[RBW] Re: Shifter location
on 11/27/08 5:25 PM, Angus at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The only thing that worried me is instead of sticking my fingers into the spokes of the front wheel trying to find a DT shifter I will now be able to stick my fingers into the spokes of the rear wheel while trying to find the rod. Actually, it's a better angle. Tough to do much other than vibrate your fingertips with the FD. But, up front, there's always the evil spectre of fingers under the fork crown. Another good reason for fenders. ;^) - Jim ...now more stuffed than the tamales... -- Jim Edgar [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cyclofiend Bicycle Photo Galleries - http://www.cyclofiend.com Current Classics - Cross Bikes Singlespeed - Working Bikes Send In Your Photos! - Here's how: http://www.cyclofiend.com/guidelines Nigel did some work for some of the other riders at Allied, onces who still rode metal. He hadn't liked it when Chevette had gone for a paper frame. -- William Gibson, Virtual Light --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Shifter location
HIi all, On my year-old Atlantis I had it built with bar ends, because I have exprience with them on an ol road bike.However, I am a bit sorry that I did not have the bike built with DT shifting.Fisrt of all, I have a tendency to bump the shifters when I am straddleing the bike. This has lead to me knocking the chain off the front cogs twice with on serious chain suck incident wich resulted in me having to remove the crank to free the chain and to do some toucb up paint work on an otherwise pristine bike. And I had to take the subway home!! ugh. Also I fine that I rarely shift anyway--I only use about 3 or 4 of my umpteen grears and I never use the innermost chaining of my tripple crank. There are few mountains in Brooklyn and Long Island where I ride. When its time to change the bar tapes, I might consider a re- organization. Have a great Thanksgiving--I hope to go for a ride weather permitting this week end. On Nov 25, 5:54 pm, George Schick [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Lisa - you already sound like a mature cyclist who knows that constant shifting is for the most part unnecessary. So your conversion to brifters was one of convenience and, as long as you are willing to spend the extra money to buy them and endure the monetary loss you'll incur should you crash and destroy them, it's a fine personal decision. But, as you say, many cyclists want top-end bikes that come equipped that way whether they really need them or not. Just like a lot of other things over the years, like cassettes equipped with 8, 9 and now 10 cogs, the manufacturers pull various things down from the racing crowd and dangle them over consumers like a stick and carrot. It's these folks, no doubt, who are shifting all over the place whether they need to or not. It's kind of sad because in some ways they've been sold a bill of goods as a status symbol and never really get the chance to develop fundamental cycling skills. George On Nov 25, 8:33 am, Lisa -S.H. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: George Schick wrote: Seems like DT shifters also train you to shift only when you really need to - I've ridden along with people who have brifter-equipped bikes and all I ever heard was shifting going on for the slightest little rise or drop in elevation. I had bar end shifters on my Rambouillet for 2 years while it was my only bike. I noticed that over the course of two years I slowly began to shift less often for slight elevation variations. Part of this is because I got a little stronger. I think that many of these riders who shift obsessively are likely to be less experienced riders or just weekend short-ride type riders who have not put in a lot of mileage. I suspect they will shift less frequently as they ride more. Keep in mind that most novice riders these days are buying bikes that typically have brifters. That includes novice riders full-out clad in racing kits as well. ;) I think if these novices were starting on bar end or DT shifters they'd still be shifting more frequently than necessary. I just finished changing my Ramb's bar-ends to brifters (for several reasons) and I don't think I am shifting much more often than I did on my bar ends. I have the same gearing setup as before, and I tend to have my favorite gears already 'assigned' in my head for certain segments and hills of my common routes. I expect as I continue to get stronger I will continue to shift less often. Lisa- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Shifter location
Kelly Take Off shifter mounts put DT levers just inboard of the hoods. I believe they are out of production, but the web site's still up. See http://www.kellybike.com/2nd_xtra_takeoff.html. They are sporadically available on e-bay. I have never used them, but they did have their fans. I started cycling long before indexing and used DT shifters for years, both friction and indexed. Now, I have bikes with indexed and non- indexed bar ends, Ergo brifters and Grip Shifts and I have no desire to go back to DT shifters. I have my bars set high enough that it's an uncomfortably long reach to the DT bosses. I no longer see friction DT shifting as a 'fundamental cycling skill' as I once did. I cannot recall malfunctioning indexing ever keeping me from finishing a ride. Now, knowing how to ride smoothly in a paceline, or how to wipe the tires to prevent a flat after riding through debris, or to put a hand on the shoulder of the rider along side you while looking back to check traffic so you don't run into him, or how to jump an obstacle rather than swerving around it, or how to remove a jacket and stow it safely without stopping and getting off the bike, those are fundamental skills that I see lacking in a lot of new cyclists (or cyclists that don't have mentors to show them the ropes). I also don't tend to think that frequient shifting is a sign of a lack of skill or experience as some have expressed. A lack of strength, maybe. I shift as often as I need to to keep from over-stressing my knees or fatiguing my legs unnecessarily. I've always been more spinner than masher, so I like to keep my cadence up. I shifted a lot when I was fitter than I am today, just within a higher range of gears than I use now! Bill On Nov 26, 10:06 am, Seth Vidal [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Is there a good location for non-brifters if you're on the hoods most of the time? I've found DT shifters are a bit of a stretch for me and bar ends are okay, but kind of an odd movement from the drops. I've actually though about the thumbies mounted on the flats but that seems like a weird motion too. The most comfortable for bar ends is the albatross bars b/c your hands and the shifters are right there next to each other all the time. Is there another location or type of shift lever to try out? -sv --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Shifter location
