How & When To Change Gear On Your Bike | Beginner Cycling Tips

Gears. They may seem complicated at first, but use them properly and you'll really notice the difference. There are many skills to be learnt in changing gears that could have a great benefit to your riding and your bike. Mark and Heather are here to explain!
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Gears. They may seem complicated at first, but use them properly and you'll really notice the difference. There are many skills to be learnt in changing gears such as avoid crossing your chain, cadence and pre-empting.
Sounds simple and could be a great benefit to your riding and your bike! Mark and Heather are here to explain!
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[@tanmayvankalas4074]

Great insights. Just got a MTB this week and by watching this video i could spot so many mistakes i made in the past 3 days especially with Gear changes on uphill and down hill. Thanks for this video.

[@WaterMeA-biscuit]

Finally a video where people are actually riding the bike and showing you the examples rather than just telling you about it with the bike in their garage.

[@jhun895]

Both of you never really teach or show how and when to change gear.the question is what gear to use when your are on flat surface and you want to sprint faster.what gear are you using when your are climbing or uphill.what gear are you using when you are on a downhill slope.what gear are you using when you on a downhill zigzag road.

[@mugundanraja1618]

THIS PLEASE^

[@Jane-vw5om]

Exactly. It was not clear enough to follow for beginners

[@christiancruz179]

What i get out of this video is everything is personal preference. Keep your rpms at what they recommend 80-95rpms in what ever gear you can handle. You can probably maintain 95rpm at a different gear than I can.

[@ender_paul]

Yeeeesssss!! The video is full of jargon words that are not beginner friendly, useless infos and they're like teaching professionals how to do it,, I'm a beginner and what I need is beginner style teaching. Ughhh,, all I want to know is if I go uphill, should I use small gear or large gear at the back, and small or large at the front? Ugggghh

[@nancyhoijer8944]

@@Jane-vw5om yes and considering its title...

[@Johnjwalt]

I wish I'd watched this three or four hundred miles ago.

[@Jay-Repairs1306]

john1054 haha😂😂

[@dandonovan8646]

Lllllpl

[@natalierene1]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@jgonzaga23]

Lol

[@connerbeierle2651]

lolllll same tho

[@Annapoorni_Arulanandan]

I stumbled upon your channel recently and I have been binge watching all your videos!!!! As a newbie triathlete this was immensely helpful!!!!!! Keep up the great work GTN ♥️♥️♥️

[@heatherfell_oly]

Annapoorni Arulanandan Thank you! Good luck with your upcoming triathlons!

[@Annapoorni_Arulanandan]

@@heatherfell_oly Whoaaaa🔥🔥🔥😲😲 Was not expecting you to repllyyyyy😍 Thank you♥️

[@rebeccamuehl5504]

Newbie to riding the right way..efficient and effective. Thanks for info as I am trying to understand gears and shifting and how snd when etc.

[@Ezinma88]

I feel like I needed to start from a more basic place.

[@nene100184]

Whew… same. I’m not comfortable taking my hands off the bars 🥴

[@BluestofFalcons]

Lol to be able to have an entire conversation while speeding uphill. They’re not even sweating lol. #goals

[@jonnyblayze5149]

Nor are they explaining anything

[@Enquiringmind777]

All theory, no vision. Why don't they actually show how it works on the wheels. Also how it works on the handlebars?

[@guywelch656]

Enquiringmind777 why don’t you

[@arghidontknow]

BIg G because he’s not making the tutorial...? I was thinking the same thing. This video doesn’t do well for visual learners.

[@oceaniccurrents]

You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink

[@CanItAlready]

Enquiringmind777 The concept basically that you don't want your chain at an extreme angle, so you don't want to have it from the biggest ring in the front to the biggest cog in the back or the smallest at the front to the smallest at the rear. When shifting, try to keep the chain running more or less straight. As for how it works at the handlebars, that will vary depending on what kind of shifters a person has on their bike.

[@MrsSpontaneous]

arghidontknow pp pop pop prayers go p

[@duncanwalk1960]

This really helped me understand gear shifting. I'm a 21 year old just starting his to learn to ride. Thank you!

[@gtn]

Glad it helped and great to hear you're getting into cycling 🙌

[@riteshmahashabde]

By far the best practical guide on the topic ! Thanks a lot

[@brucepal3907]

All very good advice, and I'm glad as a novice that I was instinctively slightly reducing pressure when I was changing gears. I noticed immediately that this was the best way to ensure a smooth shift.

