
Shifting gears on an electric bike is similar to shifting gears on a normal bike. However, there are some differences to be aware of. Firstly, make sure you are pedalling when you shift gears. If you are using the throttle and not pedalling, you risk the chain coming off. You can change the pedal-assist level or shift the gears of the bike. The actual electric motor doesn't have anything that you shift.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
When to shift gears | When you are pedalling, not using the throttle |
How to shift gears | Use the gear shifters located on the handlebars |
How to shift gears | Slide or click the right shifter on the handlebars |
How to shift gears | Use a dial or grip shifter |
How to shift gears | Use a thumb shifter |
How to shift gears | Use a twist shifter |
How to shift gears | Pedal lightly when changing gears to prevent strain on the chain and gears |
How to shift gears | Start in a lower gear when at a stop or climbing hills, then shift to higher gears as you gain speed |
How to shift gears | Change the pedal-assist level |
What You'll Learn
The importance of pedalling when shifting gears
It is important to be pedalling when you shift gears on an electric bike. If you are using the throttle and not pedalling, you should not shift gears, as this could cause the chain to come off. You should also be pedalling lightly when you shift gears, as this will help to prevent strain on the bike's chain and gears.
Electric bikes have different types of gear shifters, including thumb shifters and twist shifters. The shifter is usually located on the handlebars, but some bikes have a dial or grip shifter placed inside where your hands go. To shift gears, you will either slide or click the shifter.
The left shifter on an e-bike changes the level of pedal assist. Lower numbers are low gears, and higher numbers are high gears. Lower gears make it easier to pedal, while the highest gears will take the most effort. You can adjust your bike's gear and power to obtain your ideal level of pedalling effort.
When changing e-bike gears and power levels, you should first change electric assist levels, then change mechanical gear levels. It is best to start in a lower gear when at a stop or climbing hills and shift to higher gears as you gain speed.
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How to shift gears on an electric bike
Shifting gears on an electric bike is similar to shifting gears on a normal bike. However, there are some differences to be aware of. Firstly, make sure you are pedalling when you shift gears. If you are using the throttle and not pedalling, you risk the chain coming off.
To shift gears, use the gear shifters located on the handlebars. Different electric bike brands have different kinds of shifting mechanisms, including dial shifters, grip shifters, thumb shifters, and twist shifters. When changing gears, lightly pedal without putting much force on the pedals to prevent strain on the chain and gears.
Start in a lower gear when at a stop or climbing hills, and shift to higher gears as you gain speed. Lower gears make it easier to pedal, while the highest gears will take the most effort. On an electric bike, you can also change the pedal-assist level to adjust the amount of assistance the electric motor provides.
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The different types of shifters
Electric bikes have different types of shifters, which are located on the handlebars. These include:
- Dial shifter: This is placed inside where your hands go on the bike.
- Grip shifter: This is also placed inside where your hands go on the bike.
- Thumb throttle shifter: This is mostly found on mountain bikes.
- Twist shifter: This is mostly found on recreational bikes.
The type of shifter on your electric bike will depend on the gear system and the type of bike you have. To shift gears, you must be pedalling. If you're using the throttle and not pedalling, you should not shift gears as this could cause the chain to come off.
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The difference between pedal-assist and full bicycle mode
Electric bikes have different types of shifting mechanisms, depending on the brand. Some have a dial or grip shifter, while others have thumb or twist shifters. The shifter is usually located on the handlebars.
To shift gears on an electric bike, you must be pedalling. If you are using the throttle and not pedalling, do not shift gears, as this could cause the chain to come off.
To shift gears in either mode, simply shift the bike as you would a normal bike. Start in a lower gear when at a stop or climbing hills, and shift to higher gears as you gain speed. For smoother shifting, lightly pedal without putting much force on the pedals when you change gears. This helps prevent strain on the bike's chain and gears.
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The importance of starting in a lower gear
When riding an electric bike, it's important to start in a lower gear. This is because lower gears make it easier to pedal, which is especially important when you're starting from a stop or climbing hills. Lower gears also help to prevent strain on the bike's chain and gears, which can cause the chain to come off.
Starting in a lower gear will also help you to gain speed more easily. Once you're going faster, you can shift to a higher gear. This is because higher gears are better for descents, as they are harder and require more pedal effort.
It's also important to note that the actual electric motor on an electric bike doesn't have gears that you can shift. When you shift gears on an electric bike, you're shifting the gears in the bicycle wheel, not the gears of the electric motor. This is similar to shifting gears on a normal bike, and you can use the gear shifters located on the handlebars to do this.
Different electric bike brands have different kinds of shifting mechanisms, so it's important to familiarise yourself with your bike's specific setup. Some bikes use twist shifters, while others use thumb throttle shifters or a dial or grip shifter placed inside where your hands go on the bike.
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Frequently asked questions
Use the gear shifters located on the handlebars. For smoother shifting, lightly pedal without putting much force on the pedals when you change gears.
If you're using the throttle on an electric bike and you're not pedalling, you shouldn't shift gears as it could cause the chain to come off.
The left shifter on an e-bike changes the level of pedal assist. The right shifter changes the mechanical gear levels.
High gear is best for descents because it is where the highest electric assistance gear on your bike is.