# What's the difference between gears and electric assist?

> Gears for the terrain, assist for the effort: understand the difference between the derailleur and electric assist.

This is an essential point to understand:

- **Gears** (the derailleur, gears 1 to 8) adjust the pedalling resistance to match the terrain. These are what you should change when the road goes up or down.
- **Electric assist** (levels 0 to 5) controls how much the motor helps you. It does not replace shifting gears.

## Gears (Shimano 8-speed derailleur)

Your bike is equipped with a **Shimano 8-speed derailleur**, controlled by the shifter on the right side of the handlebars:

- **Thumb** (upper lever) → shift to an **easier** gear (for climbs)
- **Index finger** (lower lever) → shift to a **harder** gear (for flat roads or descents)

**Going uphill**, shift to an easier gear first (thumb), then increase the assist if needed. **On flat roads**, use a harder gear (index finger) with low or moderate assist. **Going downhill**, shift to a hard gear.

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Shift gears **while pedalling**, smoothly and without forcing, **before the hill, not during it.** If you're already straining on a climb, stop pedalling for a moment, shift while the bike is still rolling, then resume pedalling. Forcing a gear change under pressure damages the derailleur and chain.

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## Electric assist

The electric assist is controlled from the left-hand grip. The level you choose depends more on your fitness or the weight loaded on the bike than on the terrain.

Use the **+** and **−** buttons on the dashboard to adjust the assist level:

- **Level 0** — no assist, you pedal as on a regular bike.
- **Levels 1 to 4** — progressive assist.
- **Level 5** — maximum assist, ideal for climbs or arriving without breaking a sweat.

Start with a low level to get used to the feel of the assist, then adjust based on the terrain and how you feel.

The bike also works without electric assist — you can always pedal normally if the battery is empty or if you prefer to ride without assistance.