Quote Originally Posted by DebW
Is there a rational reason why those two things should be correlated? Which side is the rear shifter on? The rear shifter ought to be on the same side as the rear derailleur (or did for downtube shifters). Putting the rear derailleur on the left would require the derailleur hanger on the left dropout, crank on the left side, crank arm pedal threads the opposite way, freewheel freewheeling the opposite way. I'm not sure if the BB fixed cup would have to move to the other side. I can't see manufacturers and framebuilders making those kinds of changes.
In answer to your question Deb, I do believe there is - they're the opposite on countries that drive on the left for signalling purposes:
http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3804

I was chuckling at this thread a while back, until I got my bike back from the workshop today, after having had the cassette replaced.
Apparently I'd managed to fit my rear brake blocks, not only back-to-front, but also upside down! I simply followed the instructions on the packet - how did that happen?!
Luckily my mechanic is a lovable guy and not at all into putting anyone down, it just tickled him - and he was more worried about my reduced braking power than reducing my ego.
Kinda embarrassing, all the same!