shifting gears

progers12

Hi - I've been riding a road bike (Specialized Allez double, 8 speed) for a few months now to commute to work. I've been using my gears how i think I should be but I'm not 100% sure that I'm using them right.

When I set off I have the smallest sprocket on the front chainset selected with the largest on the back, then I work my way down to the smallest sprocket on the rear.

As I get near the smallest sprocket on the rear I change to the largest on the front and then work my way back up.

Is this right or I am doing it all completely wrong.

Thanks - Paul

danowat

I very, very rarely use the inner chainring on my bikes, just leave it in the large(r) one and shift on the rear.

Just use them how you feel comfortable using them.

Monty Dog

There is some cross-over between the available gear ratios between the small and large chainrings, so you probably don't need to be as methodical in your sequencing. Your fitness, strength and terrain are equally independant determinants of what gears you need to be riding in - it will come down to your own riding experience and knowledge to know what works for you, rather than following some arbitrary, prescribed approach. TBH I wouldn't get to hung-up on this - just get our there and ride and it'll come with time.