Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => Freewheeling => Folders => Topic started by: BillN on 15 March, 2018, 06:45:50 pm

Title: New 2018 Brompton underbar Shifters
Post by: BillN on 15 March, 2018, 06:45:50 pm
These look quite nice

has anyone fitted them to their older Bikes - I think that they are now available, (but not sure??), for retro fit at about £30 each - 2 needed
(but not for M bars - would this be because of the cable lengths?)

opinion could be mixed

https://clevercycles.com/blog/2016/10/14/a-first-look-at-bromptons-2017-underbar-shifters/

Title: Re: New 2018 Brompton underbar Shifters
Post by: grams on 15 March, 2018, 08:05:23 pm
They're not as good for bang-shifting quickly as the old design, and thus of no interest to me.

As well as the new levers you also need to replace part of the chain pusher (https://brilliantbikes.co.uk/brompton-derailleur-parts-and-cables/2554-brompton-derailleur-cable-anchorage-and-spring-set-for-integrated-shifter.html) to one with a cable clamp.

(the old design has the cable head inside the chain pusher spring and the clamped end in the lever)
Title: Re: New 2018 Brompton underbar Shifters
Post by: 1nterceptor on 16 March, 2018, 06:32:33 pm
I've tried both styles; like the ones on my 2013 better. The latest one have windows to tell you which gear(s) you're in.
The older ones, I can tell which gears I'm in by feel. Plus, you can't see gear indicators at night. :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgAolPxEhhk&index=30&list=UUHyRS8bRu6zPoymgKaIoDLA
Title: Re: New 2018 Brompton underbar Shifters
Post by: Kim on 16 March, 2018, 09:27:08 pm
Plus, you can't see gear indicators at night. :)

I've greatly improved the low-light readability of various Shimano trigger shifters by carefully dismantling the indicator module and adding a sliver of white Scotchlite tape to the visible side of the pointer.  Another strip on the outside alongside the window provides a reference.

It works stupendously well under the light of the feeblest of head-torches, and being white (rather than red) is generally visible under street lighting, even by specular reflection.  That covers about 95% of my nocturnal cycling - some guesswork can be required for the remainder.  A worthwhile improvement for 10 minutes work and a homeopathic quantity of Scotchlite.

No idea how conducive the Brompton design is to such treatment...
Title: Re: New 2018 Brompton underbar Shifters
Post by: Jakob W on 16 March, 2018, 10:00:55 pm
That is remarkably cunning, if slightly less exotic than I might have expected from a Kim mod; wot, no radium paint or tritium vials?  ;D