Re: [CR]SunTour "retrofrictions"

(Example: Framebuilders:Bernard Carré)

From: <RaleighPro531@aol.com>
Date: Sun, 25 Nov 2001 17:03:40 EST
Subject: Re: [CR]SunTour "retrofrictions"
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org


In a message dated 11/25/2001 4:16:31 PM Eastern Standard Time, jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net writes:


> I think the idea of the reverse action of some Suntour front derailleurs was
> that it would be less confusing for new users, in that the front and rear
> derailleurs would work the same, i.e. pulling the lever back would shift to
> a lower (easier) gear in each case. This is in contrast to the classic
> design were pulling back on the lever shifts to a lower gear in the rear,
> but a higher gear in front. It may have been less confusing for new users,
> but it confused the heck out of experienced derailleur users. Another
> example of an interesting idea whose time just never came.
> In my case my only barcon bike has the reverse front shifter. It's not a problem and I'm quite happy with the setup as is. I think in a downtube application it would be a problem for those that shift one handed as you're disrupting the routine your hand had grown accustomed to. Is Suntour really the only one that tried this? Nothing similiar from the early days? (none of this explains why when I switch bikes I reach for nonexistent levers)!

Pete Geurds
Douglassville, PA