How do you shift gears on an electric bike for a smooth ride?

Typically, riding an e-bike requires changing gears. But how do you pass them in the most efficient way, for performance, efficiency and reduce wear on the transmission? What types of transmissions exist and on which types of bikes? Follow the guide!

Unlike a mechanical bike, an electric bike has only one chainring - a double chainring is rare, mainly on a gravel bike - so it does not require a front derailleur. Indeed, the electric assistance levels the effort on an electrically assisted bike, the cyclist does not need small gears. We are therefore only interested here in the rear derailleur, or other types of transmissions (see below).

Appearing at the beginning of the 20th century on bicycles, derailleur gears are the most common type of drivetrain. It consists of a chainring at the bottom bracket and a multi-sprocket cassette on the rear wheel. The whole thing is connected by a chain, which the derailleur guides on the sprockets, allowing you to change gears.

This system is used on entry-level bikes, because it is very cheap. This does not prevent the big guns in the sector from offering very fast top-of-the-range versions such as SRAM Eagle, Shimano Ultegra or Campagnolo - to the delight of amateur and professional cyclists alike.

The integrated gear hub transmission is present in the rear wheel. This is a specialty of Shimano with its Nexus, Inter or Alfine models, as well as Rohloff or Sturmey Archer. The number of gears varies from 3 to 14, which cannot be shifted by pedaling (which can damage the gearbox).

On the other hand, the gears can be changed when stationary, so it is particularly aimed at urban electric bikes or if you stop frequently. The hub with integrated gears also has the advantage of a closed system that is therefore not exposed to the weather, low maintenance and more reliable. The trade-off is a higher price and a very difficult repair.

A variant of the rear hub, the Enviolo variator - previously called NuVinci - replaces a variable gear instead of traditional gears. This makes driving smooth, jerk-free and you can change gears at any time. However, this system is very expensive, especially if it is automatic.

As a replacement for the chain, the belt is becoming more and more popular. Made of composite (carbon-reinforced plastic), it has valuable advantages :

• No lubrication
• Low maintenance
• Durable over time (more than 10,000 km)
• Silent
  
  

The disadvantages of a belt are the higher price - especially with the Gates Carbon Drive leader - and the incompatibility with a derailleur. Only single-speed electric bikes, with integrated gear hubs and automatic transmissions can be associated with it.

Precisely in terms of automatic transmission, the Enviolo Automatiq changes the gear according to the speed to maintain a chosen cadence. Natural pedalling is what rarer automatic transmissions - such as VanMoof, Bafang or Pinion - are looking for, allowing gear changes, or even an automatic variator like the Decathlon Owuru.

Hub transmissions with integrated gears can also be equipped with automatic gears, under the name Shimano Di2, which is practical when braking and accelerating frequently (intensive use in the city).

Finally, automatic gears on a derailleur drivetrain mean speed on an electric road bike or a MTB electric. This increases your average cycling speed. The Shimano Di2 and SRAM AXS systems are the most popular, but you will have to manage the dedicated battery charging. Finally, automatic gears or automatic gearboxes are very expensive.

On a derailleur, the gear change towards the small sprockets must follow the acceleration proportionally and stick to the correct pedaling cadence. Bike gears 1 to 6  - or large sprockets - are the most important, because at the beginning of acceleration and at the high effort. As soon as you feel too much effort in your calves, it's a bit like in the car, the time to increase the right gear. If you pedal too much, go down to a lower gear.

Downshifting before going uphill is a reflex to take. In addition to avoiding a power surge (risk of misadjustment or breakage), it also means managing an optimal cadence. You struggle less and your engine delivers the necessary power without difficulty.

As with the climb, anticipate the upshift by returning to flat or downhill, especially on an electric bike with a torque sensor. Indeed, a minimum cadence is required to keep the electric motor running in these conditions.

The rain comes to clean your chain and remove the lubrication, so try to change the gears as much as possible, which will speed up the phenomenon.

Lubricating allows for smoother gear changes, but results in less friction. Without lubricant - or commonly grease - the wear of the chain, cassette and chainring accelerates, reducing their lifespan. In addition, remember to lubricate more often than a traditional bike - because the torque is higher, so the tension too - and if possible with a more viscous product.

A derailleur is adjusted via two screws, with a simple flat screwdriver. Simply tighten or loosen them, guiding the chain precisely on the different sprockets of the cassette. Check out our complete guide to tuning your e-bike drivetrain.

It is advisable to lower a few gears before going uphill, to maintain a similar cadence. When going uphill, shifting gears is more difficult and creates an overtension of the chain (deadjustment or even risk of breakage). Respect your pedaling cadence is also intended to preserve the transmission, as too much tension can damage the derailleur or the integrated hub.

There are two solutions to use if you have a chain problem:

• Clean and lubricate regularly,
• If the chain continues to jump, an adjustment is necessary.
• For any other concern, contact a professional.

You will thus understand the subtleties of the gears of an electric bike and the types of transmissions for your use Shifting gears at the right time, lubricating regularly is enough to ride your e-bike smoothly, and a minimum of maintenance of your drivetrain and the bike in general will increase its lifespan.