[@johncarterbrown991]

Hi. I've recently been given a bike for my birthday. I'm getting on a bit now and only remember the old 3 speed gears inside the bike hub! - if you know what I mean? Anyway I now have a bike with 2 gears up front, and 6 at the back. I'm not stupid, and I would have learned how best to use them fairly quickly (I think) but your video has helped me understand what goes on with them. Thanks very much.

[@carlbyronrodgers]

Always looking for Nirvana sweet spot which seems to vary depending on fatigue.

[@velocitymg]

Mark, Heather, no need to own two full on TT bikes, you should stick with the P5X’s, and I’d be happy too look after one of these speedmax’s for you. So jealous of you on these great bikes. Awesome video too, thanks guys

[@nickyhomer4216]

What a brilliant video. Well presented. I’ll give it a go tomorrow 😁

[@elthpiano]

I’ve literally been crosschaining so much

[@psychobillynumbnuts1]

Seriously. I keep pedaling but the bike wont move. I dont know how it works 😫

[@gdcat777]

This is all speech, I want some practical demonstration with the bike stationary and watching exactly what it happening. I have the old 10 speed shifters at the top from 40 years ago. Not sure which ones to use.

[@TheJofrica]

This one has good shots of the chain: "How You Should Be Changing Gears on Your Bike/Bicycle" kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZ3Rf3apq5mDnsU

[@tamjidshah1110]

where was this filmed? that is such a good scenery and seems like a peaceful and good place to cycle , i wana go there :(

[@bigflat1238]

Just started cycling relevant piece for me,really enjoying good comfortable trips ,it’s cool

[@NicolePelovelloTv]

Cycling is best your healthy body. Thank u for sharing. Keep safe.

[@radinsyah1574]

A few tips: There’s how gears work, advanced tips and tricks, but no mention about the what (the gear numbers) and when (what numbers to use on downhill, flats and uphill). I understand there’s cadence that’s different for everyone, but a general rule at least? After watching this I still don’t know what gear to use when and why. Second, probably it’s best if you can narrate through the video with b-rolls of cycling footage, instead of talking while riding 😂

[@jonnyblayze5149]

Exactly, this was extremely useless

[@prthsingh11]

Can u make a video on fueling during the race with some DIY tips....what are allowed during the race and what not. Thanks.

[@heatherfell_oly]

Partha Singh That's another video we need to do, great idea 👌

[@PoetWithPace]

Partha Singh i was thinking that question too!

[@claremackay]

Another vote for this. I'm just stepping up from sprint to standard and need to learn how and when to fuel on the go.

[@nightsfalling]

@@heatherfell_oly I would like suggestions on the 140.6 distance, please

[@heatherfell_oly]

@@nightsfalling we have made several training videos if that's what you're after?

[@MikeRecinosTheRealtor]

Cheers mates, from CA, USA!

[@dougfarris312]

This is great. I am just getting into this sport and I am not shifting smoothly.

[@sobanali]

I am not getting them at all is it only me out they are explaining it in a difficult way.

[@weekendpartier]

I miss the old levers on the bars!

[@NicholasWoodley]

Loved the video. I've had much better wear from my bike since following your channel. My hill climbing has improved too. Going to take some do these tips and put them into practice.

[@nicodishiznit]

Question: What if you're on a heavy gear and then suddenly got into a stop without preparing to shift down, do you switch gears while on a stop or after you pedal once or twice after the stop?

[@lgprod6459]

What i do is i drop 2-3 gears, lift my saddle and do 1/2 of a turn with my pedals, it helps engage the gear so that I will have minimal chain slips when accelerating (going from 2 to 3 pedal turn to engage the 2-3gears down) and once this first pedal turn is done I will drop to a smaller front gear. This let me accelerate more efficiently and easily. Very useful when you are at a red light and have the time to do it.

[@adhamezzat9390]

I am in hospital watching you everyday and can’t wait until I hit the road again 🤞🙏

[@yogayo4125]

You are a fool

[@whyrusofree2213]

Why do u want to hit the road u must love the hospital

[@whyrusofree2213]

yoga yo ikr he wants to hit the road again

[@connorrisberg]

Could you share your thoughts on switching a bike to 1 by gearing for triathlon? Good, bad, bit of both?

