> Really, the springs are always steel, and steel is virtually immune from
> "creep yield".
>
> As with old autos, left resting on their suspension springs for many
> years. Barring severe rusting, the car won't be seen to have sacked-out
> springs years later. Valve springs endure even MUCH higher stresses when
> left fully compressed against the tip of a cam lobe.
>
> One concern, however, is for the cable housing system, modern versions of
> which can succomb to high compressive loadings enough to affect
> adjustment. This won't be caused by leaving the bike in low gear, UNLESS
> the shifter is left holding the derailer firmly against it's low-limit
> stop, in which case the cable tension can be many times the force that the
> derailer springs can ever effect upon the cable ((Indexed systems can
> thus be particularly vulnerable to the effects of an over-tight limit
> screw adjustment)).
>
> The modern cable housings, unlike traditional steel coils, rely on plastic
> to hold the longitudinal wires together as a composite columner support,
> so may yield length after long service. Also, modern housing end caps,
> either of plastic or with plastic inserts (used to allow more even
> compressive force among the 20 or so wires) are also subject to settling
> from prolonged compression, much exacerbated by leaving a shifter pulling
> the cable so tightly as to push on the derailer's low-limit screw.
>
> David "No shame in using off-topic consumables, right?" Snyder
> Auburn, CA usa
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "RALPH KIRBY" <spinningobjects@yahoo.com>
>>I was thinking that many of us go for a ride, come back and hang up or put
>>up our bikes
>> and leave the derailleurs in whatever gear they happen to be in when we
>> stop.
>> I wonder how many bikes are left hanging in the garage or in the back of
>> the pack, that may not get ridden for along time / years and are stuck in
>> low gear with the derailleur springs fully stretched. Not obsessing, just
>> an observation / heads up.