Road Cycling - Newbie Question No. 3: Gear Changing

Some basic advice on gear shifting technique would be appreciated. I am new to cycling, and have an Ultegra groupset on my Trek 1500. When on a chainring, I can generally manage to shift up and down without any problem. The problem comes when shifting between chainrings.

Experience suggests that shifting from the big to the small chainring is most effective when in one of the middle gears. In a high or low gear, either the chain comes off, or the shift is not complete, and it takes a few attempts to get it back to normal.

However, in order to shift successfully, you have to know what gear you are already in. I can generally only do this either by shifting up or down as far as it will go, and then shifting back 4 or 5 gears, or else looking down at the rear cassette, which is not always a good idea.

Also, the highest gear on the small chainring and the lowest gear on the big chainring tend to rattle, and the chain doesn't seem to move as smoothly (presumably because it is slightly twisted in this position) reducing the efficiency of pedalling.

Does anyone have any suggestions on technique for when to shift, which gears to be in when shifting between the big and small chainrings, and how to identify which chainring and which gear you are currently in without looking down at them?

Ross

i think you got it.

I only change chainrings when on the middle cogs.

If i go from big to small, i shift one cog smaller, and vice versa.

Originally posted by RossB
Also, the highest gear on the small chainring and the lowest gear on the big chainring tend to rattle, and the chain doesn't seem to move as smoothly (presumably because it is slightly twisted in this position) reducing the efficiency of pedalling. You are correct. This is called cross chaining and it is not reccommended as it is very bad for all parts involved. Try and keep the chain line straight (find a quiet road where you can look down at the chain safely and experiment)

As to knowing what gear you are in, over time you will be able to tell just by your speed and cadence(pedal speed) to your approximate gear.

Brendon

I am also new to cycling. I seldom change the chainring or I am reluntant to do so (I don't know when I should do so). I usually shift between high and low gears of the rear cog if I want to reduce or increase speed while I am riding on flat roads.

Knowing you are talking about gear shifting technique, can anyone tell me when I need to shift between big and small chainrings? Thanks.

You shift between chain rings when you are cross chaining. In other words, if you're on your big chainring in front and biggest ring in the back, you'll see that the chain isn't really straight. It's at an angle that's inneficient and tough on the bike. So, don't ride in a 53x24. Shift to your small chainring instead and find the equivilant gear.

As a general rule, if you find yourself riding uphill or into a headwind, you will probably want to be in the small chainring and the top half of the cogset. If you're riding flats or downhill, you want to be in the big ring up front and the bottom half of your cassette.

In a high or low gear, either the chain comes off, or the shift is not complete, and it takes a few attempts to get it back to normal.

I don't know how long you've had the bike, but maybe it's time to have the cables looked at. As they stretch over time, the deraileurs need to be adjusted. If the chain comes off, it sounds like the limiters on the front der. are also off, which allows the FD to push the chain off the chainrings.

These adjustments are usually free for about a month after you buy the bike, or maybe up to a year if you have a really good relationship with your shop.