Shimano thumb shifter help

[Cameron1689]

I am completely new to cycling and as a result, I have no idea of how to work the shifters on my new vilano aluminium road bike 21 speed. I will be thankful to anyone who can help me in using the shifters and the while bike in general. There is a link to which bike i have, if needed. Thank you.

My bike: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B015J4LT1K/ref=ya_st_dp_summary

 

[cyberknight]

 

[Jaykun85]

this any help


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoB_aWpS01s

 

[Jaykun85]

darn it someone beat me to it hahaha

 

[Cameron1689]

Thank you, but that is not much help. That is only someone stating why they dislike the thumb shifters but i would like to know how to use them. Thanks

 

[screenman]

Could you not just ride the bike and move them up and down to find out what is happening. Failing that did the bike come with a handbook.

 

[Cameron1689]

Could you not just ride the bike and move them up and down to find out what is happening. Failing that did the bike come with a handbook.

My bike came with a book for a different bike and i have tried to go out and try different gears but it only confuses me. I am very very new to road bike riding and i have 0 knowledge and 0 experience. Thank you for the response.

 

[fossyant]

You need to pedal to change gears, so best thing is ride it somewhere quiet. You literally just press the lever. Press the lever furthest away from the bar to shift up a sprocket, and press the lever next to the bar to drop down a sprocket. The bigger the sprocket on the back the 'easier/slower' you go.

 

[screenman]

Roughly speaking the big one at the back combined with the little one at the front is for going up very steep hills, big ring at front with little on on back is for going fast downhill. All the other combinations are for the other bits.

Only you will find what suits you, sorry if that sounds but it is the truth.

 

[Cameron1689]

Thank you for all the responses, i will go somewhere quiet and try to get a hang of it.

 

[vickster]

Ask the shop?

Oh Amazon special...go give it a go as suggested

 

[cyberknight]

Sorry i wasnt any help earlier , in a rush with kids etc .
How long have you had the bike ?
After reading a review of it i would have personally opted for a good second hand bike or spent a bit more and got something like a triban 500 or a carrera tdf as the shifters on your bike mean you have to take your hand off the brakes to change gear .The brakes also appear to be pressed steel like you see and very old or kiddie bikes that are not very good as they dont offer good braking .
You could upgrade the shifters to tourney sti which would cost you £80 + fitting and the brakes as well but it is liable to cost you more than is viable.IMHP if it it still under the 14 day (?) return sale of goods at i would consider sending it back.

If you like the bike then dont let it put you off ,enjoy the ride !

 

[Jaykun85]

it looks like its the same principle like the old style shifters on old 80s bikes .. as it looks like in the middle there is a little arrow that points to a gear number. This would be the gear you are in I'm assuming .. so I'm assuming pushing down on the bottom would increase the gear (points to a hight number) you are in where are and pushing the top would raise it. just go out and have a play around with it.

when i first had my road bike i could move the gears up but had no idea how to move them down again Had to call the guy i bought the bike off to ask