Re: [CR]Zapp

(Example: Framebuilders)

Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2004 12:57:39 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jerome & Elizabeth Moos <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Re: [CR]Zapp
To: wheelman@nac.net, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
In-Reply-To: <59878.146.152.216.1.1091215196.squirrel@webmail.nac.net>


I believe there is another Mavic electronic system with a different name and design, but I can't recall the name. It is more recent than Zapp, but may have gone out of production as well.

Regards,

Jerry Moos Houston, TX

wheelman@nac.net wrote: Yes as mentioned before, Zapp was a Mavic system and I had one of these and can tell you that they were a bit unique. I was told to use that word in place of a derrogatory comment many years ago in my professional life. It used a solenoid that reacted to a hard wired switch that had to be put in the handlebars. The wire was unruly and ugly. The system would not shift unless the bike was moving pretty much like any standard derailleur. It made a funny clicking noise like any solenoid does. A later version was added to the line that used RF instead of the wire. The receiver on the rear derailleur stuck out about an inch an a half and I'll bet a lot got knocked off or damaged in normal use. The early models were made from a hardened plastic that was prone to failure (cracking). Great concept, poor execution. I will bet they will be back in another more durable, workable form down the road. Again they were pretty unique!

Ray Homiski
Elizabeth, NJ