LOL, mimitabby... :D
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LOL, mimitabby... :D
I actually don't find Shimano counterintuitive, but it took me a long time to be able to talk about "shifting up" and "shifting down" without getting really confused (since oftentimes, in order to "shift down" -- into an easier gear -- you LITERALLY have to shift "up" through the cogs). Finally got my head around it though :o.
I think it's one of those things that you have to not think too hard about. Sort of like which way to loosen your pedals. People get all confused because on one side of the bike it's clockwise and on the other side it's counterclockwise, and it's hard to remember whether left is clockwise or counter, and vice versa -- but the better, non-confusing way to think about it is that you loosen in the opposite direction from the direction you pedal... Ergo, always loosen towards the back of the bike.
Liza, I don't find it counter-intuitive either. When I shift, I picture what the chain is doing, and since I understand how the position of the chain affects the gear, I do fine. The problem is, I cannot explain it or talk about it at all. :p
someone posted the best pedal mnemotic *ever* a while back, and I use it all the time now: Forward, onward; back off. (that's the direction of the pedal wrench)
Okay
here's the deal. on my bike which is campy-equipped, i have a long lever on the front of the handlebars which is also a brake. There is one of those on each side, and on the inside of that there's a little thumb lever.
now, when you want to move the chain of your Campy equipped bike to the left, you move the right button or right lever towards the direction you want your chain to go.
That's all there is to it!
The left hand operates the 3 big chain rings. When I want the chain to go up to the big ring to go really fast, I just shove that left lever over to the right; where it is; and it goes there.
The right hand does the same thing. When I want to push the chain up to the big ring in the back, to go up a hill, i just push that lever to the left.
I don't believe that's how the Shimano stuff worked.
bump - I was wondering if anyone was going to comment on my post after all that hard work figuring it out! :D:D:D:p
I've been following this great thread--this is Bike Parts U!
But I've never seen/used anything but Shimano (or this weird dial thing for the gears on my mtn bike). I'll be really cool to check out people's bikes this season and to actiually know there are other systems out there to look for!
Mimi
that sounds exactly (?) like my Shimano....only I wouldn't call the mini lever a thumb button...it's a mini lever that operates the same as the maxi...
so I guess I'm a little confused about the smaller button...I need a photo....
Yes, it took me a minute to think it through, but I believe Mimi's description of the Campy lever function equals the function of the brake lever on Shimano. Then, where Campy uses the thumb button, Shimano uses the second, inside lever. I can see now where a Campy user would get really confused on Shimano, since their inside lever does what our large lever does. I think I finally understand it all now! Phew! :eek:
I'm glad YOU do! (because according to Elk, they are the same, and I know they aren't )Quote:
Originally Posted by rij73
No...I know they're not the same, I just can't quite SEE the difference...I need to go find a picture...
Yes, here is how I would try to put it succinctly:
paddle-inside-the-brake-lever on Campy = Shimano full-brake-lever
Campy thumb-button = paddle-inside-the-brake-lever on Shimano
Campy
http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:...e/q/LD9780.jpg note the thumb button on the inside of each hood
Shimano
http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:...ano/ST7803.jpg
Thanks for posting the pictures. I think I like the Thumb button concept better - less confusion that way, but we will see how I feel when the bike gets here.
They were supposed to ship it today and it's fairly local so it should be only a few days. I went with the Fara (This black and white one at the beginning of the thread) which is campy veloce.
On my MTB I have the old fashioned #'ed gear. (Don't know what those are called) so either road bike shifting is going to take some practice for me.
Any shifting tips?
you might go to Sheldon Brown's website for shifting tips.
But.... start off with easy gears. you're getting a triple.
on the lowest gear in the front (the little one) use only the big gears in the back.
on the middle gear in the front, you can use ALL gears in the back. On the big gear in the front, don't try to use the lower 3 gears (bigger 3 gears) on the back.
If this is all confusing, when you get the bike, turn it upside down and put it through its gears while you are watching (or put it on a work stand)
and expect to throw your chain a few times while you're getting used to it.
Since you mention throwing the chain...would I be revealing exactly how much of a newbie I am if ask why this happens?
The bike portion of my first Tri, Danskin Webster (New England) is v. v. hilly. They say about 80% get off and walk.
I actually was thrilled to have made it through the hardest parts by using my granny gear when I needed it, but about mile 9 I lost my chain (on a decline actually) and this never haapened during training so not only did I have no idea how to get it back on, but I'm not really sure why it happened.
Luckily it was right at an intersection so there were race helpers there who helped me, but how do I avoid it for future?
Got it! That looks GOOOOD! And now Mimi's description makes perfect sense.Quote:
Originally Posted by rij73
Hi girls - The Javalin bike came. I need to get it assembled and I need some pedals. I want SPD with a platform... Will Crank Brothers Mallet C work? I found a deal that comes with the pedals and some shoes for $80.00. I already have SPD road shoes but they have no traction on the bottom - not so safe for riding around Chicago.
Because as a newby (well, if you're like ME) you will not remember WHAT gear you're in when you are suddenly confronted with a hill, and you will try to drop down to the granny gear on one end but still have it in high gear on the other. The chain/chainrings are not designed for this, and often the chain will just pop off.Quote:
Originally Posted by mkidd
What happened to YOU seems odd, and I can't answer the question. You might have been in the wrong gear; but it usually happens to me on the uphill.
and did you learn how to put your chain on?
also, it helps to change gears BEFORE you are on that 10% grade, so thinking ahead is something that you will learn too.
Wow, the bike came fast! Keep us posted on how it looks and rides... Shoes and pedals for $80 is cheap if the pedals are good and the shoes fit! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Idealmuse
Sorry I never updated. Love LOVE the Javelin Fara bike. It got me through both a Sprint and International Tri last summer, and I'm working on my second International this summer.
I need to take it in for a tune-up as I'm having some trouble shifting between the rings and it's about that time anyway (hence have been mostly riding on the large ring which in flat Chicago isn't a problem)
But thanks a million to everyone who helped me pick out the right one for me last year. It was a killer deal and I couldn't be more pleased. I had a proper bike fit done and while the frame is a weeeee bit too big, it hasn't been an issue. It's worlds more comfortable then my Hard Rock was. I used to suffer from constantly numb hands on that beast.
I also love how stupidly light the bike is. Someone offered to help me carry it up the El Steps (Elevated Subway) and I had to tell the guy no it was silly light.
Thanks again!