Why This 'Dangerous' Shifter is Actually Awesome!

Trying an old school shifter mount for a new purpose.

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[XRturbo]

My weekly dose of obscure ways to shift gears on a bike. You never disappoint Rus.

[hw]

A refreshing YouTube channel that's not afraid to experiment with ideas and older tech. Too many people are sucked into the world of following the expensive trends.

[eamonwakefield]

I think the term “suicide shifter” comes from motorcycles where the reach would probably be more dangerous

[BodyKnight]

It's practically my setup. It's also what i've been suggesting to everybody who complain that they don't like 1x, but they want something simple. Yet, nobody wants to do this. It's such an easy, low maintenance, effective solution... yet people don't like it.

[-MacCat-]

You're always finding, rehashing or coming up with interesting hacks, gear and info!
Thanks for all your work for the "great unwashed" bicycle riders Russ.

[underbikedoverconfident]

This video made me realise I love geeking out over old bike designs. I actually think putting a shifter there just looks cool. Less cable equals cooler.

[Jackplumz]

Like it: it can be used to get rid of annoying through frame cables which are hard to get to if they fail on a long tour. But also great for fine tuning one of those front mechs that rubs annoyingly at the top and bottom.

[bmxadv]

I'm all for that style. I've been riding a 29er bmx with a suicide brake for last 7 years. I recently started biking in the mountains with it, mostly green and blue trails, but it's a wild ride every time. 😜

[JeffOehlsen]

This is the content I love. I grew up with friction shifters on the down tube. Knowing people move shifters like this helps get my brain out of it's "This is the way it is" box.

[chazwarpdrive]

I dig it. I have a very similar gearing on my Rockhopper: 38/28t Deore crank with 11-42t cassette w/ friction shifters. Love the Mtn double gearing. I almost never use the 28t ring, but I'm glad it's there. I don't think I would mind reaching for it. I like the idea of decluttering the cockpit. I ride retro-mod bikes mostly, and not having to worry about routing and cable stops is a big plus in my book.

[markholm]

Doesn’t matter if it looks odd or “hipster”. Only matters that it works. Really, it doesn’t look bad either, just not what we’re used to seeing. I have seen, in a museum, bikes with rod actuated front derailers. This is pretty much the same idea, but with a cable.

[larryd]

I like it!! Converted my touring bike from a 3x to a 1x a few years back and ride mostly on gravel trails ( the C&O Canal Trail and Great Alegeheny Passage from Washington DC to Pittsburgh). But I was just contemplating conversion to a 2x for road trip touring. You're demonstration of the "suicide shifter" has me sold. This set up will be out of the way on my Albatross handlebar giving more hand positions options. gonna do it👴👍🚴‍♂️💨

[johndef]

I like the old 10 speeds that had the shifters up by the stem.

[basilkinsey]

Thank you, Russ. I have S&S couplers to split my bike's frame and I have been pondering this eccentric idea for a while. I'd only ever seen it in pictures.

[kstoeb]

I like your „unconventional“ shifter approach, because it enhances the realm of possible. I have a pretty decent idea, wich gears I want and need and the limiting factor is always „well, the shifter may not be capable“. But when you free yourself of the coffin of the brake-lever-shift there are a bunch of new opportunities. Thanks for all your work 🙏

[johnbrann]

Genius! I love it, doubt that I would do it. But customizing your bike to suit your particular style or use is what its all about. Kudos for thinking out of the box. The reason I probably wouldn't do it is because I live in Saskatchewan, very flat. I don't need climbing gears.

[laryeparkins]

Haven't seen one of those seat post shifters for a long time: my first commuter bike (1976-77) was a Sears break-apart with 20" wheels, a Sturmey-Archer 3-speed hub with rear coaster brake and front caliper brake, shift lever on the seat tube, no cables to disconnect: unscrew three captive wing-bolts on a plate on the double down-tube and toss the pieces in the car boot. Perfectly natural shifting.

[no_Ray_bang]

Love it! I have been considering this sort of bail out gear option (having some 1x purchase regrets) I think this is THE solution.

[deusexaethera]

I have the exact same gearing setup on both of my MTBs -- essentially a 1x drivetrain but with a low range small chainring that I can bail into instantly if I encounter sudden difficulty. Everyone who runs a 1x drivetrain should strongly consider doing the same.

[nthonyholden]

I love the efficiency of this SO MUCH. And if you ever wanna get crazy with your granny gear, you can always sub in a 24 or 22. I think this is brilliant.