Road bike shifter mod for rider with diminished use of the left hand
04-07-14, 06:47 AM
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Road bike shifter mod for rider with diminished use of the left hand
Hello All,
I’d like to share a mod done to my bike, a Trek 2.1, by my LBS in hopes that it will help others. Several years ago, I suffered a multiple root avulsion from the brachial plexus that left me with diminished use of my left hand. I can maintain control of my bike with my left hand. But, to use the left shifter on my bike, I’d have to reach over with my right hand and pull the shifter. This was not optimal and I almost lost control of my bike several times.
My LBS, shout out to Race Pace Bikes in Columbia, MD, suggested adding a Paul Thumbie and new shifter to the right side of my handle bar. I love this setup and it I no longer fret when I need to make those big gear shifts.
I’d like to share a mod done to my bike, a Trek 2.1, by my LBS in hopes that it will help others. Several years ago, I suffered a multiple root avulsion from the brachial plexus that left me with diminished use of my left hand. I can maintain control of my bike with my left hand. But, to use the left shifter on my bike, I’d have to reach over with my right hand and pull the shifter. This was not optimal and I almost lost control of my bike several times.
My LBS, shout out to Race Pace Bikes in Columbia, MD, suggested adding a Paul Thumbie and new shifter to the right side of my handle bar. I love this setup and it I no longer fret when I need to make those big gear shifts.
05-27-14, 01:05 PM
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I am so glad I joined this forum. I was shot in the neck during college (2008) and I have had very little to no use of the left hand. I have currently taken up road biking as a means to lose weight, down 50 lbs in 4 months, and have had a real problem with shifting and braking. I typically just stay on the small ring all the time and only use my back brake. I was looking at the new 2015 Specialized S-Works Tarmac Disc as a reward once i get down to 75lbs lost. My biggest worry though was how I was going to shift, braking taken care of by disc brakes. Seeing this as an option, but instead of mech di2 I am really looking forward to riding.
05-27-14, 01:10 PM
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How is your ability to use the front brake effected by this diminished use?
05-27-14, 01:54 PM
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06-22-14, 02:10 PM
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I strongly recommend connecting both brake calipers to the lever you can use. Using the rear brake alone is dangerous.
One of the best one-handed configurations I have seen, developed by Trek and one of our own BF 50+ers, takes advantage of the Shimano electronic shift system, with one set of four buttons on the mounting pod of the brake handle and a parallel set on the top bar. Beny Furrer, a Swiss competitor in this year's RAAM, has a pretty slick looking system, as well, but I don't have all of the particulars.
One of the best one-handed configurations I have seen, developed by Trek and one of our own BF 50+ers, takes advantage of the Shimano electronic shift system, with one set of four buttons on the mounting pod of the brake handle and a parallel set on the top bar. Beny Furrer, a Swiss competitor in this year's RAAM, has a pretty slick looking system, as well, but I don't have all of the particulars.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
07-22-14, 08:29 AM
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