On Saturday, March 8, 2003, at 06:48 PM, Wayne Davidson wrote:
> Hi, regarding "INDEX" equipment, I always remember reading why the
> italians were so slow in developing this system, "why change what is so
> easy to do"
Index shifting existed for 30-40 years before the deraileur even hit
the scene in the 30s in the form of internally geared hubs. Since the
first multi-geared FW came as a group with the gear changer they were
set-ups similar to today's groups. I can't see it would have been hard
to make a shifter with indents or teeth similar to the internal hub
shifters. I can't figure out why they didn't do it. I'm sure the same
reasons that racers embraced index shifting 15 years ago would have
made it popular 70 years ago had the makers provided it. Any thoughts?
enjoy,
Brandon"monkeyman"Ives
SB, CA