Advice needed: Whats the secret to smooth changing gears?

loxster71

Hi all and forgive me as i'm a newbie with no technical knowledge at all.

What is the secret to smooth changing gears?

Is it quality shifters, derailleurs and components etc?

I have just bought shimano LX shifter pods, SLX front mech and already have LX rear mech, will this guarentee good accurate smooth gear changes?

Does the chain and sprockets have much to do with this?

Hope i don't come across a bit thick but it's all new to me.

Thanks in advance for your answers.

supersonic

Good cables, good set up, and non bent parts.

The more expensive shifters do tend to be slicker feeling, but all gears should feel smooth.

The chain and sprockets make little difference I find with 8 and 9 speed.

robertpb

To add to that, anticipation.

Making sure you're in the right gear for what's in front of you.

loxster71

Is there a noticeable difference in the type of cables i use ?

Ie, are xtr cables better than deore?
Xtr cable set on ebay £17.95 is this a good price and are they worth getting?

Thanks for your replies so far.

supersonic

Clean, well cut cables. I just use standard shimano inners and outers from the roll.

stumpyjon

Same as Sonic for cables, used expensive ones and not seen any difference in shifting performance.

The most important aspect of smooth gear changes in order are:

1. A non worn drivetrain, i.e. chain with less than 0.75% stretch (get a Park Tools chain wear checker) and sprockets that haven't shark finned or have bent teeth.
2. Properly index and setup gears, i.e. limit stops set correctly.
3. Rider technique, don't try changing gears whilst stomping on the pedal (change before you reach an obstacle as robertpb says), don't use extreme gear combinations that leave the chain on the diagonal.
4. Clean functionning cables, dont' need to be massively expensive, I reckon it's better to change them regularly anyway.
5. Quality shifters, better shifters do feel better, fully agree with Sonic on that, I replaced my LX ones with XT for feel alone.
6. Sprocket design, some sprockets have ramps etc. to help the chain shift.
7. Mechs, rear mech being more important than the front.


That's my list anyway.

Chunkers1980

Yep I'd agree on most of that above, I'd like to expand on it a bit.... But can't be assed to type... follow that and you'll be fine.

RichMTB

When and how you shift is as important as whether you have a fancy mech and shifters.

Slacken of the power of your pedalling, esp for downshift (think of it like taking you foot of the gas when change gear in your car)

llamafarmer

If you're fitting the parts yourself, follow the instructions on the Park Tools site carefully and you should be sorted. It's good to give the inner cables a wipe down now and again too, keeping them gunk free.

Atz

Yep, it's technique. I didn't really think about it until I was riding with my Mrs who is fairly new to indexed shifters and was making it sound like she was changing gears with a lump hammer.

biff55

Atz wrote:

Yep, it's technique. I didn't really think about it until I was riding with my Mrs who is fairly new to indexed shifters and was making it sound like she was changing gears with a lump hammer.

probably sram.

cycleNoodle

also dont change gear when there is a lot of pressure on the pedal as this will cause it to crunch and can in worse case scenarios break the mechs.

Dan_xz

loxster71 wrote:

Is there a noticeable difference in the type of cables i use ?

Ie, are xtr cables better than deore?
Xtr cable set on ebay £17.95 is this a good price and are they worth getting?

Thanks for your replies so far.

You'll only notice a difference if you're already a fairly slick gear changer. If your gear changing is noticablly clunky it's more likely your technique or poorly set up gears as opposed to component quality - especially getting right down to the cables. Anything from deore upwards is capable of good shifting if well installed. Higher models really just add extra polish to the action and weight loss - they only make the bike easier to ride if your already a skilled riding who can make the most of them.
As a beginner I'd say you're better spending time on the bike than spending money right now. Read a couple of articles and practice what it says - hill climbing ones are prob best for giving gear changing tips, but as other said take pressure off the pedals when you change is the main thing

stumpym4

Gears ! ... just ride a single speed !

DamonC

I am a fan of sealed cables to help retain good gear performance. The XTR have sealed ends and I have found them great on my Trek. I have just installed some Flying Snake sealed cables on my Giant and they seem good so far.