Lance's shifters in stages 12 & 13: STI/downtube/mix

[John Everett]

On 18 Jul 2004 13:08:12 -0700, [email protected] (shadan ardalan) wrote:

>anyway, in pics from stage 13, i noticed that Lance's handlebars had
>the STI brake lever/shifter on the right side and just the brake lever
>on the left side (and zooming in for closer inspection confirmed that
>there was a downtube shifter on the right side).

Every year at about this time someone notices this setup. It's far
from new. Check out this picture of Andy Hampsten winning Alpe d'Huez
in 1992.

http://www.first-contact.demon.co.uk/cycling3/hampsten1.html


jeverett3<AT>earthlink<DOT>net http://home.earthlink.net/~jeverett3

 

[Qwerty Uiop]

Towards the end of today's stage 15 Armstrong was riding up the hill on the
big chainring and big sprocket whereas almost everyone else in the group was
on the small chainring. This meant he could shift into top gear quicker for
the sprint to the finish. A down tube lever means you can get rid of the
chain rub that would otherwise occur with STI. I presume it works well 'cos
he won!

 

[S o r n i]

Qwerty Uiop wrote:
> Towards the end of today's stage 15 Armstrong was riding up the hill
> on the big chainring and big sprocket whereas almost everyone else in
> the group was on the small chainring.

Cross-chaining newb!

Bill "he'll learn" S.

 

[John Forrest Tomlinson]

On Tue, 20 Jul 2004 16:57:31 GMT, John Everett
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On 18 Jul 2004 13:08:12 -0700, [email protected] (shadan ardalan) wrote:
>
>>anyway, in pics from stage 13, i noticed that Lance's handlebars had
>>the STI brake lever/shifter on the right side and just the brake lever
>>on the left side (and zooming in for closer inspection confirmed that
>>there was a downtube shifter on the right side).
>
>Every year at about this time someone notices this setup. It's far
>from new. Check out this picture of Andy Hampsten winning Alpe d'Huez
>in 1992.
>
>http://www.first-contact.demon.co.uk/cycling3/hampsten1.html
>

I've ridden with that setup since I got STI. THe first time was
because I was lazy and just didn't get around to putting the left
shifter on.

JT

 

[Qwerty Uiop]

> Cross-chaining newb!

I expect he's not too bothered about chain wear!