Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Mountain Biking
Reload this Page >

Should a mtn bike be able to shift multiple gears at once?

Notices
Mountain Biking Mountain biking is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Check out this forum to discuss the latest tips, tricks, gear and equipment in the world of mountain biking.

Should a mtn bike be able to shift multiple gears at once?

Old 04-30-06, 09:05 PM
  #1  
Banned
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: New England
Posts: 380

Bikes: 2008 Trek Fuel EX8

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Should a mtn bike be able to shift multiple gears at once?

I'm going to be testing a bike and I need to know if a bike can handle that.

Also - Should it be able to handle it when you put force on the peddles and shift at the same time?

Thanks
legalize is offline  
Old 04-30-06, 09:17 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Sunny Tampa, Florida
Posts: 1,546
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 101 Post(s)
Liked 49 Times in 41 Posts
Some only go one click at a time, either in one direction or both.

You should be able to shift front and back derailleurs at once.

Whether it should be able to handle it is far different from should you do it to any bike, especially if it isn't your own.

The pedals should be moving when you shift and lightly loaded. Dropping to the granny ring under load is just sorta asking for a chainsuck episode.

Be nice to bikes, they'll treat you better for it.

Ron
Ronsonic is offline  
Old 04-30-06, 09:23 PM
  #3  
Banned
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: New England
Posts: 380

Bikes: 2008 Trek Fuel EX8

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanks I've always wondered these things because usually most bikes can't handle it so thats good to know
legalize is offline  
Old 04-30-06, 09:23 PM
  #4  
B*ck From Th* D**d
 
WannaGetGood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Lower Mainland, BC
Posts: 2,527

Bikes: 2015 Kona Process 153

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 6 Posts
Mine can go down by 2 if I want it to. I just need to press harder.
WannaGetGood is offline  
Old 04-30-06, 09:32 PM
  #5  
DEADBEEF
 
khuon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Catching his breath alongside a road near Seattle, WA USA
Posts: 12,234

Bikes: 1999 K2 OzM, 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts
Typically it depends on the shifters. Here's a basic breakdown...
  • Friction Thumbshifter - multiple shifts in both directions are possible but you have to "know how to shift" meaning you need to feel yourself into the gears
  • Indexed Thumbshifter - multiple shifts in both directions are possible and each gear will click into place
  • GripShifters/Twistshifters - same as Indexed Thumbshifters
  • 1st and 2nd Generation RapidFire Shifter and Dual-Control - multiple shifts (usually a limit of 3) in the direction of pull are possible (upshifting chainrings or downshifting cassette for high-normal; upshifting chainrings or upshifting cassette for low-normal) but only a single shift is possible in the cable-release direction (downshifting chainrings or upshifting cassette for high-normal; downshifting chainrings or downshifting cassette for low-normal)
  • 3rd Generation RapidFire Shifter (Dual-Release) - multiple shifts in either direction are possible (usually a limit of three in the pull direction and two in the release direction - shifting direction as per hi/lo-normal biasing)

And as others have said, double-shifting (shifting front and rear simultaneously) is supported but not often recommended... especially under heavy offroad jouncing.
__________________
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
khuon is offline  
Old 04-30-06, 11:49 PM
  #6  
cptn. x-chains sidekick
 
gmoneyhobbit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: san jose, ca
Posts: 455

Bikes: stumpie, xtr, sid, ultimate sd

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by khuon
Typically it depends on the shifters. Here's a basic breakdown...
  • Friction Thumbshifter - multiple shifts in both directions are possible but you have to "know how to shift" meaning you need to feel yourself into the gears
  • Indexed Thumbshifter - multiple shifts in both directions are possible and each gear will click into place
  • GripShifters/Twistshifters - same as Indexed Thumbshifters
  • 1st and 2nd Generation RapidFire Shifter and Dual-Control - multiple shifts (usually a limit of 3) in the direction of pull are possible (upshifting chainrings or downshifting cassette for high-normal; upshifting chainrings or upshifting cassette for low-normal) but only a single shift is possible in the cable-release direction (downshifting chainrings or upshifting cassette for high-normal; downshifting chainrings or downshifting cassette for low-normal)
  • 3rd Generation RapidFire Shifter (Dual-Release) - multiple shifts in either direction are possible (usually a limit of three in the pull direction and two in the release direction - shifting direction as per hi/lo-normal biasing)

And as others have said, double-shifting (shifting front and rear simultaneously) is supported but not often recommended... especially under heavy offroad jouncing.

actually 2nd gen rapid fire shifters allow you to pull 4 gears at a time
gmoneyhobbit is offline  
Old 04-30-06, 11:50 PM
  #7  
hateful little monkey
 
jim-bob's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: oakland, ca
Posts: 5,274
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I can't stand trigger shifters. I'm slowly warming up to indexing, though.
jim-bob is offline  
Old 05-01-06, 12:26 AM
  #8  
DEADBEEF
 
khuon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Catching his breath alongside a road near Seattle, WA USA
Posts: 12,234

