How To Change Gears On A Road Bike | Beginner Cycling Tips

[@gcn]

Are there any other beginner tips you'd like us to cover? Let us know in the comments below!👇

[@throx]

Explain why the front brake and front shifter aren't on the same hand, and instead we get the opposite brake and shifter on each side!

[@671james]

Suggestions on beginner tips to cover: I think knowing the riding etiquettes and hand signals would be a great thing to cover again.

[@gcn]

@@671james Nice idea!

[@colinmartin2689]

@@throx It depends which market the bike is for, in the UK we have the front brake on the right hand side, elsewhere the front brake is on the left, why ? I don't know, but elsewhere it would follow your logic.

[@maxrahmquist8730]

Please. I am a complete newbie bur love your channel. How do you find out your RPM? And what is the cheapest way to find out. Can you buy tech to you iPhone or do you need a head unit. I talk about something called Wahoo?

[@DavidSchilter]

The Pinarello is a classic beginner's bike. Highly recommended. Once you improve your riding though, you'll want to graduate to a real bike with a stand, like the Eurobike :)

[@gcn]

Or maybe even one of these beauties 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2KwdH2MnJd3hKc 😉

[@TwistedOnyx369]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@wsquah]

That’s true. I just started cycling in March 2022. I started on a GIANT but upgraded to a Pinarello F12. Best decision ever

[@travismanning1254]

Good video, I've just got myself a road bike, the last one I had was twenty yrs ago. After watching the video I can now understand the purpose of the right and left lever. Thanks

[@davidlau2467]

Thanks! This video would be better if done with mechanical shifters, as not many beginners would start off with electronic shifting setups.

[@gcn]

It's definitely a fair point, thanks for the feed back!

[@dcred7412]

This video couldn't have come at a better time. Just got my first road bike. 🤙

[@gcn]

Awesome!

[@da14a49]

I think some people forget that it wasn't always second nature. Have fun!

[@russellmatus41]

just got mine too but its not sti, just a budget roadbike from Philippines.

[@Malcolm-Davies]

Me too! Bought it second hand on ebay. It arrived yesterday. As it was couriered it was in parts, so I had to put it together. I will take it to the bike shop to check it is road-worthy before attempting to ride it.

[@Yotens]

I don't want to be negative, but why would you logically make a beginner tips video and use high end parts like Bluetooth shifters that 99% of beginners won't have???

[@iAmPesukone]

From a pedagogical standpoint you should always, always, always use the exact kind of equipment you're talking about. Don't show a 13,000 buck Pinarello with e-shifters working in one way and say "but if it was a bike with mechanical shifters, it would work like..." Probably at least 95 % of the people watching this video for the information are looking at 500 to 1,500 dollar bikes with entry-level mechanical shifters.

[@richardscott9952]

Good tips. When you've been riding for years it's easy to forget what you went through as a beginner. When I started I didn't have a front mech, used to reach down to change from my 52 to 42, trickier the other way around 🤣

[@kibbee890]

Seems odd that he wouldn't be riding a bike with beginner level tech when explaining a beginner level concept like shifting. Definitely should have been on a bike with mechanical shifting and actually demonstrate how to move the shifters on a couple different popular setups one is likely to encounter on entry level bikes.

[@bludog4657]

Thank you friend for going over this. One thing about gears I'm still trying to get locked in is the ratio of sprockets and chain rings. Whenever my friends are talking how they change out their sprocket for a race and they are downloading all the info to me, all I can do is smile and nod. Have a great day from Albuquerque, NM

[@khaimapostol962]

The wider the cassette/sprocket (difference between largestt number of teeth and smallest number of teeth) determines the range and how fast you'll be on flats or how easy (but slow) you'll climb. The wider your sprockets are, it'll be harder to find your optimal cadence for races which is why cyclists often pick a sprocket that is closer in range (the difference between largest number of teeth and smallest number of teeth is smaller). The bigger the chainrings, the faster you'll go in general (but it'll be harder to pedal)

[@NikolausLim]

Let me try to help with my limited knowledge. Here's about ratio. E.g.: chain ring 50-34, sprocket 11-28. 50 divided by 11= 1:4.5. Meaning with 1 full revolution of pedal, your wheels will roll 4.5 times. Good for sprinting or cruising on flat road, but like Khaim said it is harder to pedal. As you progress, you might want 1: 4.8 or even 1:5 so your can go faster 😀. Now when you want to climb, if it's quite steep, you want the ratio as close as possible to 1:1. With above example, 34:28=1.2. With one pedaling your wheels roll 1.2 times, easier to pedal. Same principle for the gears in between the sprocket. Hope it helps.

