Road Cycling - Shifters on down tube make balance difficult

Newbie post #3...

My Trek 2000 is an older model and the shifters are on the down tube. This makes balance a challenge when shifting, especially on the hoods and drops. Any suggestions? It is wisest to just just shift with one hand on the top of the bar and save hood and drop shifting for later when I'm more used to the bike? etc etc etc

After riding my MB I felt kinda awkward shifting on my down tube. I am right handed & it was easier in the beginning to use it for both sides. I don't know which is wisest, but I can honestly say that now, I feel comfortable using my left hand for the left shifter.

I always had a habit of sitting up before I shifted. That way I didnt have too much pressure on one bar or another.

I think it helps to practice using your abs to support your body when you reach down to shift , instead of putting weight of the bars. Your hand that is on the bars should be for steering and not for supporting your weight.

The more you do it the more natural it becomes. I have used mostly downtube shifters since the early 70's and still use them today and I do not encounter any balancing problems, and I can shift while sitting upright either on the hoods or bars or in an aero position while in the drops. Of course you should use your left hand for the left shifter and your right hand for the right shifter. Must people today have never used DT shifters thus are totally befuddled over using them, but don't forget prior to 1985 everyone used these with no problems.

Originally posted by Castanza
[B I am right handed & it was easier in the beginning to use it for both sides. I don't know which is wisest, but I can honestly say that now, I feel comfortable using my left hand for the left shifter. [/B] I have D/tube sis shifters on my #1 bike & D/T friction on the "other one" I use my right hand mostly for front & back shifters & when the occasion occors change both at the same time with the one hand , it becomes second nature to the state that you dont even think about it , the same as some people are good with their keyboard skills ,it all comes with use :thumbup:

I use my right hand for most gear changes, and Ive been using DT since 1979. Ive even perfected a simultaneous front and rear shift with one hand.
I find it easiest to dip my torso down a little, so I dont stretch my arms. This also lowers my centre of gravity, improving balance. I dont really use my abs or back muscles to provide much support when Im riding, I guess Im using balance and my arms. Ive recently started swiming again, and have put on quite a bit of muscle on my torso which I never use when cycling.