It’s not uncommon for cyclists to ride the same bike for years, or even decades. But as bikes and components get updated, it can be hard to keep up with the latest technology – especially if you’re riding an older road bike. Here are a few tips on how to shift gears on an old road bike.
First, check to see if your bike is compatible with the latest generation of shifters. If it is, then you can simply replace the old shifters with new ones. If not, then you’ll need to adjust the position of the derailleurs.
This can be done by loosening the derailleur bolts and moving the derailleurs in or out until they line up with the correct gear.
Once the derailleurs are in the correct position, you can adjust the limit screws to make sure the chain doesn’t fall off the gears. The limit screws are usually located on the back of the derailleurs.
- Look down at your shifters and find the one labeled “friction
- Push the friction shifter with your thumb
- While holding the friction shifter, use your index finger to click the shifter on the other side labeled “index
- Downshift the chain by moving the chain from the big chainring in the front to a smaller chainring
- Upshift the chain by moving the chain from a smaller chainring to a bigger chainring
- To change gears, push the friction shifter with your thumb while holding the index shifter with your index finger
First And Last Dura-Ace Downtube Shifters: Index Vs Friction
How do I shift my road bike gears?
There are two types of road bike gears – derailleur gears and hub gears. Derailleur gears are the most common, and they work by moving the chain from one sprocket to another. Hub gears are less common, and they work by having the sprockets and gears enclosed within the hub of the wheel.
To shift gears on a road bike with derailleur gears, you use your shifters. There are two shifters – one on the left handlebar for the front derailleur, and one on the right handlebar for the rear derailleur. To shift up to a higher gear, you push the shifter on the appropriate handlebar forwards.
To shift down to a lower gear, you pull the shifter backwards. It’s important to only shift one gear at a time, and to pedalling gently while you do so.
How do you shift Shimano gears on a road bike?
If you’re new to road biking, you might be wondering how to shift gears on your bike. Shimano is one of the most popular brands of bike components, and their gear shifters are used on many road bikes. Here’s a quick guide on how to shift Shimano gears on a road bike.
To shift up to a higher gear, you’ll need to push the shifter lever on the right side of the handlebar forward. For shifting down to a lower gear, you’ll need to push the lever backward. It’s important to know which way the lever moves, because if you push it the wrong way, you could accidentally shift into a harder gear and make pedaling more difficult.
When you’re shifting gears, you’ll want to be in a light gear (a higher number) when you’re going downhill or pedaling easy, and in a harder gear (a lower number) when you’re going uphill or pedaling hard.
How do you properly shift a bike?
There are a few things to keep in mind when shifting gears on a bike. First, it is important to know which gear you are in. You can do this by looking down at the front derailleur and seeing which chain ring the chain is on.
If the chain is on the larger chain ring, you are in a higher gear. If the chain is on the smaller chain ring, you are in a lower gear.
To shift gears, you will use the shifters on the handlebars.
On most bikes, there are two shifters, one on the left handlebar and one on the right. The left shifter controls the front derailleur and the right shifter controls the rear derailleur.
To shift gears, you will need to use the shifter on the appropriate side.
For example, to shift from a higher gear to a lower gear on the front derailleur, you would use the left shifter.
Do you pedal while shifting gears?
If you’re new to biking, you may be wondering if you should pedal while shifting gears. The answer is yes! Pedaling while shifting gears helps to keep the chain from falling off the bike, and it also helps to make shifting smoother and easier.
Here are a few tips to help you get the hang of it:
1. Practice shifting gears while pedaling slowly. This will help you get a feel for how the gears work and how much pressure you need to apply to the pedals.
2. Don’t try to shift gears while pedaling too hard. This can cause the chain to come off the bike.
3. When you’re ready to shift gears, pedaling lightly while you move the shifter will help make the transition smoother.
With a little practice, you’ll be shifting gears like a pro in no time!

Credit: ilovebicycling.com
How to use downtube shifters
Downtube shifters are a type of shifter that is mounted on the downtube of the frame, near the bottom bracket. They are most commonly used on road bikes and mountain bikes.
There are two types of downtube shifters: friction and indexed.
Friction shifters allow you to make small adjustments to your gears, while indexed shifters click into place, making it easier to find the right gear.
To use a friction shifter, start by finding the appropriate gear for your current speed and terrain. Then, gently apply pressure to the shifter lever in the direction you want to go.
For example, if you want to shift from the big ring to the small ring, you would push the lever to the left. If you want to shift from the small ring to the big ring, you would push the lever to the right.
To use an indexed shifter, start by finding the appropriate gear for your current speed and terrain.
How to change gears on vintage bike
If you’re lucky enough to own a vintage bike, you probably already know how to change gears. But for those who are new to vintage bikes, or those who are thinking about getting one, here’s a quick guide on how to change gears on a vintage bike.
There are two main types of vintage bikes – those with derailleurs and those with internal hub gears.
Derailleur gears are the more common type, and are operated by a lever on the handlebars. Internal hub gears are less common, but are becoming more popular, and are operated by a shifter on the down tube of the frame.