[@markthrelfall3577]

Connor Risberg I like the idea. Obviously it’s course dependent though. Make sure you get a specific 1x chainring, and figure out the correct ratio for yourself

[@DjErikAnthony_]

This definitely helps, looking forward to using this information on the road 🙌🏽 thank you.

[@omkarvyas93]

Superb sunglasses btw

[@jordancohen474]

thank you very much.Quick shipper.Good Product.

[@elbarriopapi]

i have 3 numbers on my left gear and 8 numbers on my right gear.. first question is how many speeds is my bike? secondly, i really have no idea how or when to shift gears.. sometimes i shift and my chain makes the craziest noise.. so is the idea, when going up hill my left gear should be in 1 and my right gear should be in a low gear too? like 2 or 3? god somebody please help me lol

[@jgonzaga23]

Your bike has 24 speed 3x8. Going uphill you should be on the easiest gear on the front and back it should be fine. That's not cross chaining.

[@Maxsarkar]

24 speed

[@edza7531]

snapped my derailleur yesterday, I'm here to learn on how to prevent it from happening again

[@gtn]

Ah no! Could of been for a whole series of reasons, maybe not your fault! Have you been to your local bike shop, we're sure they could diagnose the issue. 🙌

[@edza7531]

@@gtn The derailleur was faulty before the accident but it was completely my fault. Had it replaced and it is in a better condition than before.

[@robertjwilliams3532]

All this is as clear as mud!!!

[@jg2977]

So I’ve been shifting gears completely wrong since I started biking three weeks ago! Got it

[@livegreatalways]

Sorry, total noob here. How do you determine what gears combination to change between the front and rear? Some say just leave the front gears at 2 and just varies the rear gears. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[@thom6746]

I agree that this video wasn't informative.

[@Justin-cc4hk]

@@thom6746 if u are in 1 at front you can be at 1-5 at back, 2 front almost all gears and 3 more higher ends, like 5-9 or what ur gears are , but there are videos on youtube explaining better

[@thom6746]

@@Justin-cc4hk yes, we have to go to other videos because all this video wasted our time. Thanks for your advice.

[@Palaecro]

What happens if you change gears without peddling? Also do you need to change left and right gear shifts at the same time?

[@gtn]

If you push the lever to change gear without pedalling then your chain wont move onto the next cog, for the chain to move you need the motion of the dear system.

[@kevinserrato6358]

This is going to take a bit of time to get used to 😅

[@gs8941]

Sweet. Great combination :)) Best wishes

[@TonyMontana-tm7ul]

lower gear means higher resistance, higher gear means lower resistance ,,is that right?

[@bonvaicu]

Smallest in front and largest rear combo for uphill ?

[@clayc124]

Very informative video. Thanks.

[@eduardjosephloto9852]

1:10 those transitions hahahha

[@sammief1305]

I had to watch mark FIVE TIMES at 1:13 because I was so triggered from where his bottle was sat. Please tell me you have mud guards and I just missed them.

[@sufiankikhia7188]

OMG > Aero Canyon looks beautiful.

[@jomarvisperas2695]

First I was at mtbn. Then I found myself at gcn. And now here I am at gtn

[@Aragorn.Strider]

3:00 cross chaining is actually a bigger topic then you'd realize and which I have issues with. I approach a road to which I must yield, it seems free of traffic, so I prepare and go lower in the gears, but as it turns out, suddenly one long line of cars, so I must do a full stop. Quickly I drop a few more gears, and suddenly I'm in the easiest on the back and hardest at front, so I'm in this cross chaining. Also, no visual information in the cock pit in what gear I am. Only when I look down on front and back I have an idea in what gears I am. Ok next time, I'm at a similar crossing, but I was well prepared and in my front easier gear there's nothing and I increase in gears several times. And dang, I'm again cross chaining without any signals. Ok third time I'm at the same kind of crossing, I prepared I'm in easier front gear somewhere middle, this time no traffic, a few pedals way to high cadence so I switch front to harder gear, way to hard and thus change back in easier. This third way seems to work well, but still it is kind of a hassle.

[@yukuhana]

I always stick to mid range and only shift the back gear except on extreme cases - extreme uphill then I shift the front to low range. In mid range 90% of the time, therefore, I just have to worry about shifting down the back gear when I may slow or stop.

[@europebasedvlogs1251]

love from Germany

[@lanakorvin2445]

Thank you so much, this is so logical what you say !!

[@kristenlee337]

Great video. Thanks!

