Optical gear display

[crumpetman]

Did a search but could not find a suitable answer, why is that optical gear display is only on the lower end Shimano models? I have looked at some bikes with 105 and higher and they do not have this "feature". Is it considered a gimmick? I do use mine a bit to make sure I am in the right gear for pulling away.

 

[ianrauk]

It is a gimmick really. They are not really needed. I would think that the more experienced cyclist would know what gear they are in and to change as and when necessary without having to look. I know I do.

That and they wouldn't look great on drop bar bikes.


Sorry the above sound's so bloody elitist doesn't it? It's not meant to read that way.

 

[e-rider]

Top end Shimano MTB kit has optical displays!

 

[crumpetman]

My drop bar bike (with tiagra) has it and I admit that the 105 version looks nicer. But then a single speed bike looks nicer too, and then one with no brakes looks nicer than that. The more clean and simple (less bits hanging off the frame, lack of cables etc) it looks the nicer it looks.

I guess for newbies they market it as "look you can see which gear you are in, isn't that really handy?" and then when you buy the next bike up "look no more of that annoying gear display gimmick, you don't need that anymore now you know what you are doing"

 

[ianrauk]

My drop bar bike (with tiagra) has it and I admit that the 105 version looks nicer. But then a single speed bike looks nicer too, and then one with no brakes looks nicer than that. The more clean and simple (less bits hanging off the frame, lack of cables etc) it looks the nicer it looks.

I guess for newbies they market it as "look you can see which gear you are in, isn't that really handy?" and then when you buy the next bike up "look no more of that annoying gear display gimmick, you don't need that anymore now you know what you are doing"

Actually now you mention it. Friend of mine has them on his drops, built into the levers.

 

[HLaB]

Is it also a con to make folk who by the higher end stuff but who want gear info to buy Shimano Flight Deck?

 

[the_mikey]

I have tiagra on one of my bikes and I've never used the optical display, it's easy to ignore.

 

[Glover Fan]

Is it also a con to make folk who by the higher end stuff but who want gear info to buy Shimano Flight Deck?

Probably.

 

[gaz]

Waist of time. I always know what gear I'm in.
** being elitist **

 

[Zoiders]

Shimano did indeed make an optical display for STI levers, it was an inline add on that you added to the cable run, not part of the shifter.

No bugger ever bought them, we have some new 8 speed ones knocking about in the bit's box somewhere.

 

[gb155]

when I was a newbie, I ALWAYS used the optical view of the gear I was in and held back from buying a bike without it

within about 4-6 months I never used it again, you just get the feel for it

 

[potsy]

My bike has optical gear display, I don't need it to tell me I'm in the middle ring

 

[iAmiAdam]

It's useless, I've tried to work out what gear it's telling me i'm in before but can't.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Your legs tell you what gear you are in. If you really are unsure a quick glance back at the cassette or down at the chainrings should help.

 

[Roadkill]

My Dura Ace 7800 groupset came with a neat optical display that fits nicely on the gear cable next to the levers.

You boys are good if you can feel 2 cassette teeth