How to Shift Gears on Your Mountain Bike

Mastering A of the Foundation of Mountain Biking. 

For beginners, shifting while mountain biking is a fundamental skill you need to know to ride. Thankfully, shifting is something you’ll quickly learn and will become second nature while riding! In this article, we cover the basics of gear shifting, including common gear setups, terminology, understanding high versus low gears, and knowing when to shift. Mastering control of your gears helps you to maintain optimal cadence, conserve energy, and navigate various terrains with confidence and control. Sounds pretty good, right? Let’s go!

Understanding Gearing Basics

Let’s review how the minimum parts of the gearing on your bike work so you can know what’s happening to make your shifting happen! Most mountain bikes come equipped with a single chainring setup in the front (near your pedals) and a cassette with multiple sprockets in the rear. Common MTB configurations include a 1x drivetrain with a 30t or 32t chainring with an 11-gear cassette. 

Bike terms to know:

• Chainrings: The front disc holding the chain attached to the pedal cranks.
• Cassette: The cluster of gears attached to the rear wheel hub.
• Shifters: The levers used to change gear on your handlebars
• Derailleur: The mechanism that moves the chain between different gears.

Now we can translate: 1x11-32t 

• 1x = Front chainring: “one by” drivetrain or chainring disc to hold the chain, near your pedals. 
  • Picture your childhood bike, you likely had multiple chainrings, here and shifting on both handlebars, which would be 2x or 3x .

• 11 = Gears: The number of total gears in the rear cassette.

• 32t = The number of teeth on the chainring.

How these components work together:

When you shift gears using the shifters, the derailleur on the rear tire moves the chain from one gear to another in the cassette. When you shift to a larger gear (e.g., from a smaller cog to a larger one), it becomes harder to pedal but offers more speed. Shifting to a smaller gear (e.g., from a larger cog to a smaller one) makes it easier to pedal but provides less speed.

How to Shift

On the right handlebar, there are two shifting paddles controlled by your thumb. The larger paddle, typically situated behind the smaller one, shifts the chain to easier gears, while the smaller paddle in front moves the chain into harder gears.

When you need to shift while riding, lightly pedal forward and press in one of the shifting paddles, pushing one click at a time to ensure the chain shifts gears correctly and smoothly. If you need to shift up or down a few gears rapidly, rely on your continuous pedaling and short spacing between clicks so your chain doesn’t jump. 

Deciphering High and Low Gears:

Understanding high and low gears can be confusing, as it seems counterintuitive. Remember it this way:

• High Gear (Harder | Huge chainring | Descending):

  High gear refers to harder gears, often found on the larger chainring in the front or the smaller cogs in the rear. Riding in high gear requires more effort but provides greater speed. It's ideal for flat or downhill sections where maintaining a faster pace is key. In high gear, each pedal stroke covers more ground.

• Low Gear (Easier | Little chainring | Climbing):

  Conversely, low gear involves easier gears, typically on the smaller chainring or larger cogs. Riding in low gear requires less effort but results in lower speeds. It's perfect for uphill climbs or challenging terrains where you need extra power and a slower, controlled pace. In low gear, each pedal stroke provides more force, making it easier to conquer inclines.

When to Shift

Knowing when to shift gears is essential for maintaining momentum and conserving energy. Keep these riding situations in mind:

• Anticipate terrain changes: Shift to an appropriate gear before reaching a hill or obstacle.
• Will you need more speed? Shift to a harder gear to go faster.
• Will you need more power to push through a technical section? Shift into an easier gear that maintains tension so you have traction for small pedal movements.
• Are you going uphill? Shift into an lower gear to pedal easier.
• Are you going downhill? Shift into a higher gear in case you need to pedal, you’ll be going faster, so a higher gear will engage faster. 
• Shift one gear at a time: Avoid shifting multiple gears at once, as this can strain the chain and derailleur and make the chain jump, taking time to get back into the right gear. 
• Pedal lightly while shifting: Ease off on pedal pressure slightly while shifting to allow the chain to move smoothly between gears.
• Tip: When climbing and shifting into a harder gear, make sure to shift before reaching the strenuous section to shift gears smoothly. Otherwise, you risk putting too much tension on your system, making it difficult to shift.
• Listen to Your Legs: If pedaling feels too easy or too hard, it's likely time to shift.
• Shift when YOU need to: Don’t worry about what gear your friends may be in. Focus on what you need to keep you going. 

Mastering gear shifting is a fundamental skill for beginners in mountain biking. By understanding the basic mechanics, terminology, deciphering high and low gears, and knowing when to shift, you can enhance your riding experience with efficiency and confidence. So, gear up, hit the trails, and embrace the thrill of mountain biking with newfound shifting expertise!

Happy shifting, babes! XOX.