Shifting without gear indicators

[nscrbug]

I've never ridden a bike WITH shift indicators...sure sounds cool, though! I go by feel, like everyone else. Can't tell ya how many times I thought I had one more gear to shift down into, only to discover that I was out of gears. Yup...that's when you just HTFU and keep pedaling.

[Mr. Bloom]

I think indicators can be added at the LBS.

[jessmarimba]

My new bike doesn't have them either. I'll +1 Veronica's comment.

But it is an awfully happy feeling sometimes to get off the bike and realize you were in a harder gear than you thought and still felt great!

[emily_in_nc]

I have never had shift indicators until I got a mtb. And I never remembered to even use them since I wasn't used to 'em!

I just kinda glance back and down (between my legs, I guess) if I have any curiosity about which gear I'm in in back. But normally I go by feel, and with my bar-end shifters, by the position they are in (another nice advantage of barcons!)

[Chicken Little]

I agree with most people here. I don't use the indicators. Once in a while I might glance down, but mostly it's to trim.

[DarcyInOregon]

Like everyone said, it is by feel. It helps to ride as diverse terrain as possible for your region and you get the feel for where to be for what type of hill or continuous climb or false flat or headwind you are pedaling. You are riding well if you are shifting and asking questions about shifting. Like others said, it is an oh oh moment when you are in the lowest cog possible and there is still a lot of extremely steep grade stretching out before you, and so you want to bike enough terrain to figure out what makes an oh oh moment for you because that is when it is critical. The rest of it, you can shift up and down based on your cadence and it only takes a few rides before it is all automatic for you.

[maillotpois]

What does a gear indicator look like?

[laura*]

I think indicators can be added at the LBS.

Not on the new high end SRAM triggers.

Hmmm - maybe it is possible to mount some "inline" indicators into the shift cables.

[crazycanuck]

I just go by feel..I have an inkling of what gear i'm in on the mtb when i'm on it. When I start out, i'm in X gear then i move up or down blah blah blah depending on the terrain..

Aren't you practicing in some park that's flat? Why not just stop and look at your rear cassette and have a think...

Don't make it so difficult.


I'll tell ya one thing..we have a race this weekend & it's uphill...i'll be in low gear...trying not to die...

[Becky]

I just glance down or back as needed. Mostly, I go by feel...

[Mr. Bloom]

Not on the new high end SRAM triggers.

Hmmm - maybe it is possible to mount some "inline" indicators into the shift cables.

Mine is on the cable, rear only. The LBS offered to put one on the rear if I wanted.

[Catrin]

I am going to ask them to put an X0 grip for the front shifter - I really like those so much better - even though the triggers are fine - I would think that there wouldn't be any issues with that. I will not do this right away - but it can't be that expensive outside of labor.

[Miranda]

+1 for reply on Shimano Flight Deck, but that doesn't help you w SRAM obviously.

I don't have that now on any of my bikes.

For my mtb, when I have to think more quickly about shifting on the trail, I just made up a word relation to know which way to shift. Things in biking are backwards I think lol.

OK, my words I use on the mtb are: "the 'big easy'... as something in like that old movie... means easier / smaller ring gear to turn... so use big lever to make it easy". Obviously the reverse, the smaller sized lever makes it harder / bigger gear ring to turn. Seems like big lever should equal big gear?!

Always leads me to believe gearing was invented by a dyslexic. Which I'm slightly that way too. Still gotta have the word trick lol.

p.s. and yes, by feel, also you can tell by the amount of grease or dirt on that gear ring that is your favorite, plus the wear on the teeth.

[zoom-zoom]

OK, my words I use on the mtb are: "the 'big easy'... as something in like that old movie... means easier / smaller ring gear to turn... so use big lever to make it easy". Obviously the reverse, the smaller sized lever makes it harder / bigger gear ring to turn. Seems like big lever should equal big gear?!

Always leads me to believe gearing was invented by a dyslexic. Which I'm slightly that way too.

I HATED this about Shimano...which is why I went for a bike with SRAM for my 2nd road bike. I won't go back.