What are "suicide changers"?

[col]

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.

I liked these too, used to use solvol autosol on em though.

 

[Pennine-Paul]

3rd pic down shows suicide shifters,dont fancy using those
http://belgiumkneewarmers.blogspot.com/2008/02/handmade-bicycle-show-image-dump.html

 

[col]

3rd pic down shows suicide shifters,dont fancy using those
http://belgiumkneewarmers.blogspot.com/2008/02/handmade-bicycle-show-image-dump.html

never seen those before? Strange set up.

 

[Matthew_T]

Is anyone thinking they are down tube shifters?

I thought this thread was going to be about people who change lanes suicidally.

 

[Ian H]

3rd pic down shows suicide shifters,dont fancy using those
http://belgiumkneewarmers.blogspot.com/2008/02/handmade-bicycle-show-image-dump.html

That's a Campag Roubais changer. Special dropout with teeth that engaged with a toothed axle, so the hub rolled in and out. To change: loosen the quick-release (upper lever), change gear (lower lever), allow the chain to tension itself then retighten the QR. A friend, a sucker for new gear, bought one in the 50s. He said his mates on fixed had to push him while he changed so he could keep up.

 

[HovR]

Is anyone thinking they are down tube shifters?

I don't see anything dangerous about down tube shifters.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

That's a Campag Roubais changer. Special dropout with teeth that engaged with a toothed axle, so the hub rolled in and out. To change: loosen the quick-release (upper lever), change gear (lower lever), allow the chain to tension itself then retighten the QR. A friend, a sucker for new gear, bought one in the 50s. He said his mates on fixed had to push him while he changed so he could keep up.

Thanks for that explanation: I was looking at the picture and wondering why the upper lever seemed to connect with the quick release and, believe me, I wasn't getting any wiser.

 

[col]

I don't see anything dangerous about down tube shifters.

I used to find them very satisfying to use, before the clicks and indexing. It was a sort of pride thing to change smoothly and quietly.

 

[DCLane]

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 liked them - and wondered why they aren't on current bikes. Also, I could have done with one a fortnight ago when going down a hill whilst talking on the phone. Yes, I DO know I shouldn't have being doing that!

 

[youngoldbloke]

Check out 'interrupter levers'.

 

[Part time cyclist]

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 remember these on my first racer bike....... Bloody useless a lad stepped of the oath in front of me when I grabbed a handful of brake to stop me guess what it didn't !!!!!! Ouch