tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323331624230590906.post8887053333632719504..comments2023-12-22T22:09:04.698-06:00Comments on The Cycle: On Caffeine, Cycles, And ComplexityJason T. Nunemakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14140597732588714945noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323331624230590906.post-90625589050455730102011-04-19T18:56:38.512-05:002011-04-19T18:56:38.512-05:00some blogger said "and if electrical systems ...some blogger said "and if electrical systems were 100% foolproof, pal Steve K. would be out of a job."<br /><br />Not entirely true! While my job duties have changed over the years, there are no end of the ways that things can go wrong. Most of these involve humans, to tell the truth. <br /><br />Anyway... I don't think electronics themselves are the issue. The bigger issues are perceived complexity, reliability, and need for maintenance. Nobody complains about the good old days of soup cans and string because our wired phones are incredibly reliable! Not many folks miss the days of carburators because ECU's in our cars have been very reliable and allow the reduction of emissions (and who misses the days of clogged needle valves and floats that start to sink, etc?).<br /><br />'Tronic shifting has the potential to be less complex than some of the brifters that I've seen. The biggest issue might be the battery, which could be replaced (google the phrase "energy harvesting"). The next issue could be the mechanical switches in the shifters (could be replaced by hall cells, which are becoming very standard in the world of big earthmoving equipment). <br /><br />So, I'd say that it's very possible that 'tronic shifting will be like aluminum and carbon bike frames. Lots of folks saying that it's the work of the devil and we'll all be killed by it, but we may just fall in love and forget that we ever had any misgivings (like indexed shifting??)<br /><br />as always...<br /><br />Steve "soup cans 'n string" Kurt<br />somewhere in central IllinoisSteveKurthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02030166718393843244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323331624230590906.post-66522680920518954292011-04-19T15:35:02.680-05:002011-04-19T15:35:02.680-05:00Scott -- Although I don't want to mess with hy...Scott -- Although I don't want to mess with hydraulics on my bikes, I can see the need. Wonder if the old Magura HS66 drop-bar levers (now vaporware, unfortunately) would work with modern hydraulic discs? Of course, that would require Magura to start making 'em again.<br /><br />I have to think that with the UCI approving disc brakes for 'cross, somebody's going to come out with a drop-bar hydraulic lever (or your idea of a remote, cable-activated master cylinder for the STI crowd) sooner or later. Of course, I've predicted MANY things that didn't come to pass...Jason T. Nunemakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14140597732588714945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323331624230590906.post-63228472588107110912011-04-19T13:42:57.139-05:002011-04-19T13:42:57.139-05:00Loved the post! Yes, I hope everyone will draw th...Loved the post! Yes, I hope everyone will draw the line where they want it. Put me in the friction shifter-on-the-down tube camp. Like stirring, I find it a delightful experience.Ponderohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16042079750126434523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323331624230590906.post-74129371824502164072011-04-19T12:19:41.222-05:002011-04-19T12:19:41.222-05:00Add this to the "Campy goes to 11!" colu...Add this to the "Campy goes to 11!" column. More solutions in need of a problem.<br /><br />I have a problem in need of a solution, and I have the answer for the folks who are capable of manufacturing the solution. Hydraulic brakes for any brake lever you want to use. Put the master cylinder anywhere on the bike. Run a regular brake cable from your regular levers to the master cylinder. Have a couple of attachment points for levers with different amounts of cable pull. Why hasn't Problem Solvers started selling this?Scott Lovelesshttp://www.twosixteen.com/fivetoedsloth/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323331624230590906.post-11712997598873906642011-04-19T10:25:51.720-05:002011-04-19T10:25:51.720-05:00"OMG" I won one of those things at a net..."OMG" I won one of those things at a networking event - although yours looks nicer. Lordy.Lindseyhttp://www.exhibitsmith.comnoreply@blogger.com