necrowinter

Bike: Specialized tricross (2012 I think, if not 2013 mostly the same IIRC)

When I shift up from 1 (easiest gear in the front) to goto 2, the chain falls off or has a lot of trouble getting in place. When I shift from 1-3 it works fine. I usually have to shift 1 3 2.

The bike was never very good with the first gear, it used to not be able to go down, I went to the shop they fixed that for free because I just recently bought it. The down issue is completely resolved, but it always had issues going up and unfortunately I forgot to mention that to the guy who repairs stuff. I just want suggestions as to what could be the problem.

When I was riding today though, I noticed that when I had the back gear somewhere towards its middle gear (my bike doesnt use numbers so I have to guess) it shifted from 1 to 2 easily, but the only time I really use the first gear is when the first is in 1 and the back is in 1. This isnt cross chaining as its completely straight and not "crossed."

Am I simply not using my gears correctly, or is there an actual problem?

FBinNY 

Front derailleurs these days have ramps shaped onto the inner plate. These lift or wedge the chain up to large rings. For these to work right the FD has to be mounted at the right height (2mm above the outer ring if using the OEM ring) and aligned correctly.

I'd bring it back and let a pro check all the adjustments. There might also be issues of trim adjustment or cable friction making smooth shifts difficult.

If you want to try something at home, hang the bike so the rear wheel is off the ground, and try shifting. Also try shifting by pulling the gear wire away from the frame at the down tube, and see if the action is smooth and clean, or if it fights you than overshoots.

Al1943

Your front derailleur may need to be adjusted a slight amount. The front gears are called chainrings, the rear gears are called cogs.
When shifting the front from 1 to 2 (smallest ring to middle ring) and the chain "falls off", does it fall back toward the smallest chain ring (1)? If so it's most likely that the shift cable needs to have more tension (shortened). There is probably a barrel adjuster for making this change. Somewhere between the shifter and the front derailleur this adjuster if turned counter-clockwise lengthens the cable housing and forces the cable into a slightly longer path. This should help the front derailleur to force the chain up onto the middle chainring (2) more quickly. A half turn of the adjuster may be all that is needed. You can find derailleur adjustment instructions at parktool.com

necrowinter

Actually, after I took it to the bike shop, it turns out that perhaps it was my technique. I'm just gonna put the info here just incase someone else has this problem.

When I change gears in the back, I just tap it quick and everything works smoothly. Apparently for the front gear I have to hold it until it completes when shifting up. I didnt know that because I never had a bike with these types of gears (Shimano 2400 STI)

Andrew R Stewart 

Learning to stop pedaling with pressure (but keeping the cranks rotating, this is called soft pedaling) helps let the chain grab the next ring more quickly and with less drama. Andy.