How to Shift Gears on an E-Bike

Electric bikes make hills and headwinds easier, but they do not remove the need to shift well. Good shifting keeps your ride quiet, protects your chain and cassette, helps your motor feel smoother, and can even stretch battery range. This matters most on a mid-drive e-bike, but it applies to any electric bicycle, pedal-assist bike, pedelec, commuter eBike, cargo e-bike, or eMTB.

Below is a step-by-step system you can use immediately, even if you have never thought about cadence or drivetrain load before.

What shifting actually does on an electric bike

Shifting changes how hard it is to turn the pedals at a given speed.

• Easier gear: pedals turn more easily, great for starting, climbing, carrying cargo, riding into wind
• Harder gear: pedals turn more heavily, useful for higher speeds on flats or gentle descents

The goal on an ebike is not “always the hardest gear.” The goal is smooth pedaling at a steady cadence so the motor and drivetrain are not being forced.

A simple feel test:

• If your legs feel like they are pushing a heavy door, you are in too hard a gear
• If your legs feel like they are spinning with little resistance, you are in too easy a gear

Identify your setup first: mid-drive, hub-drive, or internal gear hub

You will shift slightly differently depending on where the motor is and what kind of gears you have.

Mid-drive e-bike

• Motor sits near the pedals
• Power runs through the chain and your rear gears
  

Why it matters: mid-drives load the chain when the motor is helping, so shifting under load can cause loud clunks and faster wear.

Hub-drive e-bike

• Motor is in the front wheel or rear wheel hub
• Motor drives the wheel directly
  

Why it matters: gears mostly manage your pedaling comfort. Shifting is usually more forgiving than on a mid-drive, but you can still damage parts if you shift while stomping.

Internal gear hub electric bicycle

• Gears are inside the rear hub, sometimes paired with a belt drive
• Common on city e-bikes and some cargo e-bikes
  

Why it matters: many internal hubs shift smoothly with very light pedal pressure, and some can shift while you are not pedaling, depending on the model.

Also note your gear type:

• Derailleur gears: chain moves across cogs on a cassette
• Internal hub gears: gears change inside the hub

One rule that fixes most shifting problems on any e-bike

Shift when the drivetrain is lightly loaded.

In normal words: keep the pedals moving, but soften your pedal pressure for a moment during the shift.

Think of it like this:

• Heavy feet make the chain tense
• Light feet let the chain move cleanly to the next gear

If you only remember one thing, remember this: Lighten pressure, click the shifter, then pedal normally again.

Master the basic technique on a derailleur e-bike

Most electric bikes use derailleur gears. Here is the repeatable method that works on flats, hills, and traffic.

Step 1: Decide whether you need an easier or harder gear

• Need to pedal easier, shift to an easier gear
• Spinning too fast, shift to a harder gear

If you are not sure, make one shift and reassess. Smooth is better than rapid multi-shifts.

Step 2: Keep the pedals turning, reduce force briefly

• Do not stop pedaling entirely unless you must
• Do not stomp while shifting
• Aim for a gentle pedal stroke for about one second

Step 3: Click one gear, then let it settle

• One click, wait a moment
• If it shifts cleanly, decide if you need one more

If you hear grinding, it usually means you shifted while pushing too hard or your drivetrain needs adjustment.

Step 4: Return to steady pressure

Once the chain lands on the new cog, pedal smoothly again.

Shift smarter on a mid-drive e-bike

A mid-motor ebike can feel amazing, but it demands good shifting habits because the motor’s torque goes through the chain.

Use “soft pedal” timing

Right before you click the shifter:

• Ease pedal pressure
• Make the shift
• Resume normal pedaling after the chain moves

Manage assist during shifts when needed

If shifts feel harsh even with soft pedaling:

• Briefly reduce assist by one level before a climb or a series of shifts
• After you settle into the right gear, raise assist again if you want

Many mid-drives also have shift sensing that cuts power for a moment, but your technique still matters.

Shift early on hills

The biggest mid-drive mistake is waiting until the hill is steep and then trying to downshift while pushing hard.

• Downshift as soon as you feel resistance rising
• Keep cadence up and pressure moderate

A useful rule: if you are thinking “I should probably shift,” shift now.

Shift smoothly on a hub-drive e-bike

Hub-drive electric bicycles are usually more forgiving because the motor is not driving through the chain. Still, gears matter for comfort and drivetrain health.

Focus on cadence and knee comfort

On a hub motor electric bike, your gears mostly control how your legs feel.

• If your knees feel stressed, shift to an easier gear
• If you are spinning too fast, shift to a harder gear

Avoid the two common hub-drive traps

• Starting in a hard gear because the motor can “pull you”. This often leads to slow, wobbly starts and knee strain
• Shifting under heavy leg force. Even though the motor is not in the chain, you can still crunch the drivetrain with your legs

Soft pedaling still applies.

