How to Shift Gears Effectively on a Mountain Bike

Shifting bike gears at improper times can leave you looking and feeling rather silly. You could end up spinning your pedals like the Road Runner with Wile E. Coyote in pursuit or end up stalled out and unable to pedal on an uphill.

Instructions

1. Use the same gear you used on the flats when you start up a hill with speed. Then slowly shift to easier gears one at a time as it gets harder to pedal up the hill.

2. Use an easy gear when you start up a hill with no speed. Then shift to easier gears on the hill as the terrain allows, such as in flat spots when constant pedalling isn't necessary.

3. Spot a downhill in front of you and shift to a harder gear before reaching the hill. When you get to the hill, you can concentrate on braking instead of shifting.

4. Shift gears on smooth sections of bumpy trails. Give yourself a few feet to shift and pedal into gear before the next bump.

5. Stay in the front middle chainring for variable terrain riding. Then shift only with the back gears for quick shifts on the changing terrain.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to shift when you aren't really cranking down hard on the pedals. This will give you a smooth, instead of jerky transition.

• You wouldn't downshift a car from fifth to first, so try not to do this on a mountain bike either.