[@63Hash]

Hi! Thanks for this. I like those aerobars as they're raised off the handlebar. What make and model are they?

[@andyfidler5022]

Nice video. I describe my bike as having 27 'gears' and I've probably only used four of them. :p

[@Dippasinghdhesi]

So what gear you use for uphill, I'm new to biking. This is really confusing 😕

[@theteddyshow9072]

Highest easy gear

[@sandeep-lu6rj]

for uphill, use your lower gears but on a flat road where you can go fast use the higher gear

[@revoktorment440]

Nice over the top rides

[@lancereinhartdelarosa7250]

I hope I can give myself a bike like yours too guys! ☝🏻 Ride Safe always!!

[@venkatalakshmi6568]

Does it work for MTB or only road cycles

[@Lust94]

My shifter on the left has three options:High, Medium, Low and my shifter on the right has six options:1,2,3,4,5 and 6. I still haven't figured out how to use these efficiently :/

[@gregsteele4098]

Mine do to

[@dipenb4u]

very helpful thank you so much!

[@adam_p99]

So I got myself a new bike 2 days ago and I haven’t ridden since I was a kid. You mention changing through the gears gradually but going from 6-7 requires changing the front and cassette gears and from the furthest away cogs. (If that makes sense?!) and then you mention this is not recommended.

[@garethc78]

Adam P ditto here mate. Bought a 400 quid entry level hybrid and it’s the first proper bike I’ve had since I was a kid (needed to stop road running so much as my knees at 40 are not too forgiving!) Realised how much bike tech has come on and I’m a complete novice. Loving it though and looking forward to lockdown ending so I can join a club or at least ride with more experienced people!

[@adam_p99]

Gareth Curnow yeah my knee cartilage is the reason I stopped running and started this. I recommend strava, if you’re not already using it.

[@PSNragglefraggle1]

I assume you're referring to the resistance gap between the chainrings? If so, it's recommended you actually go down one gear before shifting the chainring to maintain momentum.

[@stevemerrick5198]

Fantastic, easy to understand presentation guys, excellent to watch. You are both easy going and clear in explanation with a great manner - you could easily be TV hosts! Thank you!

[@yoegangan1950]

Bike mechanics can explain it more clearly.

[@diggitydoo5836]

Yes. The thing about “crossed chain” is not shown in this video, but I saw a bicycle mechanic video a few weeks ago where he shows it properly so that you can see what it means.

[@darrylashton8428]

I just avoid cycling up hills and I do tend to stay in the same gear. I find it okay and have no problems. I do not bother changing gears. Stay in one to peddle. I cycle for fun and not for speed.

[@lonski3612]

I just got a 24 inch hoy cris hoy I'm 10 and could you please make a video on your position like when when you should duck down and when to stand up ps reply please

[@tracyadkins3077]

So.. cross chaining is using the easiest or hardest ring/cog combo? Easy front + easy back or hardest front and hardest back = cross chaining?

[@PoetWithPace]

Good common sense tips 👍🏼

[@charlesbromberick4247]

nice job, mates

[@elisem4642]

This made me even more confused. I have numbers on the gear shift, what do the numbers mean?? What does the right side do, and what does the left side do? Im so confused plz help

[@portiaellyse9418]

Haha me too!!

[@Raveler1]

There are on many bikes two sets of gears - front and rear. The front sets, controlled on the left side of the handlebars, are your "gross adjustment" - each change of the front gears changes the ratio significantly, and thus the effort you need to expend to pedal. The rear set, controlled on the right side of the handlebars, is "fine adjustment" - each change affects the ratio much less than the front gears. Let's use a simple example: If you have two front gears, we can think of these as "high and low" If you have seven rear gears, we can think of these as speeds 1-7 (low), and 8-14 (high). Low-1 will be the easiest to pedal - you want this when going up a REALLY steep hill. High-14 will be the hardest to pedal - you want this when going really fast - like, down a really steep hill. They recommend in the video not to crosschain - that is, to be in low-7 or high-1. Shift the front gear before reaching these extremes. But wait, why would you want to pedal when going downhill? Cadence. Basically, once you figure out how many revolutions per minute is most comfortable for you, you want to keep that cadence going. In the video they recommend 80-95 rpm. By shifting gears, you can maintain that cadence no matter if you're on a flat, going uphill, or going downhill.