On Wed, Nov 26, 2008 at 11:06 AM, Seth Vidal [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Is there a good location for non-brifters if you're on the hoods most of the time? I've found DT shifters are a bit of a stretch for me and bar ends are okay, but kind of an odd movement from the drops. I've actually though about the thumbies mounted on the flats but that seems like a weird motion too. Remember that much of comfort and convenience comes from familiarity. DT shifters -- this on a 58 cm with highish saddle and low dt to accomodate 559 wheels -- were for me perfectly comfortable and convenient when you get used to them; and I'm an old and stiff 53 -- with short arms!! But I personally don't see any reason not to put thumbshifters on drop bar flats. Me, I got rid of the shifting problem by doing away with multiple gears. Works fine! --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Shifter location
SV: A few years back someone made a shifter that attached to the handlebars IIRC it looked like a wing nut. Can't recall who had them (maybe Riv?) but maybe this will jog a better memory than mine. I've tried thumbies on the tops. It's a cheap experiment. It didn't work for me but there are others who are very happy with that set-up. They're close at hand yet out of the way as far as bumping them with your knees. Give it a go. dougP Is there a good location for non-brifters if you're on the hoods most of the time? I've found DT shifters are a bit of a stretch for me and bar ends are okay, but kind of an odd movement from the drops. I've actually though about the thumbies mounted on the flats but that seems like a weird motion too. The most comfortable for bar ends is the albatross bars b/c your hands and the shifters are right there next to each other all the time. Is there another location or type of shift lever to try out? -sv --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Shifter location
I wondered when on the SS missionaries would be tempted to open a post with a reference to shifting in the subject line. dougP Patrick observed: But I personally don't see any reason not to put thumbshifters on drop bar flats. Me, I got rid of the shifting problem by doing away with multiple gears. Works fine! --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Shifter location
On Wed, Nov 26, 2008 at 5:32 PM, Doug Peterson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I wondered when on the SS missionaries would be tempted to open a post with a reference to shifting in the subject line. dougP That's fixed missionaries to you, young man. Patrick enlightened, converted, happy ex-gear obsesser Moore --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Shifter location
George Schick wrote: Seems like DT shifters also train you to shift only when you really need to - I've ridden along with people who have brifter-equipped bikes and all I ever heard was shifting going on for the slightest little rise or drop in elevation. I had bar end shifters on my Rambouillet for 2 years while it was my only bike. I noticed that over the course of two years I slowly began to shift less often for slight elevation variations. Part of this is because I got a little stronger. I think that many of these riders who shift obsessively are likely to be less experienced riders or just weekend short-ride type riders who have not put in a lot of mileage. I suspect they will shift less frequently as they ride more. Keep in mind that most novice riders these days are buying bikes that typically have brifters. That includes novice riders full-out clad in racing kits as well. ;) I think if these novices were starting on bar end or DT shifters they'd still be shifting more frequently than necessary. I just finished changing my Ramb's bar-ends to brifters (for several reasons) and I don't think I am shifting much more often than I did on my bar ends. I have the same gearing setup as before, and I tend to have my favorite gears already 'assigned' in my head for certain segments and hills of my common routes. I expect as I continue to get stronger I will continue to shift less often. Lisa --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Shifter location
I tried bar ends last year, after 25 years with DT and 2 with brifters. I found I really liked the closeness of the shifters when commuting in heavy traffic or on steep, rolling terrain, where I shift more often. But I've never gotten bar ends to shift as reliably or hold the gear consistently as I do with DT shifters. Michael On Nov 25, 9:54 am, Horace [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: One might consider looking for an old stem shifter mount -- those won't work on most modern bikes, but they'll work on bikes with quill stems. Horace. On Mon, Nov 24, 2008 at 11:36 PM, CycloFiend [EMAIL PROTECTED]wrote: on 11/24/08 9:34 PM, CycloFiend at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: There's a person on the Bleriot registry page - http://www.tfl.net/Bleriot/BleriotRegistry.htm who states they've mounted a campy set of shifters on the top tube. I've emailed him to see if he has any photos available. Robert emailed four photos right over, which I've posted in the files section of the RBW Owners Group - http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch/files They are titled bleriot_toptubeshift_##.jpg It's really a nice little hack. His explanation follows: They're Campagnolo clamp-on downtube shifters, which fit the top tube of the Bleriot. I got them at a yard sale, unused, for 25 bucks. Just a little plastic tape to keep from scratching the paint. I like not having the cables torquing the steering. Riding no hands before this setup, I always wondered if maybe the frame was out of line. Now she rides straight as an arrow. Also, before, I used to nudge the bar-end shifters with my thigh when standing at a red light. Now I don't. Regards, Robert O. -- Jim Edgar [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cyclofiend Bicycle Photo Galleries -http://www.cyclofiend.com Current Classics - Cross Bikes Singlespeed - Working Bikes Workshops of the iBob's Send In Your Photos! - Here's how:http://www.cyclofiend.com/guidelines My nighttime attitude is anyone can run you down and get away with it. That's why I don't even own a bike light or one of those godawful reflective suits. Because if you've put yourself in a position where someone has to see you in order for you to be safe...you've already blown it. -- Neal Stephenson, Zodiac- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Shifter location
