> Apparently there is a french company called Mavic Mektronic that
> makes an electronic gear change system for bikes with Derailleur
> type gears. Uses a push button on each handle bar, one for up, one
> for down shift - F1 paddle change style

I'd heard about something on the market but hadn't looked into
it too seriously, thanks for the link. I reckoned a couple of steppers
with worm gears could do it, kind of like machine heads on a guitar,
there's not that much tension in the wires

> see http://www.bikyle.com/mavic.asp Apparently uses the energy
> in the drive train to do the shift so they don't need large batteries
> and actuators. Not sure I would want one at that price though.

Exactly. There's "being a prat" and "being a prat with too much
money". Being able to do smooth transitions up through the gear
ratios isn't really the end of it in suburban cycling, but it would help
on a clear road

NZ$1500 ? Aye chihuahua

> A search gives lots of sites with reviews, which all seem to be
> glowing brightly :))

Parts of me used to glow brightly too ;-) Rudolph The Red-Nosed
Reindeer ? Ha, you amateur

What strange directions threads take

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