[@helloknittykitty]

@@Raveler1 yours is the best explanation I've found so far. Thank you!😀

[@ACarpenter89]

I'm just waiting for somebody to do a video about the best year-round all weather condition commuter bike you can find at Walmart

[@janna_creator]

Hi what is your drop bay why does it look different? hehe newbie here! I know the other one is an aero handle bar, but what the other one? it looks smaller ! I like it. :) thank you

[@homeelectricco]

Way back when.... we called the cassette " the cluster " ( 70's)

[@cameronalexander359]

I'm laughing that rim brakes are back.

[@MusikGrl96]

Anyone else here during what is almost WW3 who just got a bike to save on fuel?

[@amyshimonkevitz4803]

This video assumes a person knows more about riding a multi-gear bike than she does. Much of this information was not as helpful as hoped. One still doesn't understand what cross chaining is or what one should look out for to stop doing it, and there was no discussion about going down hills nor any specifics about using the gears. More instruction is now needed at a much more basic level to understand what was in this video. This was a very quick overview of information without better details and additional instruction.

[@TinyC105]

My bike has 5 gears does that mean it has 5 chain rings?

[@eamonodwyer6747]

If I come to a junction and have to stop and I'm in high gear how do I get into lower gear before I take off

[@MohammadImran-sh9tb]

Hello there. Can you please tell me what is the name of that thing that you rest your arms on? That thing right on top of the handlebar. It looks like a useful thing to have when riding. Thank you

[@kylelitoinoc1567]

That's exclusive for time trial bikes. It makes your riding form more aerodynamic which means more speed.

[@dapperlygrungy3189]

I didn't understand anything you said.

[@heyitsfakawma4917]

so do you think that every gear cycle is same to change a gear??

[@colegoldenberg5262]

I ride a 2x8 drive train bike, when in the front I’m on 1, what should be the range in the back? 1-4? And if I’m on 2 in the front should I be on 5-8?

[@BadWeatherfreak]

What bike is a good entry bike?

[@actionjessie]

so as rough guide, do you generally keep it on the largest chain ring and cycle through the cassette? and perhaps only change to the smaller chain ring for very hilly terrain?

[@Gadottinho]

yeah, basically, from what I understand, at least

[@fameenahedayathullah6094]

Is it compulsory to shift ur gear in speed 🤔?

[@yusukeyurameshi2482]

It’s so confusing.. shift down, shift up vs smaller chain rings to bigger ones, or smaller cassette to bigger cassette. Or which one is it the front or the back

[@ronbros]

Shimano gear changer twist type , shifted up to 6th now wont come back down handle seems locked in 6th?

[@DJJOHN92]

At 3:20, the point about easiest vs. hardest gear is wrong, no? Hardest would be largest in front, smallest in back and opposite.

[@couch.patati-patata]

So when you go up an incline, what's the best gears to use? The cycle has three gears on the left side and five on the right. And which is the best for downhill?

[@couch.patati-patata]

@@onorebakasama could you give me the numbers? Uphill front gear what number, back gear what number? Same way which ones for downhill.

[@tamilong4783]

Thank you for this, going up small hills, I would wobble and almost fall off, now I know why.

[@egeorge4097]

ive just bought a giant road e bike e+2 ; i havent ridden it yet, and trying to understand all these 'gear changings' sounds very very very very confusing

[@2of238]

Can you shift the both gears front and back together?

[@thesobrietyplaybook]

🙏 thank you

[@direloky]

So I know you said not to barrel through your gears all at once and pre empt hills and such but is it bad to change gears at all while climbing a hill? I saw another video where the guy said not to do this and well I just got a MTB and on just the first ride I noticed my chain starting to "jam (I guess?)" basically it just clicks or grinds probably once per chain revolution. It is only doing this in 2nd gear on my 11 speed. Do you have any idea what may have caused this and as I asked before, is it bad to change gears at all mid climb?

[@muttineni03]

What bike are you guys using?

[@ianstewart8301]

Always good to review

[@MiketheNerdRanger]

I never caught how you actually *literally* perform the act of switching gears in this video. What do you actually do to change the gears?

[@aingharanathiththan6226]

What do you do if the mechanism to change from your small chain to the big chain doesn't work?

[@DINO-wo5ee]

Hmm seems familiar OH GCN SHOW LETSS GOOOOOO

[@thebtk]

at 7:10 were you cross chaining? :D

[@BCUKMTB]

wish I'd watched that a year ago!