[@Wast3dYears]

Just got my first gravel bike and the shop couldn't understand what I couldn't understand about the gears as it was so obvious to them but definitely not for a novice like me. This video was exactly what I was looking for - simple and clear! Thank you.

[@ranitbose9609]

Should have mentioned trim positions on front derailleur after cross chaining

[@JR-wj9bh]

This is easily in the Top 10 GCN's shifting tips of all time!

[@seniorcycling5352]

All of these people mentioning all the things you “should have” included. It was a good informative video to cover the basics. My only criticism would have been to use mechanical shifters instead. Most people aren’t going Di2 for their first bike.

[@daincrawford8439]

I think this video should be redone using mechanical shifters. Using electronic shifters on a “Beginner Cycling Tips” video is arrogant, insensitive and less than helpful. Changing the front from small to large with mechanical shifters takes a big move on the lever to make the change that you completely miss showing when you are using electronic shifters. I love you guys but his video really insulting.

[@picasticks]

But there have to be a hundred "how to ride a bike" videos on KZbin featuring entry level spec. GCN have finally filled the "how to ride a Di2 bike when it's your very first one" niche that the sons and daughters of Saudi oil barons and Russian oligarchs have been missing out on.

[@raftermanhoward1883]

@@daincrawford8439 Yeah I thought the same. I'm just looking how to make my shifting a bit less clunky on my Shimano Claris groupset and I have yet to find a really fitting answer.

[@garystrach8249]

Know your audience!

[@fellspoint9364]

There is a built in arrogance around cyclists. Every damn thing has to be top end. I think of the poor kids in East Baltimore who used to ride bikes on just rims ! No joke. All for the joy of motion.

[@sixstanger00]

Finally got a road bike a few weeks ago after years of wanting one. I've been mountain biking for years, as well as racing XC. Mainly wanted to get a road bike to train for XC, but this weekend, I'll be racing my first time trial on the road bike. Guess I'm happy as long as I'm on a bike...

[@philipcooper8297]

Electronic shifters are simple, and you just try to press the buttons and see what's going on. However, when I got into road cycling, my first road bike came with mechanical (STI) shifters. On the way home from the shop, where I bought the bike, I figured out that the tiny lever behind the right brake lever is for shifting gears up (smaller cogs) on the cassette. What I didn't know though, was how to use the front derailleur (the tiny lever behind the left brake lever did nothing as I already was in the small chainring) and I had no idea how to shift down (larger cogs) on the cassette. I found out eventually how to use the STI shifters. Long story short, on my first ever ride with STI shifters, I had to push the bike uphill because I had no idea how to shift into easier gears.😅

[@gcn]

Everyone was a beginner once

[@celestial2240]

How do you use them? I'm currently a beginner!

[@philipcooper8297]

​@@celestial2240 The small lever on the right hand side shifts gears down the cassette (harder gears) and when you want to shift back up to easier gears, push the whole brake lever and the small lever inwards. On my STI, I can do this by 3 gears in one push of the lever inwards. The front derailed works in the exact same way.

[@roflrolf1782]

I know how gears work and when to shift, I enjoy my Trekking bike with 27 gears. But never knew how the levers are on a curved handlebar like on racing bikes. Very cool system.

[@55Reever]

Always great info. Chain tension when shifting is something I need to work on.

[@Mouseend]

Great video, just about to buy my first roaf bike and have asked myself this question alot. Thanks!

[@gcn]

Glad we could help!

[@danreyes736]

How that roaf bike?

[@jassaljs]

Thanks! This should help. Will try these and share the experience 👍

[@NateMicallef]

Thanks. This helped heaps after 20 years off a bike!

[@gcn]

Great to hear!

