Cyclists are weak. No, we're not singling
anyone out—even the fastest pros have a maximum power output that's
roughly the equivalent, in horsepower, to a Go-Ped scooter. Gears let us
maximize our low-power motors on the bike; specifically, being able to
choose a gear that keeps us in our cadence comfort zone, the point at
which we can pedal seemingly indefinitely without flailing around or
succumbing to a muscle-scorching slow grind.
If you really want to rock the gears, though, you need to know when
to shift outside your comfort zone, into a slightly higher (harder) or
lower (easier) gear, even momentarily, to suit what you hope to
accomplish on the bike. While the old adage "shift early, shift often,"
still applies, you should add "shift smart" to the mix. Here's how to do
it in four common situations.
The Situation: A long, gradual road climb
The Shift: This is usually the easiest shifting situation,
after flat terrain. At the base of the climb, you should be in your
comfort-zone gear--it varies from rider to rider, but for most of us
it's in the 90-revolutions-per-minute range. When your cadence starts to
slip, ease the pressure off the pedals slightly and shift into an
easier gear. Remember, shifting in the front means a big resistance
change; rear shifts are for fine-tuning your cadence. If you need to
stand, shift up a cog or two in the rear; the slightly harder gear will
allow a smooth transition. Shift between these sitting and standing
gears as you make your way up the climb.
The Situation: A moderately steep, twisty, rocky descent on your
mountain bike; the trail ends smoothly before transitioning to a long
climb
The Shift: This is a heavy shifting situation. On the way down
the slope, you'll want to shift around to stay on the harder-geared
side of your comfort zone, so you can power out of corners and over most
obstacles. (But don't stray too far—if you get hung up on something,
you'll want to be in a gear you can manage at a slower pace.) During the
transition, soft pedal and shift to the lower gear you'll need to start
the climb—you want to be in your comfort zone at the beginning of the
uphill.
The Situation: A group road ride that's heading into a sprint-finish area
The Shift: The biggest mistake most of us make in just-for-fun
sprints is telegraphing our move--we suddenly (and noisily) shift into
much higher gears, alerting everyone to our intentions. Surreptitious
presprint shifting is partially done in advance (with the front
chainring) and partially on the fly--you need to be in only a slightly
harder gear to start, as upshifts in the rear can be managed after you
jump. Move up one gear at a time, spinning out each gear (meaning faster
than your comfort zone) before shifting again.
The Situation: A rock-strewn, technical climb on your mountain bike
The Shift: Use too low a gear on a loose, technical climb and
you'll spin the rear wheel, lose momentum, and come to a halt. To avoid
that, climb in a slightly higher-than-comfort-level gear, which helps
the rear tire grip the terrain and gives you leeway for the short power
bursts needed to ascend larger rocks or log step-ups. Don't expect to
reach the top of the climb without feeling your muscles burn—in a good
way, of course.
