How and Why to Use Gears on Your Electric Bike

Why do electric bikes have gears and how do you use the gears on an electric bike? If you've asked these questions, then this is the video for you. Gears may seem superfluous when you have a throttle and pedal assist on your bike but gears are actually great for when you want to get more of a workout on your bike and really maximize your calorie burn. Gears allow you to tailor each bike ride or even each hill to your effort level. Going for a casual ride and don't want to do much work? Gears can help with that, but they can also help if you DO want put in more work but don't want to turn off pedal assist. Once you practice using your gears in combination with pedal assist, you'll quickly get a feel for what works for you but in this video we give you examples of what gears we use to tackle the same hill with 3 different effort levels.

To jump right to the gears we used to get uphill, click here:

4:43 Uphill Examples

Remember, each hill is different and there are so many different factors that come into play such as wind resistance plus your own energy levels and strength so be sure to experiment to get the most out of your bike rides!

To get an extra 5% off electric bikes use code YT5
To get $10 off standard bikes use code YT10

Join our EXCLUSIVE community of sixthreezero Pedalers for sneak peeks, giveaways and tips:

Download the new Sixthreezero Pedaling app:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subscribe to our Channel:

Shop our entire website here:

Follow us on Social Media:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Comfort and Customization. Those two elements drive the design of sixthreezero’s line of bikes. Bikes designed to ensure every rider’s body will be positioned for maximum comfort. This design philosophy is integrated across all of our bike categories, including Hybrid, Cruiser, Comfort, City and Commuter bikes. We know not everybody is the same, and we are individuals. That’s why we allow for full customization of all our bikes, visit our customizer here:

We are exclusively an online retailer of bicycles.

We offer FREE SHIPPING to the Continental US (excludes Hawaii & Alaska)

30 Day Test Ride Your Bike policy:

Keep your bike for 30 days, if at any point you don’t love it, send it back for free with no restocking fees. Learn more here:

Take our Body Fit Quiz, no body is the same. Let us help find you your perfect fit.

People Pedaling. That’s the sixthreezero mission. It’s simple, we want to get as many people pedaling as possible. It can change lives and help save our planet. Join us as we strive to grow the number of People of Pedaling and see how it can impact your life.

[davidbrewster]

Thank you dear, this is the clearest explanation I've read. You are a natural educator, and after watching so many videos on this topic it was SO refreshing to come across your video.
Well done. Thank you.

[TheAx]

I got my Pedego a few weeks ago from 203. This video was very helpful as I am still exploring the different pedal assist modes and gear settings. Thanks!

[flexv]

Best videos on changing gears with e-bike well done

[Drew]

Thank you very much, great video. Awesome job

[JuCarlos-exip]

Thanks for sharing the video it helped

[courtneybrown]

Thank you so much. I just purchased my 1st ebike and this by far has been the best explanation for shifting gears.

[virginiaramos]

Awesome video. Just got my new e-bike and this info really helped me. Thanks a bunch.

[simplelife]

Thank you my dear for the wonderful video!

[kweikikwapong]

Thank you very much for this video. I have just purchased my first e-bike which I took out for a spin for the first time last week. I struggled with understanding how to use the gears and Pedal assist (and of course there was NOTHING in the instruction manual about that). Armed with the information I have gained from this video I will not despair and will try again.

[GetToSleepFaster]

Thank you Alana so much. This helped a lot.

[yogeshnaik]

Very nice video..iam from Goa India I had to make a mid drive motor ebike just to take good advantage of gears and yes it works exactly as you said..I used to get 20kms per charge but I realised I was making a mistake of using high gear in anticipation of more top speed on throttle only..then I changed to mid gear pickup is much zipper top speed is less but mileage rised to 80kms per charge with pas n throttle

[SmokeyTreats]

I'm new to E-Bikes, only on my 3rd charge. My first question has to do with downshifting. Let's say your in gear 7 & you're letting up & starting to break as you're coming up to a stop sign. Can you go from 7 to 1 or should you go through each gear before reaching 1? Seems weird to be pedaling while braking because you're downshifting. Also when upshifting should you let up between shifts or just keep pedaling consistently? Thanks for your vid!

[JnTmarie]

Thank you just got the hey bike Mars and the instructions are from China. No explanation of gears. I’m riding in nyc across town and along the river to a fitness center. I will be riding long trips w my son so I got an ebike so I can keep up. Eating whole food plant based bought a Tesla and a folding ebike to put in the back so I can get around on my own anywhere! 💃💪🏻💗💜

[aimster]

Thanks for the video!! Unrelated question: I noticed Alanna is wearing the Thousand helmet (at least I think it is...lol) what color is that? Is it artic grey?

[MargieETX]

I'm using low pedal assist on mainly flat roads. My bike has 7 gears. I should use a higher gear to get more exercise while not making my bike go too fast?
Then shift to lower gear when I encounter hills?

[beansrgd]

Can you please explain the downshifting before stopping?
I’m nervous about pressing it too hard and slip the chain. I can ride for ten minutes and now am ready to go longer on a main road. I ride at night in my complex with no interruptions on flat terrain parking lots. Plus the sis is only to gear upward correct? I’m fumbling to move the gear down. So I put the power assist back t to zero and slow down. Ty for your help.!!!!

[joelstaples]

So if you just want to fully use the pedal assess you just keep it on gear 6?

[randomescu]

Hello. How about motors parts protection? Not chain's or battery itself, only the motor kit.
I planned to buy an 1000euros e-bike in 2024, cheapest being at 700 euros in my country. But ive got a 5000 euros bike as a gift ftom my brother! Huge battery, over 200km on Eco assist on plain roads. The battery cost 1000euros, with some search 800. The problem is the motor kit, to replace it i would need to go into another bigger town. So i want to protect it! The battery will probably last several years for now considering im commuting only 1/3 of a year, when its not cold outside, max 15 km per day.
So my question is, should i use a lower gear to protect the engine? My town is on hills.

[hphillips]

Good video. I am new to ebikes and was surprised the throttle and front brake is on the left handle bar. Are all ebikes this way? If so why are they opposite of a motorcycle? Thanks and have a good one

[michaelhall]

Can you suggest the most efficient bike for using gears and not pedal assist or throttle? I want to buy an ebike but mostly want a workout and seldom will use the battery? Thank you