First Road Bike Question

Frank said:

This is my first ever road bike, and I must say I am loving every minute of
it, sure beats riding the Mountain Bike.

My question is with the Sti Shimano 105 gears, do I have to ease off the
power when changing gears, or can I change gears as I am pedalling hard ? or
will this damage the drivetrain.

Also any other tips much appreciatted.
Cheers,
Frank

in general on any bike (despite shimano/sachs/campag claims) you are always best easing off a tad when changeing gears, but hugely so.

I tend to avoid changeing gears when Im standing/stomping up a hill cos the little voice in my head says 'remember when you tried to change gears and fell base-over-apex?' but that was on older bikes/gears.
The shifting ramps on cassettes these days makes shifting way better than it used to be.
I have choros04 on my roadie and have been occasionally doing exactly what i say you shouldnt be doing of late on the 'BR' rides cos i hate losing momentum on a hill (i need all the help i can get!). Just take your weight/force off the pedals but keep turning at the same cadence and change away. all should be well.

"Frank" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

This is my first ever road bike, and I must say I am loving every minute

of

Quoted message said:

it, sure beats riding the Mountain Bike.

<snip>

Judas!

"Frank" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My question is with the Sti Shimano 105 gears, do I have to ease off the
power when changing gears, or can I change gears as I am pedalling hard ?

or

Quoted message said:

will this damage the drivetrain.

Ease off is best but if you are racing or something
and maintaining speed is important.. to hell with
the drivetrain! :-)
The new groupsets are designed to shift under
load, but personally, I don't make a habit of it.

hippy

Frank said:

it, sure beats riding the Mountain Bike.

Troll!

Quoted message said:

My question is with the Sti Shimano 105 gears, do I have to ease off the
power when changing gears, or can I change gears as I am pedalling hard ?

Same as on the mountain bike. You certainly should ease off when
changing the front gear, but you probably figured that out already :-)