I like to idea of electronic shifting . The geek in me :). Avoids inherit cable stretch. minimal adjustment. I love disc brakes in the wet and going down hill. But automatic shifting. nah I can figure it out on my own. I am new enough that I am still learning the gearing , automatic shift would take that away.
The Red Kite Prayer blog had a story about the ProShift system that uses data from electronic drivetrain systems to change gears without the rider doing anything. I’m with Michael, I don’t think I need it, it’s too expensive for the benefit and it’s one more thing to go wrong. Still, the tech-lover in me thinks it’s cool. http://www.pinkbike.com/news/proshift-automatic-electronic-shift-assist-interbike-2016.html
Yehuda is looking at a BSO sold as an “Autobike” back in the late 1990s. I have one in my collection awaiting restoration.
The three objects in the rear wheel were actually weights mounted on parallel pairs of spokes and attached by rods to a movable flange at the hub. As the wheel rotated the weights moved by ‘centrifugal force’ (actually, the effects of Newton’s First Law of Motion) towards the rim; as they moved the rods caused the flange to move outward from the hub, coming into contact with the derailleur cage and, if the pressure was sufficient to overcome the centripetal force created by the tension of the springs in the derailleur, would cause the cage to move outwards as well and shift the chain onto a smaller cog, thereby creating a higher gear ratio.
Slowing down caused the spring tension in the derailleur to force the cage back against the centrifugal force and resulting in a downshift to a lower gear ratio/easier pedaling range.
Basically, it struck me as a solution to a problem that didn’t really exist; and unless scrupulously maintained in use was really little better than a headache looking for a place to happen.
Because advances in automatic transmissions have resulted in modern cars with auto-trannies being proven to be more economical (read: fuel efficient) and better for the enviroment (read: less emissions) than cars with the old-school manual transmissions. Even the super-car manufacturers — Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, etc. — no longer offer manual transmissions as an option.
With energy-wasting torque converters, auto gearboxes were very simple to use and had a very smooth transition between gears. Modern electronically controlled, multi-clutch systems like F1 cars have shift even faster with better energy use and less waste.
However, I find that the mental exercise of deciding when to change and which new ratio to use is rewarding when the relief to tired muscles becomes evident and supplies a reward.
Also, I think that gear use on cycles is very different to that of cars.
In car it is digital, we either use the gearbox as little as possible to save effort or as much as possible to emulate race-car drivers?
Forget auto-shifting bikes, people now can buy auto-pedaling bikes. They don’t need to shift, just press the throttle! All these cheap, mail-order e-bikes are essentially eBSO’s.
I like to idea of electronic shifting . The geek in me :). Avoids inherit cable stretch. minimal adjustment. I love disc brakes in the wet and going down hill. But automatic shifting. nah I can figure it out on my own. I am new enough that I am still learning the gearing , automatic shift would take that away.
The Red Kite Prayer blog had a story about the ProShift system that uses data from electronic drivetrain systems to change gears without the rider doing anything. I’m with Michael, I don’t think I need it, it’s too expensive for the benefit and it’s one more thing to go wrong. Still, the tech-lover in me thinks it’s cool. http://www.pinkbike.com/news/proshift-automatic-electronic-shift-assist-interbike-2016.html
Has Yehuda ever addressed ebikes? I bet that would be stimulating!
Yehuda is looking at a BSO sold as an “Autobike” back in the late 1990s. I have one in my collection awaiting restoration.
The three objects in the rear wheel were actually weights mounted on parallel pairs of spokes and attached by rods to a movable flange at the hub. As the wheel rotated the weights moved by ‘centrifugal force’ (actually, the effects of Newton’s First Law of Motion) towards the rim; as they moved the rods caused the flange to move outward from the hub, coming into contact with the derailleur cage and, if the pressure was sufficient to overcome the centripetal force created by the tension of the springs in the derailleur, would cause the cage to move outwards as well and shift the chain onto a smaller cog, thereby creating a higher gear ratio.
Slowing down caused the spring tension in the derailleur to force the cage back against the centrifugal force and resulting in a downshift to a lower gear ratio/easier pedaling range.
Basically, it struck me as a solution to a problem that didn’t really exist; and unless scrupulously maintained in use was really little better than a headache looking for a place to happen.
For that matter, why do car mfgs keep foisting automatic transmissions on us? Lazy Americans…
Because advances in automatic transmissions have resulted in modern cars with auto-trannies being proven to be more economical (read: fuel efficient) and better for the enviroment (read: less emissions) than cars with the old-school manual transmissions. Even the super-car manufacturers — Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, etc. — no longer offer manual transmissions as an option.
With energy-wasting torque converters, auto gearboxes were very simple to use and had a very smooth transition between gears. Modern electronically controlled, multi-clutch systems like F1 cars have shift even faster with better energy use and less waste.
However, I find that the mental exercise of deciding when to change and which new ratio to use is rewarding when the relief to tired muscles becomes evident and supplies a reward.
Also, I think that gear use on cycles is very different to that of cars.
In car it is digital, we either use the gearbox as little as possible to save effort or as much as possible to emulate race-car drivers?
I remember test riding that auto shifting trek several years ago for my wife. It was kind of a neat system; I’m not sure what ever happened with it.
Forget auto-shifting bikes, people now can buy auto-pedaling bikes. They don’t need to shift, just press the throttle! All these cheap, mail-order e-bikes are essentially eBSO’s.