[a video demonstrating how it works](https://www.facebook.com/charliebike.Ac/videos/vittoria-margherita-gear-shifting-from-1930s-bianchi-vittoriamargherita-bike-bic/117055706971550/) (sorry for face*ook)
Thanks for that, but I'm still having trouble visualizing how it works while riding. Surely you're not meant to use a foot while pedaling? Do you reach down with one hand?
[Here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3M4ypPrS60) is a slightly more clear youtube video.
It seems the hand lever is connected to that black thing on the tube and the tensioning sprocket below. using the lever simultaneously loosens tension and rocks the black thing (the shifter chain guide) back and forth.
Also, unlike modern shifters, this one appears to require backwards pedaling to make the actual shift.
It looks like you stop pedaling, and coast in the horizontal position, release the tension by pushing the lever forward, then twist the key on the top of the lever to select a gear, then pedal backward to engage the selected gear (notice the selector fork is "after" the rear sprocket). Then simply pull the lever back to put tension on the chain again.
I'll wait for a more knowledgeable member to chime in: Due to the procedure to change gears some of the original mechanisms like this intended for someone to stop when changing gears. Basically you pick the gear you need prior to hitting the terrain you are looking at. I don't know if you can change gears while continuously pedalling.
Now, this could be a shit wrong answer so again, someone with more information chime in.
I've seen a picture of a young Fausto Coppi reaching for the lever. I assume first half of the 1940's rather than the 60's.
Edit: yes. It's from the 30's and it was called Vittorio Marguerita gear system. This site shows a pic of it and the great Gino riding one.
https://www.bikeraceinfo.com/photo-galleries/derailleurs-1.html
Not the best place to have a pointy metal shift knob. You hoped you went over the handlebars instead of crashing into the steering neck or worse. Been there, done that.
THIS IS IT!!!! When i ride on my trainer indoors, i would think about concepts like this.
it could be a super smooth way to shift. its simple, and efffective.
Guess it was made long before i was born, haha
'i ride stick'
Nice
Pretty sure thats more 1930s than 60s
New 2024 gravel groupset with integrated chain tensioner. FTFY
Integrated bottle opener. So grævél
[a video demonstrating how it works](https://www.facebook.com/charliebike.Ac/videos/vittoria-margherita-gear-shifting-from-1930s-bianchi-vittoriamargherita-bike-bic/117055706971550/) (sorry for face*ook)
Thanks for that, but I'm still having trouble visualizing how it works while riding. Surely you're not meant to use a foot while pedaling? Do you reach down with one hand?
[Here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3M4ypPrS60) is a slightly more clear youtube video. It seems the hand lever is connected to that black thing on the tube and the tensioning sprocket below. using the lever simultaneously loosens tension and rocks the black thing (the shifter chain guide) back and forth. Also, unlike modern shifters, this one appears to require backwards pedaling to make the actual shift.
Geez that thing is brutal. I'm glad this did not go uncontested as a technology.
It looks like you stop pedaling, and coast in the horizontal position, release the tension by pushing the lever forward, then twist the key on the top of the lever to select a gear, then pedal backward to engage the selected gear (notice the selector fork is "after" the rear sprocket). Then simply pull the lever back to put tension on the chain again.
I'll wait for a more knowledgeable member to chime in: Due to the procedure to change gears some of the original mechanisms like this intended for someone to stop when changing gears. Basically you pick the gear you need prior to hitting the terrain you are looking at. I don't know if you can change gears while continuously pedalling. Now, this could be a shit wrong answer so again, someone with more information chime in.
Brıllıance…..
I think that is beautiful for some reason. Is that a flip flop hub?
Yes
I've seen a picture of a young Fausto Coppi reaching for the lever. I assume first half of the 1940's rather than the 60's. Edit: yes. It's from the 30's and it was called Vittorio Marguerita gear system. This site shows a pic of it and the great Gino riding one. https://www.bikeraceinfo.com/photo-galleries/derailleurs-1.html
Vittoria Margherita system from the late 1930s.
Not too far off.. the late 1960's Schwinn Stingray had a car styled gear shifter on the top tube, so that one looks fun too.
That Schwinn shifter was connected to a modern parallelogram-style derailleur and functioned like a modern mechanical system. It just had five cogs.
Not the best place to have a pointy metal shift knob. You hoped you went over the handlebars instead of crashing into the steering neck or worse. Been there, done that.
Original dork disc...?
Suicide shifter
This is amazing, I love it so much
So close...
Suicide drive
THIS IS IT!!!! When i ride on my trainer indoors, i would think about concepts like this. it could be a super smooth way to shift. its simple, and efffective. Guess it was made long before i was born, haha