Originally Posted by
ColonelSanders
To my sheer and utter amazement, I have noticed the odd person say that they prefer Gear Shifters without any Gear Indicators on them, and this is something that I am struggling mightily with to understand.
Style points, at least partly. One less thing to break if you are a mountain-biker.
I rarely know what gear I'm in. Friends riding w/me will ask and often seem consternated when I cannot answer. I don't dare look between my legs long enough to count.
Usually I know what front ring I'm in. On the back I just go higher or lower as needed. And I can tell from the feel of the shifter and the bike when I'm at either extreme end of the cassette.
Some of my bikes have the indicators, and some do not. I don't stress much either way, but I guess these days I have a mild preference for not having them.