More fun from Herse

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08-22-25 | 10:30 AM

Aubergine

Thread Starter

Francophile

Joined: Nov 2015

Posts: 4,809

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From: Seattle

Bikes: Lots

More fun from Herse

https://www.renehersecycles.com/intr...nt-derailleur/

I'd love to give this a try if I ever feel like stripping and modifying a frame. Just for the whatever heck.

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08-22-25 | 10:51 AM

jPrichard10

Vintage Trek Black Hole

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 1,415

Likes: 1,352

From: Portland, Cascadia

Bikes: 1976 Merz' Tourer, 1984 Strawberry, 1978 Trek 910, 1982 Trek 950, 1982 Trek 720, 1981 Trek 510

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aubergine

https://www.renehersecycles.com/intr...nt-derailleur/

I'd love to give this a try if I ever feel like stripping and modifying a frame. Just for the whatever heck.

This is a novelty I think I'd really enjoy. I like riding "one plus granny" like he mentions, and I am a good combo of flexible and limby.

My concerns for this are adjustability for different chainrings if I ever change gearing and, of course, price.

Last edited by jPrichard10; 08-22-25 at 10:55 AM.

08-22-25 | 10:52 AM

bikingshearer

Crawlin' up, flyin' down

Joined: Jan 2006

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From: Democratic Peoples' Republic of Berkeley

Bikes: 1967 Paramount; 1982-ish Ron Cooper; 1978 Eisentraut "A"; two mid-1960s Cinelli Speciale Corsas; and others in various stages of non-rideability.

Not a chance. Especially on a tandem. As John Madden used to say, "I couldn't do that when I could do that."

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08-22-25 | 10:53 AM

Eric F

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From: Altadena, CA

Bikes: 2025 Ritte Esprit, 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2022 Trek Supercaliber

I'm holding out for the rear derailleur version.

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08-22-25 | 11:02 AM

Aubergine

Thread Starter

Francophile

Joined: Nov 2015

Posts: 4,809

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From: Seattle

Bikes: Lots

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric F

I'm holding out for the rear derailleur version.

Well, they did re-engineer the Nivex as the obvious choice to go with the front derailleur. https://www.renehersecycles.com/shop...ar-derailleur/

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08-22-25 | 11:13 AM

Eric F

Habitual User

Joined: Jan 2020

Posts: 9,928

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From: Altadena, CA

Bikes: 2025 Ritte Esprit, 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2022 Trek Supercaliber

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aubergine

Well, they did re-engineer the Nivex as the obvious choice to go with the front derailleur. https://www.renehersecycles.com/shop...ar-derailleur/

Wow. Ummm...yeah...this is not for me.

08-22-25 | 11:49 AM

gearbasher

Senior Member

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 1,910

Likes: 1,473

From: A different place and time.

I picture my hand jamming between the tire and the seat tube. Great place for road grime to accumulate.

08-22-25 | 12:42 PM

awrycycle

Full Member

Joined: Mar 2021

Posts: 267

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From: nyc ‘94

if you wanna DIY -

or if you really wanna do it yourself -

08-22-25 | 12:50 PM

bikingshearer

Crawlin' up, flyin' down

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 6,745

Likes: 4,398

From: Democratic Peoples' Republic of Berkeley

Bikes: 1967 Paramount; 1982-ish Ron Cooper; 1978 Eisentraut "A"; two mid-1960s Cinelli Speciale Corsas; and others in various stages of non-rideability.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric F

I'm holding out for the rear derailleur version.

Been done. It's called a "cambio corsa."

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08-22-25 | 12:59 PM

#10

Kontact

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Joined: Apr 2011

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Why is this not available to clamp on?

08-22-25 | 01:12 PM

#11

bulgie

Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 3,752

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From: Seattle

Gives new meaning to the term "digital shifting", when you use your digits (fingers)

08-22-25 | 04:03 PM

#12

ShannonM

Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2020

Posts: 1,820

Likes: 1,486

From: Oakland, CA

This, and the Nivex-y rear derailleur are pure "why the hell not" passion projects...

I think it's awesome, and if I lived the life that allowed for it, I'd totally have a bike built around all of their weirdo-cool parts. I'm not, and never will be.

--Shannon

08-22-25 | 04:10 PM

#13

Aubergine

Thread Starter

Francophile

Joined: Nov 2015

Posts: 4,809

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From: Seattle

Bikes: Lots

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kontact

Why is this not available to clamp on?

I wonder if it is to ensure that the shifter is always properly aligned?