[@NateMicallef]

@@gcn don't you mean, great to gear?! Boom Tish 😀

[@hoopdoggydogg]

I think this video could've been a bit more thorough. I think it could've been more specific, explaining Shimano shifting, sram and campag. Also, show a short video clip of mechanical shifters, as this is likely what beginners will be using. Tou could also describe the chainring and cassette line as the sprockets on the left for hill climbs and the sprockets to the right for flat road and top speed. Otherwise, the video idea is great!

[@umu-san4414]

Well they already have a video on that. I can't remember if it is on this channel or the tech channel

[@hoopdoggydogg]

@@umu-san4414 they already have a video on this. But no harm in repeating and updating the videos.

[@umu-san4414]

@@hoopdoggydogg well yeah. They'll probably make another one on the group sets if they get sponsored

[@gcn]

Thanks for the great feedback, it certainly could be a future video idea! Of course, there is a caveat to big chainring for flat roads and small chainring for hills - if you're Hank, you whack it in the big dog and send it all day every day 😂

[@gislasson]

awesome video for a beginner like me thanks from venezuela guys!

[@francesstager997]

HELPFUL HANK does it again! Thanks mate!!!

[@Jewishkowboy]

The one thing I try to stress to new riders is not to change gears under load. Think of it like shifting a manual transmission car. Stop pedaling for a split second and shift gears

[@mericanignoranc3551]

So, the exact same thing said in the video . Thx for repeating exactly what was said. What would we do without you?

[@MADTASS]

My 105 Groupset handles changes Under Load, not full load and i have to time it right but it never Moans when i do it.

[@gcn]

Yes, this is really important to reiterate! It can do great damage to your gears if you're not careful!

[@JanM2]

Is it better to stop pedaling completely and then change gears or is pedaling lightly while changing going to be better for the chain? Or is there just no difference?

[@Jewishkowboy]

@@JanM2 you can pedal. The thing to try and avoid is changing gears under load while climbing. What I do is give a little extra push for the pedal stroke before I change gears while climbing and stop for literally a split second and change gears

[@anuragvarma905]

Well explained mate, precise and detailed, thank you much needed video for beginners👍😊

[@andrei-desu5361]

Some phrases could be adjusted like the one at 4:20 cause it confused two of my friends. "Going down the gears" and "The big gear" , they thought it meant going down to smaller cogs and not go up the cogs lol. (yes they are really new, they bought gravel bikes as their first actual bike) Still a great informative video, would be cool to see how shifting on other brands would look like.

[@mikpiotto]

When I think about shifting my derailleur it's down shifting to the higher gears, but when I think about the levers it's vise versa. I should probably break that habit

[@dancarey7523]

Although I have been riding a road bike since the 60s, I still am undecided as to changing the chainring or cassette first. Or does it matter? Si's comment about two cogs on the cassette before changing the chainring is something that I will try. Always a newbie and learning things. :) Thanks,

[@dafiltafish]

it depends on what your goals are, when I was restomodding a 90's mtb the chainrings were the biggest issue because they were SOOOOO tall that they were useless up anything but hard packed dirt and paved roads so they got the swap, but if you have a situation where your chainrings are pretty big (48 to 54 tooth on the big one) and you are trying to go faster or trying to get a wider range then the cassette is probably the way to go. What you can do is look at gear ratios on paper and decide what solution better fits your end goal by how much of a percent difference each swap gives you over your current setup.

[@valeriesteele6209]

what about flicking both levers at the same time ? I use this a lot, which takes you up on the front and down on the back (or vice versa) at the same time ( easing off the pressure through the pedals of course

[@tepelhardetirade2025]

If you press both levers at the same time the bike takes a screenshot.

[@raysullivan1838]

Thanks Hank - I wish I had that video six years ago! You should change your opening comments about “as familiar as a beach to an Eskimo”. Most Inuit consider “Eskimo” to be a derogatory and racist term (although not the case with Indigenous people in Alaska), and the North is full of ocean, and lots of beaches with beautiful clear water in summer. Inuit are an ocean people - not tropical, but lots of ocean and lots of beach.

[@richardharris8538]

Yeah, that was unfortunate, and it grated on me. One cannot really blame Hank because it's not something that would get any attention in the UK.

[@brekdakbanchamek6454]

The way you Flawlessly and directly taught us how to change gears and it's every effieciency from the smallest to the Biggest Detail was really helpful man, Ride safe As always! Cross country biker In arms!!!