Bikes: 1999 K2 OzM, 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts
Originally Posted by gmoneyhobbit
actually 2nd gen rapid fire shifters allow you to pull 4 gears at a time
You're right. However, it does depend. Some versions of RapidFires will allow for different levels of pull per stroke. Regarding the right-hand shifters, my old DeoreDX (RapidFire Gen-1, push-push) and DeoreXT (RapidFire+ Gen-2, push/pull triggers) 7-speed shifters pulled enough for only three rear cogs. My 8-speed DeoreXT and 9-speed DeoreLX, DeoreXT and XTR RapidFire+ 2nd. generation shifters will pull across four. I believe 3rd generations also will do four instead of the three I previously mentioned.
__________________
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
khuon is offline  
Old 05-01-06, 12:29 AM
  #9  
DEADBEEF
 
khuon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Catching his breath alongside a road near Seattle, WA USA
Posts: 12,234

Bikes: 1999 K2 OzM, 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts
Originally Posted by jim-bob
I can't stand trigger shifters. I'm slowly warming up to indexing, though.
I think it's interesting to note that many people criticised Shimano's 1st gen RFs for being push-push which is why they came out with triggers on the RF+. Now it seems everyone's excited about having a pushable extension for the release. Shimano's new Dual-Release and Dual-Control levers as well as SRAM's trigger shifters allow you to push for release.
__________________
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
khuon is offline  
Old 05-01-06, 12:33 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 84
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
what do you mean push to release, same as push-push?

release tension, and switch a gear?
sphynx_000 is offline  
Old 05-01-06, 12:37 AM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 1,398
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
3 clicks ...

Originally Posted by khuon

And as others have said, double-shifting (shifting front and rear simultaneously) is supported but not often recommended... especially under heavy offroad jouncing.
I do it all the time. For me it's critical to switching rings without changing the gearing ratio. On Gripshift it is easy, just do three clicks simultaneously on both shifters in the same direction. That is, either throttle towards yourself with both hands or throttle away from yourself with both hands ... 3 clicks. Depending on your cassette/ring setup, your mileage may vary.
willtsmith_nwi is offline  
Old 05-01-06, 12:50 AM
  #12  
hateful little monkey
 
jim-bob's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: oakland, ca
Posts: 5,274
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by khuon
I think it's interesting to note that many people criticised Shimano's 1st gen RFs for being push-push which is why they came out with triggers on the RF+. Now it seems everyone's excited about having a pushable extension for the release. Shimano's new Dual-Release and Dual-Control levers as well as SRAM's trigger shifters allow you to push for release.
I still haven't used a finer shifter than the first-gen XC Pro thumbshifters. Mmmm, retrofriction.
jim-bob is offline  
Old 05-01-06, 02:02 AM
  #13  
DEADBEEF
 
khuon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Catching his breath alongside a road near Seattle, WA USA
Posts: 12,234

Bikes: 1999 K2 OzM, 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts
Originally Posted by willtsmith_nwi
I do it all the time.
I do it often too but there is a greater risk of throwing a chain when doing so.
__________________
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
khuon is offline  
Old 05-01-06, 02:06 AM
  #14  
DEADBEEF
 
khuon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Catching his breath alongside a road near Seattle, WA USA
Posts: 12,234

Bikes: 1999 K2 OzM, 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts
Originally Posted by sphynx_000
what do you mean push to release, same as push-push?

release tension, and switch a gear?
Yes. Push to release means you push on a button/lever in order to release the cable tension. Older first generation RapidFire shifters had a release button positioned over the pull-lever. You pushed on the cable-pull lever to pull the cable and you pushed the button to release the tension. Shimano then switched to using a trigger which you pulled to released the tension. The latest generation of RapidFires allow you to do either. You can push or pull on the release lever. And it has a double-throw meaning you can push or pull further to release enough cable to shift up to two cogs at a time.
__________________
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
khuon is offline  
Old 05-01-06, 07:32 AM
  #15  
Banned
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: New England
Posts: 380

Bikes: 2008 Trek Fuel EX8

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
wow the world of gears is quite complicated
legalize is offline  
Old 05-01-06, 09:12 AM
  #16  
DEADBEEF
 
khuon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Catching his breath alongside a road near Seattle, WA USA
Posts: 12,234

Bikes: 1999 K2 OzM, 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts
Originally Posted by jim-bob
I still haven't used a finer shifter than the first-gen XC Pro thumbshifters. Mmmm, retrofriction.
The XC Pro topmounts were indeed great shifters. I liked them better than the DeoreII/DeoreXT topmounts as quality goes. PowerRatchet (aka RetroFriction) was wonderful but unfortunately SunTour's introduction of indexed shifting ala Accushift was far less than spectacular.
__________________
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
khuon is offline  
Old 05-01-06, 11:51 AM
  #17  
Senior Member
 
concernicus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Santa Cruz
Posts: 425

Bikes: doesnt matter. just ride.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
i can move down three gears at one time with my deore triggers/xt rd
concernicus is offline  
Old 05-01-06, 05:07 PM
  #18  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 7
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Why would you want to shift the front gear and rear gears at once? You would kill the transmission.
henrymchugh is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.