Shifting Gears on the GSD R14
When you start riding your new GSD R14, one of the first things you'll want to master is shifting gears. How else will you get yourself and your passengers up that big hill on the way home?
This article will explain how to shift gears when riding the R14. If you're new to cycling (or need to brush up on some basics), scroll to the bottom of the article for our best gear-shifting tips.
Article contents
- How do I shift gears on the GSD R14?
- How does automatic downshifting work on the GSD R14?
- What else do I need to know about shifting gears on the GSD R14?
- What should I do if I have problems shifting gears?
- How is shifting gears on the GSD R14 different from shifting gears on a regular bike?
- Tips for better gear-shifting
How do I shift gears on the GSD R14?
The GSD R14's Rohloff hub offers electronic shifting, which means you'll shift using electronic switches instead of conventional control levers and mechanical cables. Electronic shifting helps you shift gears quickly and precisely for optimized riding (it takes just 180 ms to shift one gear).
To shift gears, use the button set on the right side of the handlebars. Press the top button to upshift and the bottom button to downshift. Single-press to move up or down one gear. You can also press and hold to jump through three gears at a time until you release the button. This allows you to move through the Rohloff's entire 526° gear range in just seconds.
When you shift, the Rohloff system will communicate with your bike's Bosch motor system to briefly cut off pedal-assist during the moment of shifting. This helps protect your bike's parts and ensures smooth shifting.
How does automatic downshifting work on the GSD R14?
One of the most frequent uses of gear-shifting—particularly for those who ride in busy cities—is downshifting as you come to a stop. The Rohloff system makes stop-and-go traffic much easier to handle by automatically shifting into a pre-programmed start gear when your bike is stopped.
You can change your R14's start gear (the gear your bike will auto-downshift to at stops) using the Bosch Intuvia display. You can find the instructions here.
If you're familiar with conventional shifting techniques, you may wonder if you can shift the GSD R14 at a standstill. The answer is yes, but you shouldn't need to do this often since automatic downshifting takes care of that for you.
What else do I need to know about shifting gears on the GSD R14?
There's not too much to keep in mind when shifting on the R14—the Rohloff makes things easy. Just make sure to ease off your pedaling power at the moment of shifting (i.e., don't shift under significant force). The Rohloff hub's electronic shifting lets you change gears incredibly quickly, and with a little practice, you'll be able to develop a cadence that works for you.
What should I do if I have problems shifting gears?
The Rohloff system requires very little maintenance. Since the gears are enclosed, they're protected from the elements and should last a long time. That being said, if you experience any gear-shifting problems, the best thing to do is take your bike to your Tern dealer for help.
How is shifting gears on the GSD R14 different from shifting gears on a regular bike?
In many ways, it's exactly the same.
A conventional bicycle has multiple gears that allow you to maintain a comfortable pedaling speed (or cadence), even when going up and down hills.
The position of the chain on the rear cassette determines what gear you're in. When the chain is on the largest chainring (closest to the wheel), you're in the lowest gear. This gear offers the least pedaling resistance. When the chain is on the smallest chainring (furthest from the wheel), you're in the highest gear. This gear offers the most pedaling resistance.
Moving from a lower (easier) gear to a higher (harder) gear is called upshifting, while moving from a higher gear to a lower gear is called downshifting.
Your GSD R14 works the same way, with a few minor differences. Your R14 has a belt instead of a chain, and the Rohloff's 14 gears are sealed within the rear hub—so your bike doesn't have a set of chainrings. But the concepts of upshifting and downshifting still apply.
Because the GSD has an electric motor, how easy or hard it is to pedal will depend on both:
- what gear you're in, and
- what e-assist level you're using.
Getting your most comfortable and efficient ride on the GSD will require you to both adjust the electric assist level and shift gears. The best way to learn how the e-assist levels and gears work in combination is to experiment and see what works for you.
Tips for better gear-shifting
Being able to shift gears smoothly and efficiently makes a huge difference when it comes to ride quality. It's also a crucial skill for carrying passengers safely. Here are a few tips for better gear-shifting:
- Find your sweet spot. If you're just starting out with the GSD—or you've just added passengers—it may be tempting to put your bike in the lowest gear since that's supposed to be the "easiest" one. But it can be hard to keep the bike balanced in a very low gear due to a lack of momentum. Try riding near the middle of your gear range until you get used to the way your GSD handles.
- Downshift as you approach hills. Don't wait until you're already straining to climb an incline to switch to a lower gear. It's best to adjust the electric assist and downshift as necessary before you start to climb. Otherwise, you may be forced to try to shift gears while applying heavy pressure to the pedals, which can lead to rough shifting. You could also lose your momentum and roll backward. If you must shift gears while climbing on the R14, it's not a big deal—just reduce the force on your pedals while you shift.
- Avoid shifting under load. Your Rohloff hub won't work as well if you try to shift under heavy pressure. Do move the pedals while you shift, but reduce the amount of force you're applying as you use the gear-shifter. This can be achieved by downshifting as you approach hills and intersections and generating some momentum before upshifting when riding fast.
- Practice makes perfect. Being able to smoothly shift gears when needed is an essential skill—one you'll be using frequently as you ride. If you're new to cycling or new to the GSD, you may want to spend some time getting used to how the gears change and how different combinations of gears and e-assist levels affect your ride. Find a quiet road or path and shift up and down through your gears until you feel comfortable. Once you can shift gears without thinking about it, you're ready to tackle your real route (and maybe add passengers!).