To change gears on a derailleur bike, simply move the lever on the handlebars until the chain is on the correct cog.
On an internal hub bike, twist the shifter on the down tube until the chain is on the correct gear.
That’s all there is to it!
How to shift gears on a road bike shimano
If you’re new to road biking, you might be wondering how to shift gears on your bike. Here’s a quick guide on how to do it with a Shimano drivetrain.
To shift gears on a Shimano drivetrain, you’ll need to use the shifters on your handlebars.
On the right handlebar, there is a shifter for your right hand and on the left handlebar, there is a shifter for your left hand.
To shift up to a higher gear, you’ll need to push the shifter on the appropriate handlebar forward with your thumb. To shift down to a lower gear, you’ll need to push the shifter backward with your index finger.
It’s important to note that you should only shift gears when you’re pedaling, and not when you’re coasting. Coasting can cause the chain to come off the gears, which can be dangerous.
Road bike gear shifter types
There are two types of road bike gear shifters:
1. Derailleur shifters: These shifters are connected to the bike’s derailleurs, which are responsible for moving the chain from one gear to another. Derailleur shifters are usually located on the down tube of the frame, near the pedals.
2. Hub shifters: Hub shifters are located on the bike’s hub, and are used to shift the gears of the bike’s internal gear hub. Hub shifters are usually found on bikes that have internally-geared hubs, which are becoming increasingly popular.
Which type of shifter you use will depend on the type of bike you have and your personal preference.
Derailleur shifters are the most common type of shifter, but hub shifters are becoming more popular, especially on bikes with internally-geared hubs.
How to change shifters on road bikes
Shifting gears on a road bike can be a daunting task for new cyclists. There are two types of shifters – STI (Shimano Total Integration) and Ergopower (Campagnolo). Both work similarly, but STI shifters are more popular.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to change gears on a road bike with STI shifters:
1. First, make sure that your bike is in the correct gear for the terrain. If you’re on flat ground, you’ll want to be in a lower gear.
If you’re going uphill, you’ll want to be in a higher gear.
2. To shift up a gear, click the right shifter. The chain will move to a larger cog on the rear cassette.
3. To shift down a gear, click the left shifter. The chain will move to a smaller cog on the rear cassette.
How to shift gears on a bike for dummies
If you’re new to biking, understanding how to shift gears can be daunting. Here’s a quick rundown of how to do it like a pro.
To shift gears on a bike, you’ll need to be in the correct gear for your current speed and terrain.
For example, if you’re going up a hill, you’ll want to be in a lower gear so you can pedal more easily. If you’re going downhill, you’ll want to be in a higher gear so you can pedal faster.
To change gears, you’ll use the shifters on your bike.
On most bikes, the left shifter controls the front gears (also called the chainrings) and the right shifter controls the rear gears (also called the cogs). To shift up to a higher gear, you’ll need to pedal faster and use the shifter on the appropriate side to click up to the next gear.
How to shift shimano gears
Shifting gears on a Shimano drivetrain is a simple process, but one that requires a bit of practice to perfect. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your Shimano shifting:
1. For the best shifting performance, start with your chain in the middle ring up front and the middle cog in the rear.
This will help ensure that your chain is properly aligned and tensioned.
2. When shifting up or down the cassette, always use the smallest chainring in the front. This will help prevent the chain from falling off the gears.
3. When shifting gears, always pedaling lightly. This will help the chain engage the teeth on the gear you’re shifting to more easily.
4. Be sure to shift the front derailleur first, and then the rear.
This order will help prevent the chain from getting caught on the derailleur and damaging it.
How to shift gears on a mountain bike
If you’re new to mountain biking, the thought of shifting gears might be a little daunting. But don’t worry – it’s actually pretty easy once you get the hang of it. Here’s a quick guide to shifting gears on a mountain bike.
First, let’s talk about what gears are and why they’re important. Your bike has a set of gears, also known as cogs, that are located on the rear wheel. These cogs are connected to the pedals, and they help you pedal more efficiently by letting you choose the right gear for the terrain.
There are two types of mountain bike gears – front and rear. The front gears are located on the crank, and they’re usually smaller than the rear gears. The rear gears are located on the cassette, and they’re usually larger than the front gears.
To shift gears, you’ll use the shifters, which are located on the handlebars.
Conclusion
If you’re like many riders, you probably don’t give much thought to how you shift gears on your bike. After all, it’s just a matter of pedaling faster or slower, right? Wrong.
Shifting gears on a bike is actually a bit more complicated than that, and if you don’t do it properly, you could damage your bike or even injure yourself.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to shifting gears on an old road bike:
1. First, identify which gear you’re in.
If you’re not sure, stop pedaling and look at the chain. It should be in line with the smallest cog on the cassette (rear gear cluster). If it’s not, you’re in the wrong gear.
2. To shift up to a higher gear, you’ll need to pedal faster. As you do, you’ll feel the chain start to come off the small cog.
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