Front gears

• 1). Locate the shifter that controls the gears at the front of the bicycle. The shifter will be attached to the left side of the handlebar. The shifter will feature two small levers, one on top of the other.
  
  
• 2). Shift to a larger gear, by using your thumb to push the top lever forward. The chain will move at the front of the bike to a larger chain ring. Pedaling resistance will increase. Meanwhile, the bike will travel farther per pedal stroke.
  
  
• 3). Shift to a smaller gear, by using your index finger to pull the lower lever in toward the bicycle. The chain will move to a smaller chain ring. Pedaling resistance will lessen, along with the distance the bike travels with each pedal stroke.
  
  

Rear gears

• 1). Locate the shifter that controls the gears at the rear of the bike. The shifter is attached to the right side of the handlebar. Like the other shifter, this shifter is outfitted with a pair of levers, mounted one on top of the other.
  
  
• 2). Shift to a larger gear, using your index finger to pull the lower lever in toward you. The chain will move at the rear of the bike to a smaller sprocket. While the sprocket may be smaller, it produces a larger gear ratio. Pedaling resistance will increase, along with the distance the bicycle travels per pedal stroke.
  
  
• 3). Shift to a smaller gear, using your thumb to push the top lever forward. The chain will move to a smaller larger sprocket. Pedaling resistance will lessen, as will the distance the bicycle travels per pedal stroke.