'bent specific shifter?

What about stronger springs in the tensioner in the derailleur to cope with the long chain?

johnriley1 (at) rogers.com

Actually someone could come up with a totally new design, making use of the fact that the recumbent
rider isn't leaning on his hands.

Seth Jayson said:

Hey folks,

Just got back from a visit with the folks at SRAM headquarters here in Chicago. During the course
of conversation, it came up that I ride 'bent, and one of the folks there asked me if there was
something "they could do" for bent riders, (shifterwise, anyway). Anyway, I thought it was an
interesting question, and I'll forward any ideas in this thread to the appropriate folks that way,
just for fun....

I would prefer that they would spend their time developing a QR for the DualDrive hub.

My $0.0273 (Canadian) worth.

Tom Sherman - Various HPV's Quad Cities USA (Illinois side)

alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent

Quoted message said:

Seth Jayson at [email hidden] wrote on 5/16/03 3:38 PM:

Quoted message said:

Hey folks,

Just got back from a visit with the folks at SRAM headquarters here in Chicago. During the course
of conversation, it came up that I ride 'bent, and one of the folks there asked me if there was
something "they could do" for bent riders, (shifterwise, anyway). Anyway, I thought it was an
interesting question, and I'll forward any ideas in this thread to the appropriate folks that way,
just for fun.

I was thinking that, for "normal" bars, like say, the T kind on a Rans, grip twisters work darn
well. But on bars that are swept back, like those on a Bacchetta or Volae, or those that stick
straight up in the air from a USS system there might be room for improvement on the twist or
bar end.

Maybe some kind of trigger shifter that's set up a bit like the trigger on a jet joystick (or a
computer joystick)?

So I say, submit ideas here, and we'll run 'em past SRAM. Can't hurt.

ONE: On underseat U bar steering the grip shift is upside down. When I use one I am using the
weakest part of my hand (little fingers). When I was considering a Rohloff internal hub- that darn
gripshift became a long-term factor. TWO: It would be very handy to have a place to rest the hands
on a U-bar steering and still reach the shifters and brakes.

in article [email hidden], Tom Sherman at [email hidden] wrote on
5/16/03 10:39 PM:

Quoted message said:

Seth Jayson said:

Hey folks,

Just got back from a visit with the folks at SRAM headquarters here in Chicago. During the course
of conversation, it came up that I ride 'bent, and one of the folks there asked me if there was
something "they could do" for bent riders, (shifterwise, anyway). Anyway, I thought it was an
interesting question, and I'll forward any ideas in this thread to the appropriate folks that
way, just for fun....

I would prefer that they would spend their time developing a QR for the DualDrive hub.

QR ?

Jay said:

Quoted message said:

Rans, grip twisters work darn well. But on bars that are swept back, like those on a Bacchetta
or Volae, or those that stick straight up in the air from a USS system there might be room for
improvement on the twist or bar end.

Maybe some kind of trigger shifter that's set up a bit like the trigger on a jet joystick (or a
computer joystick)?

So I say, submit ideas here, and we'll run 'em past SRAM. Can't hurt.

ONE: On underseat U bar steering the grip shift is upside down. When I use one I am using the
weakest part of my hand (little fingers). When I was considering a Rohloff internal hub- that darn
gripshift became a long-term factor. TWO: It would be very handy to have a place to rest the hands
on a U-bar steering and still reach the shifters and brakes.

The rapid fire shifters worked very well , for me, on the USS R44 vision. When I converted it to ASS
it worked well on the burly style inverted vee handlebar that i installed. I did not think that i
would like the sram rocket shorty twistgrips on the Aero i got, but after 100 miles i think they are
marvy. Twist, twist, and you are in the gear that you want. They are much faster, and i don't seem
to rip off as many thumbnails, but then i am a very graceful in the motor control department...

Daniel

Jay said:

QR ?

Quick Release.

I've had trouble with the half pipe Attacks left shifter pulling apart when using them on my Bacchetta h'bars. After the second time they are useless, small piece of internal plastice broke off and lost. They were brand new' though a sale item (maybe why). The right one is still together but I don't trust it on these type of bars. I have a 9.0 set that locks the parts together, maybe they already figured this out? Don

How about 9 speed "Thumb shifters" (since Shimano won't make them). If they had a friction option
that would be even better (just in case of a crash miles from home).

How about a shifting system that lets you shift both front and rear with one hand, and can be used
with either the left or right hand (for us riders with one bad wrist/hand).

Rocketman58

[email hidden] (Seth Jayson) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Hey folks,

Just got back from a visit with the folks at SRAM headquarters here in Chicago. During the course
of conversation, it came up that I ride 'bent, and one of the folks there asked me if there was
something "they could do" for bent riders, (shifterwise, anyway). Anyway, I thought it was an
interesting question, and I'll forward any ideas in this thread to the appropriate folks that way,
just for fun.

