Shimano Di2 satellite switches and SRAM AXS Blips are an easy DIY upgrade for electronic shifting dropbar bikes. It’s my must-have upgrade for long-distance rides.

But with modern chainrings, cogs, and chain, the friction shifting on my new Rivendell was a revelation, and yielded the smoothest shifting I’d ever experienced, electronic included.

In this guide, we’ll go through how different gear systems work, how to operate them, as well as providing a brief overview of how to maintain your bike's gears and when parts might need replacing.

I decided to take small, manageable steps. First, I put air in my tires one day, not allowing myself to do anything else. The next day, I cleaned up my bike. Then the next day I placed my bike ...