[@evanliLSY]

LMAO when I saw the big line of traffic

[@zombwalker]

0:30 lovely to see some happy drivers

[@petrofskiwilliams8360]

Thx for sharing.

[@murrayofparton]

Assembled my new Boardman bike a week after the doctor told me I need to make some serious lifestyle changes. Just rode it down the road for the first time, but had to come back as I couldn’t even work out how to change gear. Last time I rode a bike the two levers were on the down tube. Give it a month and I’ll think I’m Claude Butler - maybe.

[@calhoune19]

Hi GCN team, great vid! Long time coming. Any chance you could do one on pedals and how I should be using them. Thanks!

[@18ScorpiiREAL]

That would be great!

[@nafeesnamedit]

I think they already have a video about clipless pedals.. You can look up for it.

[@gcn]

Thanks for the feedback! we do indeed have a video on how to use clipless pedals, watch it here 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYnKoqaHoat3qaM

[@amydupree6490]

Thank you for the great information!

[@gcn]

Hope you found it helpful

[@ViveSemelBeneVivere]

@1:20 that sparkle was a Swiss Toni moment! 😆

[@oioioioioioioioi-k3w]

Can you make a video on how to zip up my jersey?

[@CarlosParadaP]

I think it's the first time I see hank using leg warmers on a video without snow !!

[@infinati]

And to be like Hank, be sure as a beginner to buy the latest electronic groupset, preferably Shimano Dura Ace like Hank (as they are a sponsor), or SRAM Red, because the shifting performance will be that much better 😏

[@endcensorship874]

Compare and contrast with "the bad old days" of friction down-tube shifting.

[@aronchesda148]

im gonna be a beginner in the next 2 month , thanks for the video .

[@gcn]

Welcome to the community! Glad we could help you, Aron!

[@SebastianBrandner]

with my 2x10 gear setup on my roadbike it's obvious not to use "little to little" but on my new mtb i have a 1x12 and now I'm asking myself, why this is not a big deal 🤷‍♂️ now there must be a much bigger diagonal line for the chain, but it's standard today, so it might be no problem 😆and I might be overthinking ist 😇

[@robkeiser8527]

when you have the 1x the front chainring is more centered to the rear cassette so it is not a bigger diagonal but a smaller one to the small and big gears in the back. You also don't have a front derailer getting in the way of the chain.

[@nl_2652]

For Shimano yes! Isn’t SRAM different?

[@gcn]

Yes SRAM levers work differently, with two clicks on the gear shifter putting you in a lighter gear

[@runorjohn2]

SRAM etap works like this: to change your derailleur press left and right leaver simultaneously to switch from big to small or small to big. To change gears on your cassette: push the left leaver for easier gear. Push right leaver for harder gear. There is also synchronize mode where the derailleur will shift automatically on particular gear ratios and you never have to push both leaver simultaneously

[@colinmartin2689]

@@runorjohn2 Yes , in deed, I have the etap rival on my latest bike, Left for easier gear, right for harder gear, it will even do the compensate for the chain ring change (and automatically too), however as others have mentioned the majority of bikes will be mecahnical shifting.

[@mobeleashdontforgetyourpho9099]

Good info. Thx.

[@gcn]

You're welcome! :)

[@onthemountainwithmike1378]

I just picked up a new s-works and was wondering if you could do a video on proper training wheel installation, haha.

[@il_escriber]

the best demonstration and explanation that I have seen so far.

[@chones_]

we need more hank content

[@matt_m126]

I would have needed that a few years ago when I shopped for my first road bike in over 20 years. 😅

[@harborteacherprep]

What does it mean get bogged down in a big gear? I'm trying to digest the part about what to avoid when coming to a stop. not sure what gears I should be using when coming to a stop.

[@TheNoncritical1]

Don't get caught with your chainring on the large sprocket and your rear cassette on the smallest sprocket. Unless you're starting out on a decline.

[@helmetculture]

Is there a way to go up and down with the left snd right shifter like sram?

[@rafaelabetria796]

My Dream Bike😍🔥

[@ChrisGuarraia]

So, I get why the BCR is the harder gear on the front compared to the LCR, but why is it the inverse on the cassette-the more teeth/the larger the cog , the easier the gear?

