Tips for Shifting Gears on a Mountain

Bike By Robert Rankin, Robbinsville NC

Robert Rankin currently leads the Snowbird Mountain Lodge in Robbinsville, NC, as president and chief executive officer. When he is not overseeing operations at the Robbinsville, NC, facility, Robert Rankin enjoys staying active by hiking and mountain biking.

One of the biggest differences between mountain bikes and single-speed city bikes are the different gears found a mountain bike. Shifting gears can be a strange experience for first-time riders. However, there are a few things a cyclist can keep in mind to make gear shifting a fluid and enjoyable process.

Introduction

First, remember to continue pedaling during a gear shift, whether you’re changing to a higher or lower gear. Be sure to ease the pedaling force during the actual shift, but you should never stop rotating the pedals.

It’s also critical to be aware of the terrain. Changing conditions of a trail may indicate it is time to shift gears. For example, you’ll find that shifting down to a lower gear while going uphill will allow for an easier climb. However, the shift should be made in anticipation of the climb rather than after momentum has already been lost.

Shifting Gears