Why the starting gear matters
When a bike is stopped, the first few pedal strokes have to do the most work. You are getting the weight of bike and rider moving from rest, and you are also balancing, steering and often checking traffic. A gear that is too hard makes the pedals heavy and slow to turn, so the bike moves unevenly and the front wheel can wobble. An easier gear lets the pedals turn readily, so you reach a steady speed sooner and can spend your attention on the road.
That is the basic idea: start in an easy gear, then shift up as you pick up speed.
Shift before you stop
The key habit is changing gear while you are still rolling, not after you have stopped. On a derailleur bike the chain generally needs to be moving forwards to change gear, so trying to shift once you are standing still often does not work and can leave you stuck in a hard gear.
A simple sequence for a junction or traffic light:
- Look ahead and notice you will need to stop.
- Begin slowing with your brakes.
- As your speed drops, keep pedalling lightly and shift to an easier gear, one step at a time.
- Come to a stop with your pedals in a comfortable position for pulling away.
- When it is safe, push off in the easy gear and shift up as you gain speed.
It takes a little foresight at first. Repeating it on a quiet street turns it into a habit.
How easy is easy enough?
There is no exact gear that suits everyone. A good guide is that you should be able to turn the pedals without a heavy push, and the bike should accelerate smoothly without bouncing about. On flat ground you may only need a gear or two easier than your cruising gear. If you are starting on a slope or carrying a load, you will usually want a noticeably easier one.
Try a few options on a flat, empty, traffic-free area. If the pedals spin too freely and you gain speed slowly, you have gone too easy. If you feel yourself lunging on the pedals or the bike wobbles, go easier. You are looking for a gear that feels slightly light.
Starting on a hill
Pulling away uphill needs an easier gear than on flat ground, because you are working against gravity from a standstill. Stopping on an incline in a hard gear can be tiring and unsteady. If you can, shift down on the way in. If you forget, pedal gently forward while rolling slowly to bring the chain down before you try again. The wider skill of getting going on slopes is part of steep incline starts, which is a separate topic.
What if you are already stopped in a hard gear?
It happens to everyone. Options include:
- Pedalling forward slowly if the road is clear and safe, so the chain can move, then shifting down.
- Standing over the bike and walking forward a few steps while turning the pedals gently by hand or foot, if you have room. Take care not to drag clothing or fingers near the chain.
- Pushing off in the hard gear with a gentle first stroke, but expect a wobblier start.
Do not hold up traffic to fiddle; if it is busy, move out of the way first.
Pedal position and balance
Starting well is also about where your feet are. Many riders like the pedal they will push first to be near the front and slightly above horizontal, so the first stroke has room to drive downward. Keep your weight steady, look ahead rather than down, and avoid sharp steering until you are moving. These ideas fit with starting from a stop on a bike, which covers the whole routine, not just the gear.
Other bike types
On bikes with a hub gear, gears can often be changed while you are stationary, which makes starts simpler. The details are in the article about hub gears. On a single-speed bike there is no choice, so the start depends more on technique and on your rolling speed as you slow down.
Practice
Choose a flat, quiet and traffic-free place and wear a helmet. Roll slowly to a stop several times, shifting down as you slow, then start again in the easy gear and shift up in steps. After a few attempts, shifting down becomes part of braking.
As always, conditions and riders differ, and nothing here guarantees a perfect start. A bike shop can help if your gears will not shift down smoothly.