[CR] STEM SHIFTERS + BEER + SAFETY LEVERS

(Example: Racing)

Date: Wed, 23 Aug 2000 23:01:28 -0400
From: <"bikeville@erols.com">
To: "Stockwell, Brad" <BRAD.STOCKWELL@mpp.cpii.com>
CC: "'Jerry Moos'" <moos@penn.com>, John <bikehunt@pacbell.net>, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
References: <9CE7CEBC1555D4118FCD006008279E684C7D63@mppmail.mpp.cpii.com>
Subject: [CR] STEM SHIFTERS + BEER + SAFETY LEVERS

I am a mechanic, sometimes I`ll test ride a repair to the BEER store, the long Huret stem shifter works well as a tiller while allowing shifting w/a case on the hip coming home, the idiot/safety (brake) levers are never far away, the long levers give xtra leverage too! Allrounder bars, upsidedown, w/brake levers mounted at the apex of the foreward curve, gives a sporty position w/easy access to all controls on a stem shift bike. This costs $15.00 retail, bars/grips, do it yourself, shorten existing cables. Next you`ll want a Plescher rack, + fenders! Paramount Tandems came equipt w/stem shifters."Probably" not found on any TDF winners! Curtis (eye no stemshifters) Anthony
> MY TWO CENTS ON STEM SHIFTERS:
>
> To me, the drag was that you almost have to sit up to shift.
>
> I don't know how many of you actually use your fingertips to shift (OK,
> maybe those with Simplex retrofriction levers can get away with that) but I
> generally shift my somewhat stiff Campy-style levers by grasping the
> downtube-mounted lever from above -- sandwiching the lever between the heal
> of my thumb on the 'front' side and the remainder of my fingers on the
> 'back' side - so I'm sort of pushing the lever with my wrist/palm rather
> than my relatively weaker fingertips. Is this verbiage making any sense?
>
> Well, so, if you're gonna shift the rear derailleur with stem shifters
> you've gotta sit up, put your left hand on the bar tops near the stem, then
> shift with the right hand, then resume your original position on the hoods
> or the drops or where ever.
>
> (True confessions: my first 10-speed was a Nishiki Olympic with
> 'champagne' paint, 'safety' levers, stem shifters, a plastic 'quilted look'
> saddle, and reflector-weighted-always-right-side-up pedals. This bike was
> stolen 2 months later, and replaced 8 months later by a used Zeus
> Competition.)
>
> Now, with down-tube levers you can stay right where you are. You get
> plenty of leverage fulcruming against the frame and there is no effect on
> steering.
>
> I don't know, maybe it's just me. I also have issues with bar-ends.
>
> Brad "put 'em on the dog-gone downtube, thank you" Stockwell
> Palo Alto
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jerry Moos [mailto:moos@penn.com]
> Sent: Thursday, November 30, 2000 5:34 AM
> To: John
> Cc: brian blum; jfbender@umich.edu;
> classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: Re: [Classicrendezvous] Atala and "Schwinn
> Approved" plus commercial
>
> I think you have a point, John. There is a certain amount
> of snobbery that
> creaps into our thinking. These shifters do present an
> injury hazard in a crash
> - but the same could be said of those adjustable Cinelli
> steel track stems or
> pre-WWII Paramount stems. We probably think of stem
> shifters as ridiculous
> because they appeared on some pretty junky bikes. If Rene
> Herse had used them
> extensively, we'd probably be calling them "classic".
>
> Regards,
>
> Jerry Moos
>
> John wrote:
>
> > Just out of curiosity, what is it, exactly, that makes
> stem mounted shifters
> > "ridiculous"?? Stop guffawing, you veteran experts. I
> really want to know.
> >
> > John Dunn in Napa Valley
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: brian blum <brianblum@hotmail.com>
> > To: <jfbender@umich.edu>
> > Cc: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> > Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2000 5:10 PM
> > Subject: Re: [Classicrendezvous] Atala and "Schwinn
> Approved" plus
> > commercial
> >
> > > I find it hard to imagine a Varsity as quality, though
> it could be
> > > consistant. I have a photo of an abandoned Schwinn
> Sports Tourer that has
> > > been lock in this rack for many years. It was there when
> I started working
> > > here 4 years ago. Grand Tourismo, TA cranks, brazed
> Reynolds 531 and
> > > rediculous stem mounted shifters just like a Varsity.
> > >
> http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=269411&a=10226754&p=34344260
> > >
> > > Brian
> > >
> > > ----Original Message Follows----
> > > From: Joseph Bender-Zanoni <jfbender@umich.edu>
> > > To: "brian blum" <brianblum@hotmail.com>
> > > CC: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> > > Subject: Re: [Classicrendezvous] Atala and "Schwinn
> Approved" plus
> > > commercial
> > > Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 19:24:22 -0800
> > >
> > > Ah but a Varsity is a wonderful thing in terms of
> quality. Consistent,
> > > reliable. It worked. See Sheldon's site about the
> electroformed frame
> > > process. The consistency of the Schwinn product and what
> it stood for
> > > across the line is remarkable.
> > >
> > > My point about the Chiorda is that you have the good one
> and it is fine,
> > > but the lesser bikes were painful and they hurt their
> image.
> > >
> > > And now a special "Schwinn Approved" offering. Toe
> straps. White. NOS
> > (some
> > > have a little rust on the buckles. Made in Italy.
> Schwinn Sprint $2.
> > > Schwinn Approved $4. Plus shipping ($1-$3.20). Delivery
> may slide to
> > > January.
> > >
> > > Joe
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> ____________________________________________________________________________
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> > >
> > >
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