What are "suicide changers"?

[Cyclopathic]

I assume they are a type of gear shifter but upon googling it was just met with a lot of quite gloomy stuff about suicide and how it can change a person. Thanks in advance for any answers.

 

[ianrauk]

Do you mean suicide brake levers for cyclocross bikes?

 

[MattHB]

I think they're the changers on the tube where you had to lean down to doit, often taking your eyes off where you were going! I remember them well

 

[mickle]

I think you want 'suicide shifter', an American term. Dave Moulton explains it here: http://davesbikeblog.blogspot.com/2007/06/suicide-shifters.html

 

[youngoldbloke]

I think they're the changers on the tube where you had to lean down to doit, often taking your eyes off where you were going! I remember them well

No they 're not - they are brake lever extensions, and they didn't work very well, making braking less effective - hence suicide levers.

edit: mickles explanation could well be correct. Must admit I have never heard those seat-tube lever-operated changers descibed that way.

 

[MattHB]

Ahh ok I remember those as well

 

[Christopher]

some seriously nice vintage bikes on mickle's link! [...does not seem to be a drool smiley...]

 

[youngoldbloke]

I obviously don't get out much - a quick search for 'suicide shifters' comes up with lots of discussion - the term is apparently also used to describe stem shifters too. I have never heard down tube levers called that though.

 

[col]

No they 're not - they are brake lever extensions, and they didn't work very well, making braking less effective - hence suicide levers.

edit: mickles explanation could well be correct. Must admit I have never heard those seat-tube lever-operated changers descibed that way.

I used to use these as scrubbers while up on the tops of the bars, if I needed to stop I just went down onto the levers.

 

[ianrauk]

I obviously don't get out much - a quick search for 'suicide shifters' comes up with lots of discussion - the term is apparently also used to describe stem shifters too. I have never heard down tube levers called that though.

Nor me

 

[mickle]

It's a hot rod / custom motorsickle term.

 

[Cyclopathic]

I used to use these as scrubbers while up on the tops of the bars, if I needed to stop I just went down onto the levers.

For some reason these brake levers were known as "GTs" when I was a lad and it seemed every "racer"/tourer was equipped with them. Like yourself I had no problem with them. As long as you know that they are only going to slow you down a bit they could actually be a useful adition to the cycling experience. And as soon as you use them for the first time to stop you quickly learn that they will not perform that function very well.

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

No they 're not - they are brake lever extensions, and they didn't work very well, making braking less effective - hence suicide levers.

edit: mickles explanation could well be correct. Must admit I have never heard those seat-tube lever-operated changers descibed that way.

Back in the 70's these were known as cruising brakes - I clocked up many a mile with them and no issues

What I do miss is the shortie mudguards from the 80's as they weren't that good at keeping you dry but did keep your brake mocks a lot cleaner

T

 

[Cyclopathic]

Back in the 70's these were known as cruising brakes - I clocked up many a mile with them and no issues

What I do miss is the shortie mudguards from the 80's as they weren't that good at keeping you dry but did keep your brake mocks a lot cleaner

T

Yes, I too have a fond spot for those aluminium "mudguards". In fact I might try and get some, just for old times sake. I never noticed that they kept my brakes cleaner but for some reason when I was a lad I thought that they were doing something so I didn't take mine off for ages. You could really get a good shine on them if you took of the protective plastic and got some brasso on them. Happy days.

 

[col]

For some reason these brake levers were known as "GTs" when I was a lad and it seemed every "racer"/tourer was equipped with them. Like yourself I had no problem with them. As long as you know that they are only going to slow you down a bit they could actually be a useful adition to the cycling experience. And as soon as you use them for the first time to stop you quickly learn that they will not perform that function very well.

The first time I did try to stop with them, I was pulling it passed the handlebars and still needed to get down on the brakes