Jan wrote ;
> Beyond derailleurs, I disagree with Bob that modern systems provide
> an advantage over old ones. Sure, a shift may take a split-second
> longer with a non-ramped freewheel, but in practice, that isn't a
> concern. Maybe in a time trial, where you could shave 2 seconds over
> 100 km - even that not enough to determine the outcome.
By all means Jan, disagree if you must, but I wasn't comparing derailleur systems, as what I actually wrote and was speaking about was ;
---- I'm not questioning your ability, but it is hard to believe you could beat a modern Shimano (and others) indexed systems that have the ability to go up down the block in about as much time as an S-A takes to shift from L to N... Not a reflection on you, just quite a few decades of progress. Certainly in comparison with the "vague" action of the pre & immediate post-war derailleur systems the S-A might be "Instantaneous", but against a modern 10 or less indexed ? or better still the pinnacle of indexing, the 8-speed Dura-Ace mmm... I have my doubts. ----
The comparison I was making was between S-A hubs and modern derailleur gear systems particularly in a head-to-head S-A vs Technowonder 30-speed glue and plastic wundabike. And I guess you've not done too many time trials, as less than a 2 second advantage over any distance can mean the difference between winning and losing a major tour, let alone taking the fastest time at a club time trial. Any little advantage helps no matter how seemingly "insignificant".
Bob Reid
Stonehaven
Scotland