Angus - I recently made the same shift (pardon the pun) to DT shifters on my Atlantis. I also went friction rather than indexed. I must admit that it is a little more inconvenient, but I knew that going in, and that is partly why I did it. I love riding my Quickbeam around because I don't worry about the shifting at all. With the DT on the Atlantis, I expected to find myself less inclined to reach down and shift as opposed to simply standing up and powering over a small incline. My expectation was correct. I do shift less and work a little harder with the DTs as opposed to the barends. I also am getting the hang of the friction shifters, and I am liking those as well. Life is good on a Riv. Ray --- On Mon, 11/24/08, Angus [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: From: Angus [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [RBW] Shifter location To: RBW Owners Bunch rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com Date: Monday, November 24, 2008, 3:23 PM The recent talk about how great Rambouillets are sent me off to ride my Rambouillet yesterday. Which got me thinking (this is the first step I take to create a problem), I have several bike with bar end shifters, but none with down tube shifters. Today I performed a shifter change: from http://www.flickr.com/photos/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/2078900131/in/set-72157603107726308/ to http://www.flickr.com/photos/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/3056585683/in/set-72157603107726308/ and saved a bit of weight in the process. http://www.flickr.com/photos/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/3057425138/in/set-72157603107726308/ I always thought a reliable indicater that you have had a good long ride is reaching down to shift and sticking your fingers into the spokes. Now I just need to finish a couple of bottles of wine so I can plug the handlebar ends. Angus --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Shifter location
And there's no denying that DT shifters are the most aesthetically pleasing set up. I've used bar ends for 20 years there's no denying the clutter of cables around the handlebars can't be made to look good. But they are functional. dougP --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Shifter location
On Nov 24, 7:20 pm, rcnute [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Is there a clamp which would allow DT shifters on a Bleriot? I think they used to make them for older bikes but the Bleriot has an OS downtube right? Might be hard to get something that could fit. DT shifter braze ons could be added. I've seen pictures of a red Bleriot with such an addition. I agree with Doug that they are more aesthetically pleasing than bar- end shifters. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Shifter location
on 11/24/08 7:20 PM, rcnute at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Is there a clamp which would allow DT shifters on a Bleriot? I know this question came up either on the Bleriot list or the 650B list... ...dit, dit, dit... hmmm Well. Nottalotta options. I _thought_ I recalled someone who had found a clamp-on method. If I had a Bleriot, I'd probably consider buying these: http://tinyurl.com/577233 and then having a framebuilder pop in an appropriate mount thread. There's a person on the Bleriot registry page - http://www.tfl.net/Bleriot/BleriotRegistry.htm who states they've mounted a campy set of shifters on the top tube. I've emailed him to see if he has any photos available. - Jim -- Jim Edgar [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cyclofiend Bicycle Photo Galleries - http://www.cyclofiend.com Current Classics - Cross Bikes Singlespeed - Working Bikes You must be the change you want to see in the world. Mahatma Gandhi --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[RBW] Re: Shifter location
on 11/24/08 9:34 PM, CycloFiend at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: There's a person on the Bleriot registry page - http://www.tfl.net/Bleriot/BleriotRegistry.htm who states they've mounted a campy set of shifters on the top tube. I've emailed him to see if he has any photos available. Robert emailed four photos right over, which I've posted in the files section of the RBW Owners Group - http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch/files They are titled bleriot_toptubeshift_##.jpg It's really a nice little hack. His explanation follows: They're Campagnolo clamp-on downtube shifters, which fit the top tube of the Bleriot. I got them at a yard sale, unused, for 25 bucks. Just a little plastic tape to keep from scratching the paint. I like not having the cables torquing the steering. Riding no hands before this setup, I always wondered if maybe the frame was out of line. Now she rides straight as an arrow. Also, before, I used to nudge the bar-end shifters with my thigh when standing at a red light. Now I don't. Regards, Robert O. -- Jim Edgar [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cyclofiend Bicycle Photo Galleries - http://www.cyclofiend.com Current Classics - Cross Bikes Singlespeed - Working Bikes Workshops of the iBob's Send In Your Photos! - Here's how: http://www.cyclofiend.com/guidelines My nighttime attitude is anyone can run you down and get away with it. That's why I don't even own a bike light or one of those godawful reflective suits. Because if you've put yourself in a position where someone has to see you in order for you to be safe...you've already blown it. -- Neal Stephenson, Zodiac --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