[@joed7185]

If I understand. When changing either both front chainrings or the back cassette, the rider has to stop pedaling for a quick second, before pushing in either mechanical shifters? Because if you change gears while pedaling, it makes the changing of the gears choppy?

[@angus68655]

It’s OK to change gears while pedalling and still seated as you’re not putting the chain under any load. However the comment Hank made in the video was specifically not to change gears whilst the chain is under load whilst out of the saddle. Ease the load off a little, essentially stop pedalling, and then change gears. I hope that helps.

[@harborteacherprep]

What does it mean to go down a gear?

[@roberttell1587]

You should give Hank a shadow stand. He's worked for you for a while I think he deserves one.

[@kieron88ward]

I ride fixed so i don't have to worry about gears. Also ride those same roads around Tintern.

[@OPFSow]

I've been riding for 12 years! Never knew how to change gears, thank you GCN! 🙏

[@dannyhoban]

Why would the rear cassette gear controls not be on the left handlebars, where the rear brake is ? Needless confusion

[@animemadnese]

We can also celebrate the diversity in gear shifting options

[@Thesillybat]

Why these vids never mention trimming or quick shifting is beyond me. Still a great vid guys!

[@seniorcycling5352]

This is obviously a video for beginners so it’s informing them of the basics of how to use their gears, some people have a tough time just getting the shifting part down, so to throw all that in too would just be piling on and confusing for some people

[@pancakekun9008]

The mechanic on our bike shop make my big ring didn't cross chain from my big ring at the rear can that be good?

[@stephendecaturjr.7469]

Had no idea that I could even switch the front gears on my bike before this. Thanks!

[@steemb7325]

Hey, how do you go down a gear?

[@harborteacherprep]

Do you mean that you should be on a harder gear when coming to a stop so that you can get the bike moving from a stop?

[@Apex820]

I ride in Synchro 2 mode no cross chaining.

[@kiatography22]

Not sure if my non-technical efforts to avoid cross chaining is helpful, but in general, BIG-BIG and SMALL-SMALL (the physical size of the casette that the chain is on) will result in cross chaining..lol.

[@wtgodz3058]

Last time when I changed gear the chain broke lucky me I had a missing piece, I think that what it's c6

[@rafaellop6332]

1.30 big levers get you to big gear that is right but smaller levers will get harder gears not lighter if I’m right

[@azharrangkuti7798]

I used to cycle Touring, MTB and FB with gear switch at the handle And I just started to cycle a RB and the first thing in my mind when I bought it; "Where the hell is the gear?" 😂

[@robertfries8645]

Does it come with peddles

[@Vokunos]

this message literally popped up on my phonescreen while i was riding on my Singlespeed wich i didnt do in a long time lol

[@klibenskypetitfrere6616]

What tape is that

[@falcoperegrinus82]

4:20 don't you mean you don't want to get bogged down in a small i.e. hard gear after coming to a stop?

[@wtfmrb293]

Been riding a bike soon 50 years still I’m watching hhhh

[@playandteach]

Teaching is hard, isn't it? No attempt at putting this down, by the way - lots of good info, but starting with a novice and asking them if they understand your instructions is a great way to find out how successfully your info is getting across. Changing up v changing down? That's often misunderstood as down is up, if you get my drift, at the back. What about pushing the big lever means going to a bigger cog? But bigger cog at the back is easier, bigger cog at the back is harder - I think this needs more explanation about how the pedal revolutions need to be converted to wheel revolutions. Teaching anything is a different skill to using that skill well. So many different types of learner too. I found out during lockdown that creating a teaching video of any use took a full day per 20 minutes. And that was not including editing, just the planning and replanning when you realise that you'd just made the explanation harder than the task. As the world's premiere bike channel (with the possible exception of the excellent Parktools videos) I think that the legacy of your videos should be more important than the quick turnaround. Bravo for offering these, but I'd like to offer to be a guinea pig in the planning or delivery. I'm possibly denser than your average bear when it comes to how to adjust limit screws, grease bearings, tighten bolts etc. I'm the real Freddie.

[@gerasimosrico]

„Beginner Cycling tips“ proceeds with a Pinarello fully loaded with Dura Ace Di2 😂😭

[@Jaejassi]

I don't know any beginner that has electronic shifters and a Pinarello.