I was thinking that, for "normal" bars, like say, the T kind on a Rans, grip twisters work darn
well. But on bars that are swept back, like those on a Bacchetta or Volae, or those that stick
straight up in the air from a USS system there might be room for improvement on the twist or
bar end.

Maybe some kind of trigger shifter that's set up a bit like the trigger on a jet joystick (or a
computer joystick)?

So I say, submit ideas here, and we'll run 'em past SRAM. Can't hurt.

Sj

nodiak said:

I've had trouble with the half pipe Attacks left shifter pulling apart when using them on my
Bacchetta h'bars.

Do you mean the rubber grip slides away from the shifter, allowing the shifter to come apart? I've
had that happen too, and I agree a more secure retainer would be nice.

Other than that I think SRAM shifters work well on recumbents. The only exception is U-bar USS
handlebars, where Shimano bar-end shifters work much better.

Ken Kobayashi [email hidden] solarwww.mtk.nao.ac.jppersonalOpen ↗

Daniel Payne said:

Jay said:

QR ?

Quick Release.

Yes. Both the older 3x7 and the newer 3x8/9 DualDrive hubs have axle nuts instead of a QR. The new
DualDrive is also not compatible with the
B.O.B. hitch.

On the subject of SRAM, DualDrive and shifters, an optional separate shifter for the internal
hub gears would be appreciated by trike users, since the twistshifter portion of the integrated
DualDrive shifter does not work that well on USS trikes (since it is gripped with the two
weakest fingers).

See < sram.comindex.aspOpen ↗ > for pictures.

Tom Sherman - Various HPV's Quad Cities USA (Illinois side)

Quoted message said:

How about 9 speed "Thumb shifters" (since Shimano won't make them). If they had a friction option
that would be even better (

I don't catch what you mean by thumb shifters...

SRAM recently announced a new trigger-type shifter, uses thumb for shifting both ways. I tried them
out on their test track and they were nice for MTB shifters, although I'd say I still prefer the
grip twisters. One nice thing they did with their triggers is include the indicator in the band that
secures the shifter to the handlebar. The resulting device is pretty compact and stylish.

I think a non-twist system for USS type steering systems would be a good thing to have, but I've
only spent a little time on such bikes. Even so, I wondered about the twisting action with the small
part of my hand. And I'm not really a fan a bar-end shifters either. The twisters really spoiled me,
I think. everything I need on my bike, shift, brake, bell and computer, is in reach without looking,
without moving my hand on the bars.

Quoted message said:

I've had trouble with the half pipe Attacks left shifter pulling apart when using them on my
Bacchetta h'bars.

Do you mean the rubber grip slides away from the shifter, allowing the shifter to come apart? I've
had that happen too, and I agree a more secure retainer would be nice.

Yes Ken, like that. I now prefer shorties for that reason, but had just bought another half pipe set (9.0 this time). Rats. Maybe I'll post for a trade for shorties. (maybe I just did...) Don

Not a 'bent specific suggestion, but perhaps a "roadie"
vs. MTB suggestion (minor) for their grip shifters:

I really like the 9.0 twisters on my V-rex with one exception - the hard, loud detent when
up-shifting. On my MTB this is desirable to help avoid accidentally grabbing a fistful of gears on
some precarious uphill single-track, but not when riding the V-rex -- where it is simply annoying.
Perhaps they could provide a user selectable option to make the up-shift detent the same light click
as the down-shift?

-- rtmc

"Seth Jayson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
|
| <snip>
|
| So I say, submit ideas here, and we'll run 'em past SRAM. Can't hurt.
|
| Sj

"Daniel Payne" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Jay said:

QR ?

Quick Release.

TerraCycle prototyped a QR for the 3x7. I think this is on hold, though.

Jeff

I don't catch what you mean by thumb shifters...

... I thought everyone knew what thumb shifters are. I guess if you are sort of newer to cycling or
never saw an older mountainbike, you may not know. Thumb shifters were the mainstay of MTB shifting
from the late 70s through the early 90s. They were pre-rapidfire and pre-grip shift. You will still
find a select group of people who hold them to be the best shifters ever made - the holy grail of
shifters. They still demand a premium on ebay.

Thumb shifters are simple and rugged. Maybe too rugged. I am still using two pairs of Shimano XTs on
MTBs (mountainbikes). They have out lasted dozens of frames and every other component I have ever
purchased. (I personally think Shimano killed them off because they would never wear out!) They were
phased out for the less durable rapidfire.

They also had a friction option. This let you use the friction mode incase you had a problem and the
indexing did not work. I've used this a couple of times after smashing a rear deraileur.

As far as what they look like - they are just a simple lever. The lever sits across the top of the
bar. The pivit point is just in front of the bar. You shift to a lower gear by pushing the lever
forward with your thumb, the palm of you hand, or even your whole hand. You shift to a higher gear
by pulling back on the lever with a finger or two, or any other part of you hand. Since you are not
limited to shifting with just a thumb or one or two fingers, your hands/fingers do not get tired or
cramped so easy.

