Jan,
OK, i thought for sure you were going to say that you could still shift the levers quicker than handlebar mounted STI levers! Kidding.
Grant McLean Toronto, Canada
Jan wrote: We tested a very similar Herse Demontable for Bicycle Quarterly Vol. 3, No. 3. The only way to shift is behind your legs. There isn't enough room between your legs... so there is no problem with decency. It does break your rhythm a bit, as you have to slow your pedaling a bit (your shift has to be completed within one pedal revolution, when the leg comes back up).
Otherwise, it was a great-riding bike. The disassembly is very quick. Because the brake cable stops are slotted, you don't have to disconnect the brake cable - you just unhook the centerpull straddle wire and take the whole thing off. The QR stem really helps - you can take apart the bike in less than a minute, with no tools required.
Jan Heine
Editor
Bicycle Quarterly
140 Lakeside Ave #C
Seattle WA 98122
http://www.bikequarterly.com
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