well, the "simple" explanation with retro-direct type gearing is that the higher gear is engaged while pedaling forward, and the low gear is engaged while pedalling *backwards*.
the full explanation, though, is beyond me. im sure that at the time, there were voices saying "theres *got* to be a simpler way...". fortunately, there was. :)
-joel
>This one certainly is interesting.... (don't have a clue how it works)
>
>http://www.jl-largey.ch/52elsig/elsig-images/elsig16.jpg
>
>John Price
>Denver CO
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "joel metz, ifbma/sfbma" <magpie@messengers.org>
>To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
>Sent: Sunday, November 09, 2003 4:38 PM
>Subject: [CR]a swiss collectors site...
>
>
>> something i found in the process of searching around on this here
>> internet - web site of a swiss bike collector...
>>
>> its all in french, and the pictures are small, but its still worth
>> checking out, i dont remember seeing it posted or linked before, and
>> i figured you all might be interested... theres a few interesting
>> retro-direct bikes and other curious bits...
>>
>> http://www.jl-largey.ch/
>>
>> -joel
>>
>> --
>> joel metz : magpie@messengers.org : http://www.blackbirdsf.org/
>> bike messengers worldwide : ifbma : http://www.messengers.org/
>> po box 191443 san francisco ca 94119-1443 usa
>> ==
>> i know what innocence looks like - and it wasn't there,
>> after she got that bicycle...
>> _______________________________________________
>> Classicrendezvous mailing list
>> Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
>> http://www.bikelist.org/
--
joel metz : magpie@messengers.org : http://www.blackbirdsf.org/
bike messengers worldwide : ifbma : http://www.messengers.org/
po box 191443 san francisco ca 94119-1443 usa
==
i know what innocence looks like - and it wasn't there,
after she got that bicycle...