Things You'll Need:
- Biking helmet
-
Step 1
Gearing for general biking: Use the number two front gear by shifting the left-hand shifter. This allows you to shift through the seven rear gears if needed. It is the position that gives you the greatest range (seven speeds).
-
Step 2
For climbing hills: Using the right-hand shifter, shift to the number one gear (the largest rear gear). For steeper hills, use the left-hand shifter to change the front gear to the number one position. How this works: If you pedal one turn with a small front gear attached to a large rear gear, you have to pedal faster to make the rear gear turn one revolution; hence, you go slower, but it is easier for you to pedal.
-
Step 3
For greater speed: Using the right-hand shifter, shift to the number seven gear (the smallest gear). For even greater speed, use the left-hand shifter to change the front gear to the number three position. How this works: If you pedal one turn with a large gear attached to a small rear gear, the smaller gear will have to turn faster to make one revolution in the same time the larger front gear does; hence, you move faster.
-
Step 4
Approaching a stop/leaving a stop: Use the right-hand shifter to move to a lower gear (numbers one through three). This makes it easier to get started out of the stop. As you accelerate you can shift the rear gears up to the higher numbers for greater speed.
