Non-shifting uses for shifters but still on a bike?
06-17-19, 10:41 PM
#1
Clark W. Griswold
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Non-shifting uses for shifters but still on a bike?
So a co-worker gave me an old 2010 Surly Instigator frame/boat anchor and I am going through parts and such to build it up and kind of want to go single speed. However I have some shifter/brake lever combos and was thinking maybe use the shifter for something else and was curious if anyone has ever thought about it or done something crazy like that? I can probably scrounge up some brake levers or just go and buy some Avid Speed Dials but why not go crazy.
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06-17-19, 11:20 PM
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Clark W. Griswold
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06-18-19, 07:05 AM
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Maybe you could use the shifter to control the rear brake thus making it a parking brake. 
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06-18-19, 07:11 AM
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Every day a winding road
Rig it to deliver beer to stored in a cooler on the rear rack to the handlebar.
06-18-19, 08:57 AM
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I'd buy one, but only if it was carbon and had a big logo from a well known high-end manufacturer.
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We are all crazy
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06-18-19, 10:40 AM
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My first Santana tandem had an Aria drag brake for the rear wheel.
For long downhills I'd set the drag brake with a thumb shifter and use the front and rear canty's to fine tune the descent of the bike.
For long downhills I'd set the drag brake with a thumb shifter and use the front and rear canty's to fine tune the descent of the bike.
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06-18-19, 10:50 AM
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Mario Kart might be a place to look for inspiration--a banana peel dispenser?
06-18-19, 10:55 AM
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Two words....
Nitrous Oxide.
I have no idea how it would make a pedal powered bike go faster....but that's your problem to solve. I came up with the brilliant idea of making the shift levers activate it.
Nitrous Oxide.
I have no idea how it would make a pedal powered bike go faster....but that's your problem to solve. I came up with the brilliant idea of making the shift levers activate it.
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06-18-19, 01:45 PM
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06-18-19, 02:28 PM
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06-18-19, 06:00 PM
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There was a more classic version, but can't find that so this will have to do.
Way back when I was at the first NY Maker Faire, inside in the museum and hear this horrible racket. I thought "I've read that pulse jets can be heard for miles, and I bet that's what they sound like" and walked outside. Fortunately had some ear plugs with me which was useful when watching a few other such projects start up. Alas, contrary to the meme the builder set his beer on the ground when he picked up the leaf blower, rather than handing it off with the traditional request (and no worries, turns out that a pulse jet is a terrible match for a giant dragster; the thing barely moved at all though the sound was unbelievable)
06-18-19, 07:29 PM
#17
Clark W. Griswold
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Some really interesting ideas. I like the idea of rigging some form of bell to it or the dropper post idea (though I probably will run this sans dropper because I don't have a spare laying about but maybe could build some sort of Hite-Rite doohickey?
Thanks for the help and continue the crazy!
Thanks for the help and continue the crazy!
06-18-19, 08:56 PM
#18
Cycleway town
My Ellswick has old skool road bike shifters mounted on the stem. You can see the left one is up, the right one is down. That's because they operate the throttle and clutch...
06-18-19, 09:28 PM
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I could swear I've heard of someone on SS/FG doing this. Maybe they just mounted the bell directly on the shifter mount, can't remember. 
06-19-19, 12:39 AM
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Actuators for solenoids that, roughly in order, dispense:
- Rear mounted flip-off or "thank you" flags.
- Tasty treats, glitter or explosive thumbtacks, as circumstances warrant.
- Smoke bombs.
- Bottle rockets.
06-19-19, 04:53 AM
#21
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I was thinking it would be cool to rig up something to turn on my lights. After putting some thought into this, I decided it ain't happening, at least not with my Cygolites and the top push button actuation. There are some solutions, but most that I could think of were too complicated and not worth the time.
Interestingly, it would be easier to rig up a basic light using a momentary on spring loaded toggle.
That's mechanical.
I'm not sure how electronic shifters and the buttons work but I'm sure someone with electronic skills could wire up some lights. It would seem to me that the switches are momentary on only? to actuate the derailleurs up and down?
I think that would be cool!
Interestingly, it would be easier to rig up a basic light using a momentary on spring loaded toggle.
That's mechanical.
I'm not sure how electronic shifters and the buttons work but I'm sure someone with electronic skills could wire up some lights. It would seem to me that the switches are momentary on only? to actuate the derailleurs up and down?
I think that would be cool!
06-20-19, 10:19 AM
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1/2 as far in 2x the time
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Pain receptors dialed down, might improve performance, particularly climbing, provided able to stay upright.
Last edited by Last ride 76; 06-20-19 at 10:23 AM.
