When you start riding your new Wombat Wagon Sport, one of the first things you'll want to master is shifting gears. How else will you get yourself and your passengers to start off at the lights or get up that hill on the way home?

This article will explain how to shift gears when riding the Wombat Wagon Sport. If you're new to cycling (or need to brush up on some basics), scroll to the bottom of the article for our best gear-shifting tips.

Contents 

1. What does it mean to “shift gears” on the Wombat Wagon Sport?
2. How do I shift gears on the Wombat Wagon Sport?
3. What else do I need to know about shifting gears on the Wombat Wagon Sport?
4. What should I do if I have problems shifting gears?
5. Tips for better gear-shifting

What does it mean to “shift gears” on the Wombat Wagon Sport?

Just like a conventional bicycle, the Wombat Wagon Sport has multiple gears (9 or 10 to be exact). The gears help you maintain a comfortable pedaling speed (or cadence), even when going up and down hills.

Moving from a lower (easier) gear to a higher (harder) gear is called upshifting while moving from a higher gear to a lower gear is called downshifting.

Because the Wombat Wagon Sport has an electric motor, how easy or hard it is to pedal will depend on both:

• what gear you're in, and
• what e-assist level you're using (Level 1-5 or E

Getting your most comfortable and efficient ride on the Wombat Wagon Sport will require you to both adjust the electric assist level and shift gears. The best way to learn how the e-assist levels and gears work in combination is to experiment and see what works for you.

How do I shift gears on the Wombat Wagon Sport?

You’ll find your Wombat Wagon Sport’s gear shifters on the right side of the handlebars. Here’s how to use them:

• To downshift, push the rear-facing shift lever paddle with your thumb. Push the paddle lightly once to downshift one gear (you'll hear a single click). Press the paddle as far forward as it will go to downshift three gears at once (you'll hear three clicks). 
• To upshift, pull the forward-facing shift lever pedal with your finger.

What else do I need to know about shifting gears on the Wombat Wagon Sport?

Shifting on the Wombat Wagon Sport is pretty simple, but here are a few things to keep in mind:

• You can only shift gears while pedaling. If you shift gears while stopped, you’ll likely encounter problems when you try to get going again.
• For smoother shifting, pedal lightly while changing gears. Avoid shifting while applying a lot of force to the pedals, which can damage your bike.

What should I do if I have problems shifting gears?

If you’re having trouble shifting smoothly, there are several possible causes. A dirty drivetrain can sometimes cause sluggish shifting, so a good cleaning never hurts as a first step. 

If cleaning doesn’t help or you’re experiencing more significant issues, the best thing to do is take your bike to your Tern dealer for help.

Tips for better gear-shifting

Being able to shift gears smoothly and efficiently makes a huge difference to your ride. It's also a crucial skill for carrying passengers safely. Here are a few tips for better gear-shifting:

• Find your sweet spot. If you're just starting out with the Wombat Wagon Sport—or you've just added passengers—it may be tempting to put your bike in the lowest gear since that's supposed to be the "easiest" one. But it can be hard to keep the bike balanced in a very low gear due to a lack of momentum. Try riding near the middle of your gear range until you get used to the way your Wombat Wagon Sport handles.
• Downshift as you approach intersections. Ideally, your bike will be in a low gear when you come to a stop, so it's easy to get going again. As you decelerate, downshift while lightly pedaling until you reach a low gear. 
• Downshift as you approach hills. Don't wait until you're already straining to climb an incline to switch to a lower gear. It's best to adjust the electric assist and downshift as necessary before you start to climb. Otherwise, you may be forced to try to shift gears while applying heavy pressure to the pedals, which can cause rough shifting and might damage your bike. You could also lose your momentum and roll backward. 
• Avoid shifting under load. Shifting while applying heavy pressure to the pedals can damage your bike's parts or cause them to become misaligned. Reduce the amount of force you're applying to the pedals as you use the gear-shifter. You can achieve this by downshifting as you approach hills and intersections and generating some momentum before starting your climb.
• Practice makes perfect. Being able to smoothly shift gears when needed is an essential skill—one you'll be using frequently as you ride. If you're new to cycling or new to the Wombat Wagon Sport, you may want to spend some time getting used to how the gears change and how different combinations of gears and e-assist levels affect your ride. Find a quiet road or path and shift up and down through your gears until you feel comfortable. Once you can shift gears without thinking about it, you're ready to tackle your real route (and maybe add passengers!).