Changing gears and losing momentum

[Trekhawk]

I have been meaning to ask this question for ages but each time I get home from a ride I seem to get busy and forget until Im out on the road again.

Heres the scenario.

Im out riding and start going up a slight but long and gradually steeper incline. Im in my middle ring and start changing down on the back cogs (sorry if thats not the right term) when I cant change down any more I think well hey its time to go to my small ring on the front but this causes - as Im sure you all know- my legs to spin out of control and lose momentum (because now Im on the easiest gear of all). What should I be doing? Should I be changing up a few on my back cogs before changing down to the small ring to keep up speed and maintain cadence?

[Ninabike]

That's what I do. I shift 2 or 3 coggs higher in the back first, and then, almost simultaneoulsy, shift to the smaller chainring in front. Then I gradually adjust the back cogs to lower gears as needed.

Nina

[Trekhawk]

That's what I do. I shift 2 or 3 coggs higher in the back first, and then, almost simultaneoulsy, shift to the smaller chainring in front. Then I gradually adjust the back cogs to lower gears as needed.

Nina

Hey Nina - thanks I will give it a try on my next ride.

[CorsairMac]

yup what Nina said. The other thing I'll do is instead of shifting in the back - when the going gets tough I shift the front chainring first and leave the back where it is.

[Trekhawk]

yup what Nina said. The other thing I'll do is instead of shifting in the back - when the going gets tough I shift the front chainring first and leave the back where it is.

Thanks Corsair - Ill give that a try as well.

[makbike]

I made a small chart which has all my gear inches on it. I taped it to the top tube. I can glance down at it as I approach a climb and set myself up for the climb. The chart has helped me just about eliminate those wild spinning phase that you described.

Hope this helps!