Electronic gear shifting facts for kids
Did you know that bicycles have changed a lot over time? The very first bicycle with pedals was invented in 1861. Later bikes became more complex, adding a drivetrain to help them move. Around the early 1900s, the first bicycle gearshift appeared, letting riders change between two speeds. Today, some bicycles use amazing electronic systems to shift gears!
Contents
How Bicycle Gears Work
Traditional Gear Shifting
Most bicycles use a system with special steel cables called 'bowdens'. These cables connect the levers on your handlebars to the gear shifters, also known as derailleurs, or even the brakes. When you pull or tap a lever, the bowden cable moves. This movement causes your bicycle to change gears. It's a mechanical system that relies on these cables to make things happen.
Electronic Gear Shifting
Electronic gear shifting is different because it doesn't use bowden cables. This system is digital, meaning it uses electronic signals instead of physical cables. A battery, usually hidden under the bike's frame, provides power to the system. This battery can last for about 1000 km before needing a recharge.
Tiny wires for data and power are hidden inside the bicycle's frame. These wires connect all the parts of the shifting system. Small electric motors, called servomotors, do the actual shifting. Both the gear shifter and the derailleur have these servomotors built in.
A smart microchip inside the derailleur helps it adjust itself. This means the system is very clever! It has its own logic to make sure the chain stays in place and doesn't fall off. You don't need to do much maintenance because the derailleur adjusts itself automatically using this microchip.
Why Choose Electronic Shifting?
Advantages of Electronic Gears
- Shift Faster: Gears change almost instantly.
- Easy to Shift: You just tap a button, no hard pushing needed.
- Self-Adjusting: The derailleur fixes itself, so you don't have to.
- Lighter Weight: The system can sometimes be lighter than traditional gears.
- Less Maintenance: Because it adjusts itself, it needs less looking after.
- More Comfortable: Shifting is smoother and easier on your hands.
Things to Consider
- Higher Price: Electronic shifting systems can cost over $2000.
- Battery Life: You need to remember to recharge the battery.
- Single Shift: Some systems only let you shift one gear at a time.
Who Makes Electronic Gears?
- Shimano: They make the Di2 Ultegra and Dura-Ace series, which have been around since 2009.
- Campagnolo: This company has been making electronic shifting systems since 2011.