How to shift an internal gear hub e-bike without jerks

Internal gear hubs are popular on commuter e-bikes, city electric bicycles, and some cargo e-bikes because they are clean and low maintenance.

The key is even lighter pressure

Most internal hubs prefer:

• Very light pedaling during the shift, or
• Briefly easing off entirely for a moment, depending on the hub

If the shift feels delayed, do not force it. Ease pressure and let it click in.

What about shifting while stopped

Some internal hubs allow shifting at a stop, which is great at red lights. Some do not shift cleanly unless the drivetrain moves slightly. If your hub resists:

• Make the shift
• Give a gentle half pedal turn when you start rolling

If you have a continuously variable system, make ratio changes gently under light pressure for the smoothest feel.

Real-world shifting method for electric bikes

This is where most riders actually need help: starts, hills, traffic, and changing terrain.

Starting from a stop

What to do:

• Before you stop, downshift to an easier gear
• Start with light pedal strokes
• Shift harder only after you are rolling

What this solves:

• Awkward, slow starts
• Loud clunks
• Knee strain

Climbing hills

What to do:

• Shift earlier than you think you need to
• Keep cadence steady, avoid grinding slowly
• On mid-drives, soften pressure during every downshift

What this solves:

• Chain skipping
• Sudden loss of momentum halfway up the hill
• Premature chain and cassette wear

Rolling terrain and trails on an eMTB

What to do:

• Shift one gear at a time as the grade changes
• Keep your feet light during shifts over roots or rocks
• Choose a gear that lets you pedal smoothly through short punches

What this solves:

• Spinning out after a crest
• Pedal strikes from poor cadence control
• Sudden surges that break traction

Riding with cargo or towing

What to do:

• Use easier gears sooner
• Keep cadence up, avoid slow heavy pushes
• Anticipate stops and downshift early

What this solves:

• Overheating the system on long climbs
• Stress on knees and drivetrain
• Wobbly starts with weight

Headwinds and long commutes

What to do:

• Shift to keep a comfortable cadence
• Use assist to match your effort goals, not to replace gears
• If you want better range, avoid grinding in a hard gear

What this solves:

• Battery drain from inefficient riding
• Feeling “stuck” in one gear
• Unnecessary fatigue

Common e-bike shifting problems and the fixes that actually work

If your electric bike feels rough when shifting, the cause is usually technique, setup, or maintenance.

Problem: loud clunk when shifting

Likely causes:

• Shifting under load
• High assist on a mid-drive during the shift
  

Fix:

• Soften pedal pressure during the click
• Reduce assist slightly when doing multiple shifts on climbs

Problem: chain skips or jumps under power

Likely causes:

• Worn chain or worn cassette
• Poor indexing
• Shifting under load on a mid-drive
  

Fix:

• Try soft pedaling first
• If it still skips, get the chain wear checked and have indexing adjusted

Problem: slow shifts or hesitant shifts

Likely causes:

• Dirty drivetrain
• Sticky cable or housing
• Bent derailleur hanger
  

Fix:

• Clean and lube the chain
• If it persists, a basic tune can transform shifting

Problem: internal gear hub feels like it “hangs” between gears

Likely causes:

• Too much pedal pressure during shifts
• Cable adjustment slightly off
  

Fix:

• Ease pressure more than you think
• If your hub has an adjustment window or marks, align them per the manufacturer instructions

Habits that keep an ebike drivetrain alive longer

Electric bikes, especially mid-drives and cargo e-bikes, can wear chains faster because of higher torque and frequent starts.

Do these simple things

• Wipe the chain after wet rides
• Lube lightly, then wipe off excess
• Keep the drivetrain clean, grit is what eats parts
• Check chain wear periodically

Ride in a way that reduces wear

• Shift early on hills
• Avoid stomping during shifts
• Use a gear that lets you pedal smoothly instead of grinding

Conclusion

Shifting on an e-bike is less about “finding the perfect gear” and more about building one simple habit: lighten pedal pressure as you shift, then return to smooth, steady pedaling. Once you match gears to cadence and terrain, starts feel easier, climbs stay controlled, and your ride gets quieter and more efficient, whether you are on a mid-drive e-bike, a hub-drive electric bike, or an internal gear hub cargo ebike. Downshift before stops, shift early on hills, and use assist to support your effort rather than replace good gearing, and you will protect your drivetrain, save battery, and make every ride feel more natural.

FAQs

Do I have to shift on a pedal-assist bike?

Yes. Assist helps, but gears protect your knees and drivetrain and make the ride smoother.

Can I shift without pedaling?

Derailleur systems usually need the chain moving. Many internal hubs can shift with minimal movement, some can shift while stopped, depending on the hub

Is it bad to shift while climbing?

It is fine to shift while climbing if you reduce pedal pressure during the shift and you shift early instead of waiting until you are straining.

Should I use gears or assist to go faster?

Use gears to keep cadence comfortable. Use assist to choose how much effort you want to contribute.