Gear shifting on a bike is not a simple task. The complexity only enhances when were talking about down hill riding, especially down the wonderful slopes of Morzine and Les Gets. Shifting gears in a incorrect way can cause for insufficient riding, for the chain to fall off and for damage to the gearing system in the long term. Here are a few tips to help get to know how gears should be shifted, especially while riding down hill trails:

• The right hand gear shift controls the back gears and the left one controls the front mechanism.
• When riding downhill it is usually best for the chain to be on the biggest chain wheel of the front mechanism. Before stopping or while riding uphill it is better for the chain to be on the smallest.
• The basic rule is that the higher the gear, the further the bike goes with each revolution of the pedals. The lower the gear the more power given on each revolution of the wheels (at the expense of riding slower).
• On the back mechanism the smallest wheel is the highest gear. It is important not to ride on a high gear in the front mechanism, while being on a low gear on the back one (or the other way around). That way of riding causes pressure on the chain.
• You can only shift gears while riding.
• If you are a beginning rider, on your first rides in Morzine, we recommend that the first few trails you’ll ride on your vacation should be easy trail, in order to learn the art of gear shifting, before advancing to down hill trails. In any case, riding the first few trails with a biking instructor is highly. Correct gear shifting is one of the skills that can be learned best while riding the trails and slopes of Morzine.

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