Hey Xbiking community,
This Hardrock frame is my next project build. I’m building it with XT M739 series components — but I don’t have a front derailleur. That’s actually good news, because I hate setting those things up.
The bad news is that I’ll have a left shifter (integrated into the brake lever) with nothing to do. I could remove it, but that leaves an awkward empty space (see photo #3).
The better news is that I’ve basically got a mechanism with three indexed positions that can pull a cable. So now I’m trying to come up with something fun or clever to do with it.
I’m reaching out to see what you guys can imagine for that lonely shift lever! It can be useful, funny, ridiculous, whatever — all ideas are welcome.
I’ve got a 3D printer and I’m decent with electronics, so feel free to get weird with your ideas — mechanical or electronic stuff is all fair game.
Cheers!
by phil_347
6 Comments
I’ve seen folks reassemble shifters without the ratchet and hook the cable up to a bell
Lever actuated bell is always a fun one. Or you could adapt a bell into the spot where the shifter used to be.
Maybe a thing that takes a dynamo on and off a wheel?
An on/off switch for lights?
Parking brake?
Dropper post lever?
You should just put those components aside and save them for a rainy day (when you realize that triples rule)
But honestly that group can be desirable. If you take it apart you’ll likely never put it back together, which is a shame
Slingsho trebuchet triggers.
Friction shifters work great for accessories because they pull a lot of cable. A three position one would require a lot more creativity. What if you kept it a triple and put three chainrings of all the same size on the front. 1X3X.Could be the next big thing.
I’ve never done this but dropper post lever would be both useful and neat.