I memorize which way the levers go for easier or harder pedaling. I started on my mountain bike, which has numbers on the dials, but I didn't want to have to look.

I memorized it on that bike this way: The harder it is to push the button (meaning having to use the lever that is not conveniently at my thumb), the easier it is to push the pedals.

It's a similar thing on my road bike with brifters, but the levers are different.

On my touring bike, with downtube friction shifters, I had to remember a whole different system, and it wasn't until I started riding it that I realized the chain is closer to the frame when it's easy to pedal, and closer to my right leg when it's hardest. I look down at the chain on that one a lot, but I don't like to.

It's funny because I rode bikes with friction shifters all through my childhood and I don't remember even considering how or when to shift. I just did it, or didn't, depending on if the bike was working or not (many of the series of 10-speeds I acquired because the last one got stolen were poorly adjusted and/or good or bad quality--I was just happy to have a bike). I never gave it a thought--I just pedaled.

Karen