This is possibly the most offensive piece of gear I have encountered on a bike. Do you really need a little orange wand to tell you what gear you’re in? There is only one gear to be in: the hardest one at which you can still make the pedals go around in something resembling a circle.
These goofy little things were found on the bike I rented last weekend for a benefit ride on the east coast in honor of my late Aunt. It was a wonderful ride and great family time… but really, shift indicators? Further proof that all has been in decline since the advent of indexed derailleurs. What added insult to injury in this case was the quality (or lack there of) in the shifting itself. Tiagra is a far cry from my beloved Dura Ace. I would try to shift and the little orange wand would wobble uselessly back and forth — like a Seattle driver trying to merge on the highway — until, finally, an enormous noise would ripple up the bike and a new gear *might* be achieved. I began to brace myself for the effort…. and…. SHHHHHIIIIIFFFFFFTTTTT. Like passing a gallbladder stone. (Or so I imagine.)
In the end, this Cannondale Synapse was just fine. It even had a sharp paint job. Almost sharp enough to make up for the kiddie shifters.
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Lowly Tiagra or even Sora with or without silly indicators is a damn sight better than anything Merckx (praise be his guns) ever had at his disposal....
The problem is not in the gear, the problem is in the legs.
I'd be just as slow on a Super Record equppied Cervelo as I am on my steel Kona with Sora/FSA bits.
@Marcus
Stop talking!
@Pistolfromwarragul
Sorry but that is bullshit. What counts is good engineering. People who love bikes and making high quality, functional and beautiful products can start up a company tomorrow and if they make good stuff, I will look at it. Tradition isn't just about the start up day of the company. And, "end of", rarely means end of.
This is a riveting debate, but maybe we can segue into something less polemic like a helmet discussion. Somebody post something new and get this thread off the front page!
@Skip
The helmet debate is currently taking place on the Gear page. What we need is another installment of Look Pro.
@VeloVita
It looks like everybody's got a lot of free time now that the Tour is over...
@Pistolfromwarragul
"
Cycling is a mighty sport with a rich and complex history. Every company, racer, piece of kit, and component has a legend, a story behind it; in many cases it also has a personal and nostalgic connection to our lives. While this particular sport is steeped in tradition, it is also fiercely modern, a fact that serves only to deepen its complexity."-From the Keepers Page
Hmmmmm . . . sounds like someone needs to post a pic of Assos girl . . . .
OK, OK. Everybody settle down FFS. I think we can all agree on a few things here.
1) Shift indicators are fucked. And this needed to be pointed out.
2) Shimano makes great equipment. If it works, it's fine.
3) The fact that Gruppo, Group-San, and Bro-Set have become common terms on the site is a beautiful thing.
4) I may be a Campy boy but I've have various mtb bikes with shimano shifters and they work so damn well under great force, it's good Campy doesn't go there.
@V-olcano
I've always thought I somehow wound up with a set made on a Friday afternoon...