Shifting while standing

[Irulan]

I agree with Irulan. Shifting under load can do cause damage and if things are tuned up perfectly you can cause even more damage.

Let's just say that shifting under load has taught me lots about chain suck, and how not to shift under load.

I think I was on the MRT when I finally got it: that chain got sucked so good I thought I was going to have to hike right out of there, and one of the guys on my ride gave me a little talking to about how to (not) shift.

[SadieKate]

Theoretically, Shimano Hyperglide will shift under pressure but you risk damage: chain suck, bent/broken teeth, chain into the spokes, broken chain, etc. With the new narrower chains for 9 and 10 speed drive trains, you have even more fragile equipment. I’ve bent chain ring teeth and I’m fairly small. I’m sure I screwed up a shift somewhere along the trail even though I try to anticipate and shift early. Every coach I’ve worked with has drilled into me that a shift should be silent which is only possible when you anticipate and unweight for the shift.

[Dogmama]

I shift while climbing but I unweight, as someone else said. I pause in my pedal stroke for a split second, shift, and continue on. It takes a bit of practice. Start on gradual hills. I never jam the gears, but see the guys do it all the time.

[JanT]

I'm with Dogmama. I shift on climbs, and I shift while standing, as needed. The secret is to unweight the pedals, pause briefly, while shifting, so you don't jam the gears. I do it more often on climbs when mountain biking, but when road biking in the city, I always stand and gradually gear up when I start up from the stoplights.