If you're looking at a road bike, most of the time it will have gears. Road bikes are designed so the rider can travel easily on both flat and hilly terrain. For riding up a hill, using an easy gear allows you to pedal easily and take advantage of your momentum.

Are there gears on a road bike?

Gear systems on bicycles range from single-speed (one gear), through various hub gear systems, to the most popular of all: the derailleur. Derailleurs are the usual gear setup on road bikes, but there are multiple options.

Do you need gears on a road bike?

Well, in a nutshell, gears are there to enable us to maintain a comfortable pedalling speed (or cadence) regardless of the gradient or terrain — something that no one single gear is capable of. A high gear, sometimes referred to by cyclists as a 'big gear', is optimal when descending or riding at high speeds.