I can not use grip shift or rapidfire shifters due to a wrist/hand disability. I can use thumb
shifters however. The only problem is they have not been made for a number of years. They are only
6/7/8 speed - depending on model. No 9 speed. A number of us are still waiting for those 9 speed
thumb shifters.

--------------B763653CBEFBF8996FCF945C Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Check out these 9 speed thumbshifters!
forge-mtb.comshifters.aspOpen ↗

Philip Wolfe West Allis,WI

rocketman58 said:

I don't catch what you mean by thumb shifters...

... I thought everyone knew what thumb shifters are. I guess if you are sort of newer to cycling
or never saw an older mountainbike, you may not know. Thumb shifters were the mainstay of MTB
shifting from the late 70s through the early 90s. They were pre-rapidfire and pre-grip shift. You
will still find a select group of people who hold them to be the best shifters ever made - the
holy grail of shifters. They still demand a premium on ebay.

Thumb shifters are simple and rugged. Maybe too rugged. I am still using two pairs of Shimano XTs
on MTBs (mountainbikes). They have out lasted dozens of frames and every other component I have
ever purchased. (I personally think Shimano killed them off because they would never wear out!)
They were phased out for the less durable rapidfire.

They also had a friction option. This let you use the friction mode incase you had a problem and
the indexing did not work. I've used this a couple of times after smashing a rear deraileur.

As far as what they look like - they are just a simple lever. The lever sits across the top of the
bar. The pivit point is just in front of the bar. You shift to a lower gear by pushing the lever
forward with your thumb, the palm of you hand, or even your whole hand. You shift to a higher gear
by pulling back on the lever with a finger or two, or any other part of you hand. Since you are
not limited to shifting with just a thumb or one or two fingers, your hands/fingers do not get
tired or cramped so easy.

I can not use grip shift or rapidfire shifters due to a wrist/hand disability. I can use thumb
shifters however. The only problem is they have not been made for a number of years. They are only
6/7/8 speed - depending on model. No 9 speed. A number of us are still waiting for those 9 speed
thumb shifters.

--------------B763653CBEFBF8996FCF945C Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

<!doctype html public "-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en"> <html> Check out these 9 speed
thumbshifters! <br> <a href="forge-mtb.comshifters.aspOpen ↗
1">forge-mtb.comshifters.aspOpen ↗</a>
<p>Philip Wolfe <br>West Allis,WI <br> <br> <br> <br>
<q>rocketman58 wrote: <blockquote TYPE=CITE>I don't catch what you mean by thumb shifters...
<r>... I thought everyone knew what thumb shifters are. I guess if you <br>are sort of newer
to cycling or never saw an older mountainbike, you <br>may not know. Thumb shifters were
the mainstay of MTB shifting from <br>the late 70s through the early 90s. They were
pre-rapidfire and <br>pre-grip shift. You will still find a select group of people
who <br>hold them to be the best shifters ever made - the holy grail of <br>shifters. They
still demand a premium on ebay.
<s>Thumb shifters are simple and rugged. Maybe too rugged. I am still <br>using two
pairs of Shimano XTs on MTBs (mountainbikes). They have out <br>lasted dozens of frames and
every other component I have ever <br>purchased. (I personally think Shimano killed
them off because they <br>would never wear out!) They were phased out for the less durable
<br>rapidfire.
<t>They also had a friction option. This let you use the friction mode <br>incase you had a
problem and the indexing did not work. I've used <br>this a couple of times after smashing
a rear deraileur.
<u>As far as what they look like - they are just a simple lever. The <br>lever sits across the
top of the bar. The pivit point is just in <br>front of the bar. You shift to a lower
gear by pushing the lever <br>forward with your thumb, the palm of you hand, or even your whole
<br>hand. You shift to a higher gear by pulling back on the lever with a <br>finger or two,
or any other part of you hand. Since you are not <br>limited to shifting with just a thumb
or one or two fingers, your <br>hands/fingers do not get tired or cramped so easy.
<v>I can not use grip shift or rapidfire shifters due to a wrist/hand <br>disability. I can
use thumb shifters however. The only problem is <br>they have not been made for a number of
years. They are only
6/7/8 <br>speed - depending on model. No 9 speed. A number of us are still <br>waiting
for those 9 speed thumb shifters.</blockquote> </html>

--------------B763653CBEFBF8996FCF945C--

These are all cool suggestions. I'm visiting SRAM again early this week and I'll point a few of
their guys toward this thread.

They have folks whose job it is just to dream of new ways to do stuff, so maybe they'll be
interested in some of the challenges of 'bent design.

Sj

Now I know what ya mean. Those were the standard a couple years before I got my first mountain bike.