears and now I do :)
Extremely helpful. Finally a video that helps!
And easier to follow 👍
Just got my own mountain bike and this video really helped with basic bike stuff. Nice job!
Most informative video I've seen on this topic and I've been searching
Thanks so much!
Excellent presentation the best I’ve seen about gearshifting on UA-cam
Watched your video several times just so it was soaked in (right/rear) and went out for my first ride and remembered 80% of the advice you gave. Came home and watched it again to pick up where I made mistakes on the ride. Thank you for the easy explanations on the nuances. Now do you have a video on clipping in/un clipping? LOL!!
Awesome! We'll do a clipping in and out video soon. It's pretty straightforward but seeing it may be better than conceptualizing it in text.
+GEARIST quick newbie question, if I shift my weight off my seat and backwards, do I lose momentum going down a hill vs is it better to stay seated and just lower my riding position?
Man you are a life saver!! You have no idea how much help this video is.
Awesome video, it's given me a lot of insight (as a new cyclist) on how to think about gearshifts. Thanks!
+89KFitz Our pleasure!
Great video and job well done on explaining this topic. I really found it beneficial that you take the time to explain the parts and terms of a shifting mechanism. Thank you.
I was looking everywhere for this video and finally i found it thanks a lot Gearist you help a lot
Thanks, this helped so much more than hearing an hour long explanation from my dad that sounded like gibberish.
SOOOOO glad I watched this. Best explanation of gear shifting for a beginner. Much more confident now, THANK YOU!!!
Very well explained, the best I have seen . Thank you !
Wow! This was in-depth and so helpful. I've never understood shifting gears but I tried today and felt like I was doing it right for the first time. Thank you!
Thank you for a great explanation of gear shifting. It's made me lose that fear of making a mess of changing gears up hill!
Best explanations on shifting gears !! Thank you very much !
Yikes I am getting my back in a few days. This is the best gear shifting video I have watched. And I have seen some good ones. Notice how he answered question like gearing increments and equivalency. Good work!
Very informative! I need to know how to use bicycle gears because I am going to order a new bicycle soon! Thank you for helping me.
Absolutely excellent speaker! His explanations are the best I've heard.
Awesome explanation !
Brilliant video, I've looked a lot to understand how to work the gears on my new bike, this was an excellent explanation, thank you.
amazing vid explaining great shifts. i only ever kinda knew about how the rear ones worked but never how they worked WITH the front ones. very helpful! thanks! I'm saving this for later too.
Thank you. I finally got a road bike and this was very helpful. I learned from another video that I have the wrong air pump! I am making progress towards getting out there.
You have made things easy to understand, remember and apply in this video. I just bought two new bikes, FX2 Disc. Liked and subscribed. Thank you.
Great video, covered it all. Now I just wait for my bike to come
This is everything I needed!! ❤❤❤❤
New road bike owner: Thanks for the tips
Excellent, easy to understand video, I'll definitely watch it again still need a little more clarification, thanks
I am a total beginner. I really appreciate your explanation. Thank you!
Cracked my read derailleur last week. Video was helpful.
You cracked the derailleur of the derailleur hanger? So glad to have helped!
Derailleur. Had it replaced and now I learned to properly change gears by being proactive, instead of shifting under load.
Being new to cycling this really helped. Thanks
I am a beginner on montain bike! You are very good in explanation, yours is the best l found on here.hopefully listening your video more times l will learn.thank you! from ltaly
This is the best video i watch about shifting.. i feel relax and full of information about all the explanation.. thank you sir 😍🥰🙏❤️
Thanks so much! Best video so far on this topic!
excellent! took me a while to find what I was looking for - this presentation was perfect for me. Great job - thanks!
now i know how to change gear .when up to hill.thanks for this clear explanation
Fantastic! Best explanation I have come across.
Great video, concise with all the information about the subject! Thanks!
just one word.... Excellent!
this was an excellent explaination that really really made sense to me. Super applicable. I have been riding for a while but to really made it make sense finally. Thankyou
This is very helpful. Thanks for the clear instructions.
Our pleasure! We hope you liked it enough to subscribe to our channel!
Thanks so much for this informative and clear instruction, this is exactly what I need as a beginner.
Great video! Thx for being so clear
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and techniques.
No problem!
This is so very awesomely succinctly and sublimely understandable and well explained..... thanks so much
Excellent vid.....good info and well presented...concise and clear. and useful....Thanks
Thank you. This was a very informative video.
Awesome awesome video! Very informative for us beginners!
Perfect explanation and can't wait to receive my Merida schutura 400 nx week :)
Succinct, and clear. Well explained. Thank you
No BS. Straight talking and explanatory and short. I’ll be showing this to the missus later!
On my compact with 14-28 I tend to stay on the 34 tooth chainring up to gear 6 out of 7 on the back because the chainline is such that the chainrings are further out. The problem is that the 50 tooth chainring then requires me to go back to the 3rd gear on the back for the next logical shift increment, which is a bit annoying having to make 3 shifts on the back.
I could get the same range of gears with a single 39 and an 11 speed 32-11 and not have this problem.
Great video - finally found a clear and complete explanation on shifting - thanks!