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08-22-25 | 04:23 PM

#14

Eric F

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Joined: Jan 2020

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From: Altadena, CA

Bikes: 2025 Ritte Esprit, 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2022 Trek Supercaliber

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikingshearer

Been done. It's called a "cambio corsa."

I'm aware. Is there a RH version?

08-22-25 | 05:34 PM

#15

iab

Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 12,882

Likes: 5,413

From: NW Burbs, Chicago

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kontact

Why is this not available to clamp on?

Beats me.

It is pretty much index shifting, ay least with 2 rings.

08-22-25 | 06:25 PM

#16

bikingshearer

Crawlin' up, flyin' down

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 6,745

Likes: 4,398

From: Democratic Peoples' Republic of Berkeley

Bikes: 1967 Paramount; 1982-ish Ron Cooper; 1978 Eisentraut "A"; two mid-1960s Cinelli Speciale Corsas; and others in various stages of non-rideability.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric F

I'm aware. Is there a RH version?

Not that I know of. But then I do not pay more than occasional attention to the latest from Jan Henne/Rene Herse. Fun stuff to look at, but of no practical use to me. I hope his market share is such that he/they can stay in business (this kind of diversity makes for a more interesting world) but I doubt if I am going to be a customer except maybe - and I stress "maybe" - for some tires.

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08-22-25 | 06:44 PM

#17

25.4TPI

MAFAC Enthusiast

Joined: Aug 2025

Posts: 457

Likes: 414

From: Montaña

Bikes: A few but not too many. Some new, some old. High ratio of Frenchies. Metal only.

I’d absolutely try some of this low tech business on a mess around bike if it were like $50 and clamped on.

08-22-25 | 08:16 PM

#18

Kontact

Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 12,701

Likes: 4,832

Quote:

Originally Posted by 25.4TPI

I’d absolutely try some of this low tech business on a mess around bike if it were like $50 and clamped on.

Take a normal derailleur, cut the spring, peen the pivots tighter and add an extension rod to the cable clamp.

08-22-25 | 08:46 PM

#19

25.4TPI

MAFAC Enthusiast

Joined: Aug 2025

Posts: 457

Likes: 414

From: Montaña

Bikes: A few but not too many. Some new, some old. High ratio of Frenchies. Metal only.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kontact;[url=tel:23591999

23591999[/url]]Take a normal derailleur, cut the spring, peen the pivots tighter and add an extension rod to the cable clamp.

Challenge accepted.

The first two steps were actually pretty easy with an old Suntour. Ideas for an extension rod?

Last edited by 25.4TPI; 08-22-25 at 08:58 PM.

08-22-25 | 09:23 PM

#20

albrt

Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2020

Posts: 1,507

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From: Phoenix, AZ

Bikes: 1964(?) Frejus Tour de France, 1967(?) Dawes Double Blue, 1979 Trek 710, 1982 Claud Butler Dalesman, 1983 Schwinn Paramount Elite, 1984 Miyata 1000, 2014 Brompton, maybe a couple more

Quote:

Originally Posted by 25.4TPI

Challenge accepted.

The first two steps were actually pretty easy with an old Suntour. Ideas for an extension rod?

In the spirit of the challenge, seems like you are probably obligated to use a coat hanger.

08-22-25 | 09:53 PM

#21

icemilkcoffee

Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 4,286

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I am all for retro. But retro'ing back to 1940 seems excessive

08-22-25 | 10:53 PM

#22

Kontact

Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 12,701

Likes: 4,832

Quote:

Originally Posted by 25.4TPI

Challenge accepted.

The first two steps were actually pretty easy with an old Suntour. Ideas for an extension rod?

A section of aluminum tubing, flattened on one end with a hole drilled in it.

08-22-25 | 11:17 PM

#23

gugie

Bike Butcher of Portland

Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 12,465

Likes: 8,021

From: Portland, OR

Bikes: It's complicated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kontact

Why is this not available to clamp on?

A clever fellah might figure out how to make an adapter.

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08-22-25 | 11:19 PM

#24

gugie

Bike Butcher of Portland

Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 12,465

Likes: 8,021

From: Portland, OR

Bikes: It's complicated.

I think we're damn close to using this emoji.

__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

08-22-25 | 11:57 PM

#25

Kontact

Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 12,701

Likes: 4,832

Quote:

Originally Posted by gugie

A clever fellah might figure out how to make an adapter.

Too bad that guy doesn't work there.

In a business so dedicated to frames that only have 28.6 seat tubes, why did this ever need a braze on?

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