Change down the gears before stopping!

[Lizban]

How often does this happen? Someone stopped at the lights infront of you, lights go green and they struggle off like they are riding a fixie, purely because they haven't changed down to an easier gear.

I then over take them before they come racing past having finally managed to turn the pedals, only to repeat the whole thing again at the next lights.

Is there a reason people don't change down the gears when they can see that they will be coming to a stop?

 

[John the Monkey]

Is there a reason people don't change down the gears when they can see that they will be coming to a stop?

It's happened to me a couple of times.

Generally a result of avoiding action (cars, car doors, buses, pedestrians, potholes...) - concentration is on that rather than selecting the perfect gear for moving off again.

 

[Speck]

How often does this happen? Someone stopped at the lights infront of you, lights go green and they struggle off like they are riding a fixie, purely because they haven't changed down to an easier gear.

I then over take them before they come racing past having finally managed to turn the pedals, only to repeat the whole thing again at the next lights.

Is there a reason people don't change down the gears when they can see that they will be coming to a stop?

It happens to Mrs Speck EVERYTIME!

 

[Landslide]

It's because I am on a fixed.

 

[Dan B]

I do it deliberately because I want bigger thighs

 

[Bodhbh]

There's a particularly stressful section of the commute it's 50/50 I do this despite riding it most days. Basically, there's short, very steep climb which immediately joins a busy main road from the left where I have to get up to speed with the traffic and get into primary for a right turn about 70m down the road. The legs are already in the red after the climb, nm joining the traffic flow, and with signalling and everything, if a stop is needed to turn right there's a good chance I've not gone down in gear. Guess I'll get it on autopilot some day.

 

[Tharg2007]

How often does this happen? Someone stopped at the lights infront of you, lights go green and they struggle off like they are riding a fixie, purely because they haven't changed down to an easier gear.

I then over take them before they come racing past having finally managed to turn the pedals, only to repeat the whole thing again at the next lights.

Is there a reason people don't change down the gears when they can see that they will be coming to a stop?

If you find it annoying that they overtake and repeat the process at the next set of lights then you should pull away faster and maintain a faster speed getting to the lights before them.

 

[thomas]

Sometimes I'll forget...mainly I've sped up for the lights hoping to make it through, they change and I only have a chance to stop, not stop, change gear, etc.

 

[fossyant]

It's because I am on a fixed.

1 gear all 74" of it - TBH I'll pass a geared bike within 20 metres.....
If I'm in front, no-one is passing me....grrrrr

STI's are handy for changing if you've not been able to - with my MTB STI's if you pedal gently enough, you can shift the three gears within a pedal stroke if setting off, then put the hammer down.

 

[Dan B]

STI's are handy for changing if you've not been able to - with my MTB STI's if you pedal gently enough, you can shift the three gears within a pedal stroke if setting off, then put the hammer down.

Yes, and even if you've come to a stop you can often put the front brake on and push forward/down to lift the back wheel while pedalling it round the necessary stroke. Easier when clipped in, and may not be all that doable with heavy rear panniers

 

[MajorMantra]

Yes, and even if you've come to a stop you can often put the front brake on and push forward/down to lift the back wheel while pedalling it round the necessary stroke. Easier when clipped in, and may not be all that doable with heavy rear panniers

Even if you can't get the back up by leaning on the brake it should be possible by lifting the bike by the saddle. I do that sometimes.

Matthew

 

[Tharg2007]

Even if you can't get the back up by leaning on the brake it should be possible by lifting the bike by the saddle. I do that sometimes.

Matthew

i did that yesterday on my ribble and the chain hadnt seated properly so when i powered off chain slipped, foot came out of pedal and ground my ankle, ouch.
Ankle still hurts but not in a way to interfere with cycling

 

[Jonny]

How often does this happen? Someone stopped at the lights infront of you, lights go green and they struggle off like they are riding a fixie, purely because they haven't changed down to an easier gear.

Yes, at least 3-4 times a day. It is interesting how some cyclists get a sudden rush of energy when they realise they've been overtaken by a Brompton rider! When I come to a halt in these circumstances, I look to see what gear the person in front is in. If they are in an implausible gear for a quick get-away I will try to edge in front of them before the lights change, if there is room. Fixie riders seem to me to be generally quicker off the mark, so I let them go ahead.

 

[HLaB]

I try to change down gears but sometimes you are caught out, too busy observing traffic, speeding downhill and the lights change, etc.

 

[palinurus]

I do that all the time. I'm just too lazy to change down mostly.