Originally Posted by
Dave Mayer
I get it. There are 3 variables in indexed shifting: the shifter cable pull, the derailleur mechanical advantage, and the cog spacing. You want the ability to modify the cable pull within the shifters.
Yes! Though I do not so much care if it is within the shifter or cable-run. Another gentleperson here suggested I check out
JTek and they indeed do have some nice inline pulley systems. From my perspective, where function is 99% and appearance is 1% of the attractiveness of a thing, they work. For the general market, it requires too much hacking, in looks expecially to be common.
I am only aware of 2 takes on this, the Modolo Morphos shifters and Campagnolo Ergopower levers, where there is the ability to change the indexing rings. I have never used the Modolo levers, but have read mixed to negative reviews. Campagnolo has changed their shifter internals several times since the introduction of Ergopower in 1991, so you cannot upgrade certain generations of shifters beyond a certain point. I have spent a lot of time digging around in and servicing Ergopower levers, and I know that you cannot upgrade the old 8-speed levers to take a 11 speed indexing ring. I suppose if you'd drop a few hundred thousand bucks on Valentino, he'd be willing to manufacter a custom indexing ring for say: 12 speeds, but short of that, I think you should focus on easier solutions, such as modifying the length of the cable pull after the cable exits the shifters.
Or thinking completely out of the box, I might suggest jumping off of the n+1 cog merry-go-round of planned obsolescence that the bike manufacturers have hoisted on us for the last few decades. 11 speed drivetrain? It is an absurd joke that has gone well past the point of diminishing returns; it is only meant to sell more stuff.
I thoroughly agree about the bovine feces bandwagon of ever increasing cog numbers. It seems thoroughly silly to attempt to imitate a CVT by adding gear ratios to infinity (and beyond?
). For the few pros and really gifted amateurs who can train and compete at the high end, there is likely a real benefit. The problem is that the major manufacturers deprecate their lower cog-count parts to force one to either scrounge the LBS/craigslist/ebay or to upgrade.
At my current low level of skill and fitness, a 3x7 is really quite fine, though 8 or 9 on the back would not hurt. I know that I really cannot get added value from 10 or 11 tight spaced gears. I'm not that capable a cyclist at the moment. When looking at bike shops, though, DNP is the
only? maker of 11T-## freewheels for older bikes. For cassettes,
Bicycle Cassettes - Modern Bike shows:
7sp - 13 choices
8sp - 18
9sp - 49
10sp - 73
11sp - 35.
That looks like one either has to live with ever decreasing choice and stay off the train or throw away good bits every few years to buy new.
Thanks. I appreciate the insight and experience.