12 Tips & Tricks for Using Your Bike’s Gears
Learn What Your Gears Actually Do
Your gears make pedalling easier or harder. Lower gears help you climb hills, while higher gears help you travel faster on flatter or downhill sections.
Change Gear Before You Need To
If you can see a hill ahead, change to an easier gear before the climb gets steep. Changing early is much easier than trying to change while struggling.
Use an Easy Gear to Start
When setting off, especially from a junction or traffic light, use a relatively easy gear. It makes getting moving smoother and puts less strain on your legs.
Don’t Wait Until Your Legs Are Struggling
If your legs are turning slowly and you are pushing hard on the pedals, you probably need an easier gear. Change down before you become exhausted.
Spinning Is Better Than Grinding
Try to keep your pedals turning at a comfortable, fairly quick rhythm rather than pushing very hard with each pedal stroke. This is easier on your legs and knees.
Change One or Two Gears at a Time
You don't need to jump from one extreme to another. Small changes can make a surprisingly big difference and help you find the gear that feels right.
Keep Pedalling While You Change Gear
Most bikes change gear best when you are pedalling gently. Ease off the pressure slightly while changing, particularly when climbing.
Use the Easier Gears for Hills
As the road gets steeper, gradually change into easier gears. You may feel as though you are pedalling faster, but that's usually much easier than forcing a heavy gear uphill.
Change Up After the Hill
Once you reach the top, don't stay in a very easy gear. Change back into a harder gear gradually as the road becomes flatter and your pedalling starts to feel too fast.
Look Ahead, Not Down
Keep your eyes on the road and anticipate changes in the terrain. You can often tell from the road ahead when you will need an easier or harder gear.
Don't Fight the Bike
If a gear feels uncomfortable, change it. There isn't a "correct" gear for everyone. The right gear is the one that allows you to pedal comfortably and maintain control.
Practise Somewhere Quiet
Find a quiet road, park or cycle path and practise changing through all your gears. Once you know how your bike responds, changing gear becomes almost automatic.