How to Shift Gears on a Mountain Bike

The bike used for mountain biking has undergonebikes when you go uphill from a plane. When you
tremendous changes. Its strength increased andstart climbing the slope, you do not need to change
weight decreased. Its appearance became sleek andthe gears. You can use the same gear and try to run
trendy. Also, the number of gears increasedup the slope with as much speed as possible. Once
substantially. Most of the latest models of mountainyou find it difficult to pedal, you can shift gears.
bikes have as many as 27 gears. So, changing gearsWhen you change gears, do not instantly change to
has become difficult, especially those who are newthe gear that would give you maximum speed when
to this adventurous sport. One may not be sureyou go up a hill. Instead, change the gear to an easy
whether the gear has actually been changed to theand slow mode. The emphasis here is not on speed,
intended gear or not. The question how to shiftbut spending less energy.
gears on a mountain bike has become one of theOnce you reach a flat surface or a surface with a
most sought after section in mountain biking tutorials.downward slope, you can change to fast gears again.
It is natural that one might wonder what on earth aAgain, change to a slower gear when you reach a
mountain bike needs that many gears. Each gear issteep slope. The procedure repeats when your reach
for riding at optimum speed on a particular type ofthe flat surface again. The important lesson in the
terrain. It is common for a mountain bike rider toguide to how to shift gears in a mountain bike is to
experience various kinds of terrains: hilly, wet, dry,slow down by applying brake when you enter a
steep slope, rough, stone filled, you name it.different type of terrain. Shift the gear accordingly
One-type-fits-all-kind of gears will not work hereonly after becoming comfortable with riding.
since speed is an important factor in the equation forThere are different types of gear system used in
competition victory. So, for getting maximum andmountain bikes. How to shift gear on a mountain bike
optimum speed, one should learn how to shift gearsactually depends on the kind of gear system you
on a mountain bike.have got. For riding down the slope, gear system
The problem with specialized gears for specific terrainwith a front socket is ideal. But for going up the hill, a
is that if you change to a wrong gear, the result mayback socket gear system is generally considered
be embarrassing and sometimes dangerous. Here aregood.
some tips to properly change gears on a mountain