How to Shift Gears on a Mesa Runner Schwinn Bike

Schwinn Mesa Runner mountain bikes were designed to make the basic mountain bike concept more comfortable for riders in urban settings. Rather than a specialized off-road configuration, the Mesa Runner has high handlebars and an elongated frame to create a more relaxed riding posture for everyday users. This bike comes with the option of either 10 or 12 speeds and uses a Suntour shifting system, which is mounted on the handlebars.

Instructions

    • 1

      Mount the bike. Changing gears must be done while the bike is in motion.

    • 2

      Ride the bike slowly in a large open area or along the road. The lower the number, the easier it is to pedal; however less energy is transferred to motion. This means that the bike will not go as fast. In higher gears, the bike becomes harder to pedal, but can achieve higher speeds. Shifting the bike is done by using the two levers mounted on the handlebars. If the chain is on the larger sprocket in the front, pull back on the left shifter lever. This will shift the bike to the lower gear set.

    • 3

      Continue riding. Now shift the bike into first gear by pulling the right index shifter back to the limit of its movement. You will hear a clicking noise as you pull the lever. This will shift the bike to the largest sprocket on the rear wheel. This combination is the bike's first gear. To shift upwards, move the right lever forward slowly until the chain moves to the next smaller sprocket in the rear. This is second gear. As you move the lever forward, the chain will move from sprocket to sprocket. Move the right-hand shifter lever all the way forward, shifting to the smallest gear on the rear sprocket.

    • 4

      Now shift the bike into its highest gear by moving the left shift lever forward. This will move the chain onto the larger sprocket in the front. This will be the bike's highest gear. It is the hardest gear to pedal in, but it allows the rider to reach the highest speeds. Experiment with different combinations of gears to find the ones that are appropriate for road conditions and your fitness level.