August 30, 200520 yr I've had this habit of shifting with my heel and now I'm wondering why. Everyone else seems to be shifting with their toes. And I'll admit that it is much easier to shift with your toes while in a section. But I still like the positive feel I get from the heel of my boot. Any other Heel Shifters out there?
August 30, 200520 yr Did one of your previous bikes have the gear lever in a vertical position, Many moons ago a lot of riders would have their levers that way to avoid the rocks, these days though most new riders have them horizontal so shifting with the toe is easyer. In the past the older bikes, TY's/RL's gear levers could be moved horizontal to vertical with ease, I suppose the more modern bikes must be more restrictive for lever positioning. Just a thourght!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 30, 200520 yr Never really thought about it, but I suppose I always use my heel. From the days when sitting down was a more regular thing (not particularly in the sections, but more often than should have been the case ) it's just about impossible to shift with your toe when sat down, waiting to go in to a section for instance. These days I suppose you're more likely to be stood up, even when waiting at the section. I remember the gear lever on my TY's being at least the 10 oclock position just to make it easier to change with the heel.
August 30, 200520 yr I'm a toe and midfoot shifter. My gear lever is at 9 oclock so its pretty flat. I find that using my toes when standing works best and downshifting is done by sort of tapping/stomping on it with the balls of my feet or midfoot. Whenever I use my heel it always feels like a "bad" shift, like it didnt click the right way or it didn't feel like I got and feedback pressure from the tranny. So I never feel okay unless I'm loop riding or not in sections. But its whatever works for you.
August 30, 200520 yr I must admit I have my lever set a little higher than standard and use my heel quite a lot (not exclusively but 95%). This is due to having had operations on my toes (road racing) which required the use of pins. If I use my toes too much the pins in my toes cause bruises.
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