Originally Posted by
joedab
[COLOR=#222222][FONT=arial]I wouldn't say I am shifting improperly as this would be the method with only one front chainring, though I can see how leveraging the chain against cogs with more teeth would put less wear on the drivetrain over time. I usually don't encounter enough long downhills to necessitate shifting to the larger ring, and with my shifters on the downtube, I have become accustomed to keeping my left hand on the bars while sparing my right for the shifting.
Sounds like a lot of screwing around to avoid using the lever that is 1 inch from the right one, which you can even use your right hand to shift.
On most rolling rides the front shifting provides a more useful shift than going up and down the rear cogs.
Maybe the "novice" can learn to use the gears properly. If not, how about not bothering with a road bike and just getting and upright with an internal 3 speed? I don't understand putting someone on a specialized road racing bicycle and then discouraging them from using it properly.