Shimano Sora Gears

This is gonna sound really dumb but I am a beginner so bear with me! I have just got my first road bike with a 16 speed Shimano Sora setup and I can't for the life of me get the thing to change gear. Could someone tell me how (without assuming anything!!!)? It has two buttons, one left one right but they don't do anything.

 

Don't feel dumb, I saw people this weekend trying to figure it out aswell.<br /><br />You have to swing (press) the brake levers inward. You must not pull the levers because that's braking, just push the tips of the levers towards each other. This will move the chain to a bigger cog or chainring. The left lever is for the front chainring and the right lever is for the rear cogs. To shift down again, you have to press the little grey &quot;horns&quot; on the inside of the levers, down. Once you get use to it, it'll become second nature.<br /><br />Good luck

 

Hey! That's it!!! I can't believe it's that simple! Mind you it isn't exactly obvious - wiggling the brake lever the change gear! hehe.

 

Many thanks by the way!!!!

 

HI Djg23.<br /><br />What bike did you buy ? if you don't mind me asking.

 

It is a Carrera Virtuoso which I think will only mean anything to people in the UK. As far as I know Carrera is the brand of Halfords (a national car and bike chain).

 

Hi
I am also a beginner and brought my new cyling shoes today and hopped onto the new bike,fell off twice ..couldnt get the hang of releasing my feet ..kept twisting them the wrong way.Ha Ha.Finally mastered that and thought hey! get some speed up and try out my gear changing..like you was totally mystified as to why the gears wouldnt work. So thought I would look it up on the internet all about the gear system and came across this site and your post.After rolling around the floor for a few minutes have now recovered and smiling!!!!!!!.So relieved that I am not such a dip.Happy cycling.

 

Had exactly the same problem myself this morning - was forced to do my first 12 miles in the same gear and was close to going back to the shop with it. Have just got in and read this thread and feel really dumb now. Thanks, Mampara.

 

I Just bought my first road bike from gumtree.....
I spent the entire 30 minute cycle home through London feeling like an idiot for buying a broken bike with gears that don't work.
Infact on a little test ride it took me a minute to actually find them.....

Smiles all round ;-)