Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,835
Likes: 1,816
From: Northern California
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
What often takes these shifters out is having the leg on one's shorts catch on a shift lever when jamming out of the saddle.
So when riding in non-cycling shorts, one has to tone it down to a more-casual pace, and be cautious on climbs.
There was a fancy Italian brand of water bottle cage that was popular in the 90's that had the plastic grip plugs pressed in where the wire frame flared out into little wings, and those would similarly catch on trousers or loose shorts, something that could damage the downtube.
And I've had trouser cuffs catch on cotter pins, usually tearing the cuff.