How To Use Road Bike Shifters | Change Gear On Your Road Bike

Here's our complete guide to how to use the 3 main brands of shifter - Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo.

The gear changing mechanism on a bicycle has changed quite a bit over the past 30 years or so, but these days all of your shifting is typically done from the same levers that control your braking. Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo levers work in a similar fashion but each of them function in a slightly different way. Simon talks through each of the three different groupsets and how exactly to shift into an easier or harder gear.

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Leave us a comment below!

[gamerN]

I don't see why people are so upset about the fact that there's a video on basic things. I for one, who has just bought his first road bike, don't mind being explained basic tasks before learning about more advanced things and seeing the differences across brands. Nice video!

[Guzmanazo]

Well, thanks for the video! Having ridden mountain bikes for more than 25 years, I bought my first road bike this year, and proudly rode out of my LBS...only to find that I didn't know how to use STi levers! Being a proud alpha-male, I didn't go back to the shop to ask, but rode to a hidden back alley where I spend the next 30 min figuring out how to change gears.... lesson learnt...

[Will-hiiy]

I for one found this video useful, I'm new to road biking in general. I don't understand how people find cause for complain..., if you don't need any advice on gear shifting, don't click on a video titled How To Use Road Bike Shifters and then complain when it's basic/novice information.

[bitflip]

Ha, I actually needed this video a couple of months ago, when I bought my first road bike. I know many will laugh at this video, but in a long run, this will help a lot of people.

[joelstinton]

Just like to say as someone who been riding for just over a year, GCN videos have been invaluable to me. Learnt so much. Thanks for the good work GCN.

[PaulAllenLSTNE]

I see there are a lot of cycling elitist snobs on here. The comments section is full of people why it is so hard to get new people on bikes now day. I have a tri bike with bar end shifters and thought about buying a true road bike and this type of info is very helpful. I am so glad that most of you guys were born with this knowledge and never had to learn it.

[flyingiosandroid]

What's with all the hate for this video? All the long time cyclists asking whether this is a joke or not don't seem to realise that videos like these are essential for people new to the sport. I for one work in a cycle shop, and the number of people that will come back saying their gears aren't working not understanding how to use them properly is very high. Just because you've been riding for 10 years and know everything about a bike doesn't mean that this video is a 'joke'.

[JonProce]

I'm a mountain biker who bought a CX bike this year to help improve my fitness and endurance. I managed to figure it out but this video would have been very relevant to me at the time. We live in different worlds; this concept was completely foreign to me.

[nobdy_]

The first question moutainbikers got when they see a road bike

[cambmw]

comment section proof as to why most non-cyclists think most cyclists are complete uptight snobs

[IGotsBadFeeling]

Attention everyone who already know how to shift: THIS VIDEO IS NOT MEANT FOR YOU.
This is clearly made for newcomers who never rode a roadbike before.

[testohtoby]

I've been using a standard mtb for my whole 23 years and today I've been gifted a 90s cool Bottecchia with a shifter of this kind. Thanks for the tips

[JoseCastillo-fenb]

Thanks for this. While I have been riding for a while I would have loved this when I started out! Please continue to remember that not all who enjoy cycling have years of experience.

[TimothyFish]

While I didn't need to see this video, there are a lot of people who haven't ridden a road bike. Having videos like this may be helpful to them.

[josephgonzalez_]

Great video. I used to ride road bikes in the 90s and used the old tube shifters. When I got back into cycling this year I bought a new(ish) bike and discovered that I didn't know how to change the gears - I had to find a YT video to learn how to do it.

Don't listen to the predictable sneering from the "are you going to do a video on how to ride a bike" mob. This is genuinely useful for cycling newcomers and returners.

[juliatyrer-cutts]

This video tutorial is super helpful. Bought my bike 4 years ago just before I had an operation. Not used it since and had forgotten how to use the gears. This tutorial made it so simple and easy to remember and with a bit of practice on my first time out I'd got it. Thank you GCN.

[philippliskin]

Been looking for something like this for days. A million videos about downshifting on climbs, not crossing your chain etc but nothing about shifting back up until now. Thanks Si

[Parallellines]

Great video - thanks for posting these beginner introductions. I’ve just bought my first road bike having only had mountain bikes before. I wanted to make sure I master the basics before getting myself into danger on the road. We all start somewhere!

[raymondchandler]

I DID just buy a new road bike to supplement my classic or vintage 1980's Dawes Road Bike. Was flummoxed by the gear shifting so I came back inside to search for a helpful video. This video was excellent. Thank you very much!

[tonyevans]

This was very useful to me, well explained. I've just bought a road bike to help build up strength in my legs after a serious illness. The thought of the gears changing was delaying my purchase. But what a difference these new gear changers make, no more reaching down to manipulate levers on the old bikes. Thanks again for a clear tutorial.