Owner`s manual

132
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2) Shifting the Front Derailleur:
The front derailleur, which is controlled by the left shifter, shifts the chain between the larger and smaller chainrings. Shifting the
chain onto a smaller chainring makes pedaling easier (a downshift). Shifting to a larger chainring makes pedaling harder (an
upshift).
b) Which gear should I be in?
The combination of largest rear, smallest front gears is for the steepest hills. The smallest rear, largest front
combination is for the greatest speed. It is not necessary to shift gears in sequence. Instead, find the “starting
gear” which is right for your level of ability -- a gear which is hard enough for quick acceleration but easy
enough to let you start from a stop without wobbling — and experiment with upshifting and downshifting to get
a feel for the different gear combinations. At first, practice shifting where there are no obstacles, hazards or
other traffic, until you’ve built up your confidence. Once you’ve learned the basics, experience will teach you
which gear is appropriate for which condition, and practice will help you shift smoothly and at precisely the
optimum moment.
3. Shifting an internal gear hub drivetrain
If your bicycle has an internal gear hub drivetrain, the gear changing mechanism will consist of:
A 3, 5, 7 or possibly 12 speed internal gear hub•
One, or sometimes two, shifters•
One or two control cables•
One front sprockets called chainrings•
A drive chain•
a) Shifting internal gear hub gears
Shifting with an internal gear hub drivetrain is simply a matter of moving the shifter to the indicated position
for the desired gear. After you have moved the shifter to the gear position of your choice, ease the pressure
on the pedals for an instant to allow the hub to complete the shift.
b) Which gear should I be in?
The numerically lowest gear (1) is for the steepest hills. The numerically largest gear (3, 5, 7 or 12, depending
on the number of speeds of your hub) is for the greatest speed. Shifting from an easier, “slower” gear (like
1) to a harder, “faster” gear (like 2 or 3) is called an upshift. Shifting from a harder, “faster” gear to an easier,
“slower” gear is called a downshift. It is not necessary to shift gears in sequence. Instead, find the “starting
gear” for the conditions -- a gear which is hard enough for quick acceleration but easy enough to let you start
from a stop without wobbling -- and experiment with upshifting and downshifting to get a feel for the different
gears. At first, practice shifting where there are no obstacles, hazards or other traffic, until you’ve built up your