Originally Posted by
Metallifan33
So when I shift into the small ring in a climb, it's such a drastic change that I spin my legs like an idiot while I shift the RD back into a harder gear.
Is there a better technique to this? When I shift into the big ring, I simultaneously shift the RD 3 times and by the time it takes for the FD to get the chain on the big ring, I'm comfortably in a gear on the RD that makes it all a smooth transition.... Shifting in to the small ring... not so much; the change from the big ring to the small ring happens so fast that I don't have time to make the change on the RD (without stressing the gears by shifting under power).
To make matters worse, it's usually when climbing up a hill and I lose some amount of momentum doing it.
Any tips on shifting to the small ring efficiently for a climb?
Same as when you shift to the big ring, you need to compensate on the RD. I usually shift a couple of gears just before dropping into the little ring, usually puts me right about where I want to be. Or, I'll hit the hill in the big ring and wait until my cadence slows down enough and then drop to the little ring. Just takes practice to get a feel for where you need to be depending on the grade.