Currier Tech Ezip, Owner'S Manual, Page: 115 / 123

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happening at the front derailleur is the opposite of what’s happening at the rear derailleur (for details, read
the instructions on Shifting the Rear Derailleur and Shifting the Front Derailleur below). For example, you can
select a gear which will make pedaling easier on a hill (make a downshift) in one of two ways: shift the chain
down the gear “steps” to a smaller gear at the front, or up the gear “steps” to a larger gear at the rear. So,
at the rear gear cluster, what is called a downshift looks like an upshift. The way to keep things straight is to
remember that shifting the chain in towards the centerline of the bike is for accelerating and climbing and is
called a downshift. Moving the chain out or away from the centerline of the bike is for speed and is called an
upshift. Whether upshifting or downshifting, the bicycle derailleur system design requires that the drive chain
be moving forward and be under at least some tension. A derailleur will shift only if you are pedaling forward.
1. shifting the Rear derailleur
The rear derailleur is controlled by the right shifter. The function of the rear derailleur is to move the drive chain from one gear
to another on the rear gear cluster, thereby changing gear drive ratios. The smaller sprockets on the gear cluster produce
higher gear ratios. Pedaling in the higher gears requires greater pedaling effort, but takes you a greater distance with each
revolution of the pedal cranks. The larger sprockets produce lower gear ratios. Using them requires less pedaling effort, but
takes you a shorter distance with each pedal crank revolution. Moving the chain from a smaller sprocket of the gear cluster to
a larger sprocket results in a downshift. Moving the chain from a larger sprocket to a smaller sprocket results in an upshift. In
order for the derailleur to disengage the chain from one sprocket and move it on to another, the chain must be moving forward
(i.e. the rider must be pedaling forward).
2. shifting the Front derailleur:
The front derailleur, which is controlled by the left shifter, shifts the chain between the larger and smaller chainrings. Shifting the
chain onto a smaller chainring makes pedaling easier (a downshift). Shifting to a larger chainring makes pedaling harder (an
upshift).
b) Which gear should I be in?
The combination of largest rear, smallest front gears is for the steepest hills. The smallest rear, largest front
combination is for the greatest speed. It is not necessary to shift gears in sequence. Instead, find the “starting
gear” which is right for your level of ability -- a gear which is hard enough for quick acceleration but easy
enough to let you start from a stop without wobbling — and experiment with upshifting and downshifting to get
a feel for the different gear combinations. At first, practice shifting where there are no obstacles, hazards or
other traffic, until you’ve built up your confidence. Once you’ve learned the basics, experience will teach you
which gear is appropriate for which condition, and practice will help you shift smoothly and at precisely the
optimum moment.