ASK GEARIST: The basics of bicycle shifting

On my compact with 14-28 I tend to stay on the 34 tooth chainring up to gear 6 out of 7 on the back because the chainline is such that the chainrings are further out. The problem is that the 50 tooth chainring then requires me to go back to the 3rd gear on the back for the next logical shift increment, which is a bit annoying having to make 3 shifts on the back.
I could get the same range of gears with a single 39 and an 11 speed 32-11 and not have this problem.

Haven't been on a bike in over 30yrs.. That's about to change 🙄
This is the best explanation of gears on you tube and this 51yr old novice cyclist thanks you for that! 👍
Subscribed.

This is great, thank you very much. I am new to cycling after being away from it for 25 years and much has changed. You have hit many points that I was thinking about.

If only you showed (the gears) rather than just talking, For someone who is not a pro is confusing...

You've lost me. you cant be discussing things outside the topic of basic shifting to someone clueless about it. You definitely know your bike stuff, but you suck as a teacher..

Top quality video sir, thank you very much. I didn't look into this when I last bough a bike 15 years ago, and it was a terrible ride. Now I'm looking to get a gravel bile (trendy I know), and I'm going to make a much bigger effort to learn and practice proper shifting. Your video is excellent.
Is there any technique that help prevent cross chaining? Or is it a visual thing where you actually look down at your chain and see where its at?

Great video, concise with all the information about the subject! Thanks!

excellent! took me a while to find what I was looking for - this presentation was perfect for me. Great job - thanks!

this was an excellent explaination that really really made sense to me. Super applicable. I have been riding for a while but to really made it make sense finally. Thankyou

Thanks so much! Best video so far on this topic!

Very good explanation. I have never been shifting properly. This make good sense

From what I understand in this video is, I can use the entire cassette on on either the big or the smaller gearing! Is this correct?

Hello and thanks
When you mentioned one gear change front equals 3 gear changes at the rear, so if I am on gear 1 front and gear 3 rear and as I pick up speed changing to gear 2 front does it equal gear 1 front and gear 6 rear?

Thank you. This was a very informative video.

Out of the popular videos that tried explaining this concept, you’re the only person that actually explained how the button pressing works. Thanks !

Very good video. I really appreciate the opening segment, identifying the various parts of the drive train and specifically noting which levers are used to move the chain up or down the cassette. I have watched at least 12 similar videos and not one of them gave as detailed an explanation on gear shifting as yours. Thank you! I haven't ridden a bike in a long time and bikes have really changed, but with a few more of your videos I'll get there! Thanks again!

Well explained, thank you!

You have made things easy to understand, remember and apply in this video. I just bought two new bikes, FX2 Disc. Liked and subscribed. Thank you.

Good explanation: I learned to shift road gears by remembering that the bigger lever=bigger sprockets, smaller lever=smaller sprockets-That should be easy to remember.

Huh cris chaining never knew it was so crucial for a long life of my bike

great stuff this !

Very well explained, the best I have seen . Thank you !

Really great explaining, I’ve been riding for a couple of years but not understanding the gears so it has been frustrating at times. I could never climb a hill as easily as my friends even though I am quite fit. You’ve given me some useful advice which I plan to implement next ride.

Great video!

Outstanding, particularly the practical advice about learning at the 13-minute mark or so. Thanks much!

On the next please give us some numbers (combination) to start with. Thanks.

Great video thank you, help me alote.....

it is so hard to follow him

you count your rpm? looser!

Nicely explained.

All of this is in my 1971 Schwinn owners manual.

Something I just learned the hard way is that the wheels can wear out. And this can affect what gears you use. What happens over time is the spokes get soft and flex beyond adjustment. And this destroys power generation. The local bike shop told me the wheel were beyond adjustment. Their repair was going to be about $360. Rather than buy new wheels myself on Amazon, I opted for a new bike at $399. But in my case on a 27 inch bike I could have replaced the wheels and freewheel for about $155. My thoughts were that I still had an old bike. I may do it anyway for a backup. A lot of people do put on new wheels and Amazon prices look pretty good.. Hey, the new bike is a lot easier to peddle.

As for shifting, I shift a lot. I ride 6.3 miles RT every day on a flat river-side trail. I want as little peddle pressure as possible at all times and never coast. I do not wear toe clips for safety reasons. Don't fool yourself. Even veteran riders fall with those things. But my shifting follows the wind. If I have a 20 to 30 second wind speed increase or decrease, I shift up or down. I want that steady almost no pressure peddling at all times and I try to hold 12 MPH on my bike calculator. Not bad for an old dude who has run over 11,000 miles at ages 77 to 81 (now). My wife at 82 rides along with me every day too. That is how you stay young. My dad was doing it into his 90's.

Noooo not that music!

Very helpful, thank you

When it gets hard select an easier gear... when it gets easy select a harder gear. Come on people!, man went to the moon back in 1969, if y'all don't know how to ride a bike by now give it away!!!

Succinct, and clear. Well explained. Thank you

Awesome explanation !

This is everything I needed!! ❤❤❤❤

Great tutorial; Thanks a million.

Great video. Perfect for all new riders. In fact, it’s a must watch for all new riders.

I just got a new to me bike and haven't ridden in a couple of years. This bike has shift levers like you described so I need to learn how to use them. Best video I've watched to describe practically and non technically what the heck I'm supposed to do! My old bike had the levers on the down tube which I was so used to. So hope I can get used to these! Practice and fun! Thanks again!

this is really well explained and detailed information for beginners like me. thanks

Great video, clear and to the point......thank you

Such a good explanation on using gears! Thank you.

Well explained
I am a novice
Thanks

Wow thanks purchased my first endurance racer two weeks ago.
Seen many vids on utube,
some not enough info others too complicated to understand..
This video was great..
Thankyou now i have a idea on shifting..