[@lalzup94]

you guys actually decided to go with a Pinarello with Dura Ace wireless shifters to shoot a "beginner cycling tips" video. tell me, what does it feel like to have a 300+ IQ. Can you smell colours and see sounds too?

[@jimbojet8728]

Pinarello F12 on Di2 , beginner’s bike? Yeah, lots of them in Halfords.

[@rah4981]

I've watched this video 10 times in a row now, still can't get my head around it. I give up, way to complicated. This is pure rocket science stuff.

[@assadosman9633]

It's a bit complicated learning how to use bicycle gears than learning motorcycle gears lol. Motorcycle gears are very easy to learn than bicycle's

[@Keule_from_Mars]

People with SRAM ETAP be like 🤷‍♂️.

[@matteo.ceriotti]

To a beginner who can't use gears yet: "if you use a mechanical..." 😂😂

[@Rafeeqah24]

Repeated video why -GCN-?

[@hotcakes1117]

New sponsors and product placements to promote

[@Rafeeqah24]

O thanks

[@redhunter1535]

@@hotcakes1117 Yeah that's sad, this channel has become just a bunch of ads collection basically, same videos over and over again just to promote stuff.

[@mr.ak1113]

1:38 me having 40 year old raleigh 🤨

[@olewurtz7625]

Great beginner’s advice, but at 64 I kind of knew that already. What I’d like to get an experts insights on, is how to set up a new set of chain rings, cassette and chain to shift as smoothly as butter, silk, milk or something similar.

[@Henkersmahlzeit]

Next video: How to put on your helmet when riding road bike.

[@philthewriter]

"Electronical shifting", eh...

[@andrifsig]

hmmm....the first line in this clip is a pretty weird one. "Do you look at gears like beaches to an eskimo?" Lets avoid the fact that the proper term is not an eskimo but an Inuit. Also Inuits are native to mostly Hudson bay in Canada, the 2nd largest bay in the world, the Arctic areas in Alaska and Canada with access to the sea and to Greenland which is the largest island on the planet and because it is mostly covered by an icecap the vast majority of its inhabitants live on the coast. An abundance of beaches and shorelines for the Inuits to explore which made them rely on the ocean for survival . So Hank, the Inuits probably know their beaches far better than you know your gears. ;) Otherwise a great video for gear shifting.

[@MrJhamil05]

Eskimo, not good, this is slang/insult to indigenous to people of northern North America; Canada officially uses the term Inuit to describe the indigenous Canadian people who are not First Nations or Métis and living in the country's northern sectors. In Canada and Greenland, and to a certain extent in Alaska, the term Eskimo is predominantly seen as offensive and has been widely replaced by the term Inuit or terms specific to a particular group or community. This has resulted in a trend whereby some Canadians and Americans believe that they should use Inuit even for Yupik who are a non-Inuit people.

[@gcn]

Hi JH, thank you for raising this. This should not have been said. Hank wasn't aware of the history of the word but this has now been noted by the team and we won't make this mistake again.

[@MADTASS]

Bear in mind that Purchasing an Electronic Dura Ace Groupset will leave you with a Debt not that Dissimilar of a Small African Nation.

[@dafiltafish]

*up to 13 on the back

[@bikepackingadventure7913]

All the gear and no idea 😏

[@dalekemp4319]

Hahaha yea cos all beginners start on a pinnarello with DI2!! You should have used a mid range bike with105 so normal people get it!!!

[@JimbobB1978]

😂 this has to be a wind up, right? What next... teach us how to fill a water bottle, tell us how to put our helmets on?

[@micha2009]

Everyday I see ppl who wear their helmets wrong... So... uhm... *shrug*

[@gcn]

Everyone's a beginner at some point, this video may not be for you, but we hope it's helpful for someone just starting out

[@vihnlorenz3560]

1

[@roverrr23]

I find this video useless using as an example high end bike.

[@tobingj]

Cross chaining got 15-20 seconds?? Something that can cost money. Damage your chain, derailleur or the cogs themselves AND sounds terrible. GCN should have done better there.

[@HDW-dz1lj]

If you're no longer a beginner you won't unless there's a climb 😆