| Title: | Bicycling | 
| Notice: | Bicycling for Fun | 
| Moderator: | JAMIN::WASSER | 
| Created: | Mon Apr 14 1986 | 
| Last Modified: | Fri Jun 06 1997 | 
| Last Successful Update: | Fri Jun 06 1997 | 
| Number of topics: | 3214 | 
| Total number of notes: | 31946 | 
    	Shimano has developed a prototype compact front shifting
    	crankset, labeled the FM-5, that features five different
    	gear ratios within a small chainring-shaped gearbox. By
    	combining the five-gear front shifter with next year's
    	expected seven-speed Deore XT rear SIS system, you may be
    	able to select from 35 speeds! However, the FM-5 is not a
    	derailleur, because it doesn't derail the chain. Activated
    	by a normal-style thumb shifter, it does all its shifting
    	by engaging and disengaging shifting dogs that lock in
    	selected gears. When the rider clicks the thumb shifter to
    	the next gear, a spring-loaded pawl is moved into one of 5
    	gear combinations. Shifting can be done even when sitting
    	still, because the pawl and dog shift system is meshed in-
    	stantly with the next forward chain movement. Shimano en-
    	gineers designed it for the massive Japanese domestic city
    	bike market. The prototype is not available in the U.S.A.
    							      Mike
        
| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 698.1 | 175 speeds? | BANZAI::FISHER | Keep 'em rollin' | Fri Jun 03 1988 05:38 | 9 | 
| I know a hacker who would put that on in together with a 5 speed freehweel and a 5 speed sturmy archer hub, let's see, that's 5 times 5 times 5 times 5 -- no got carried away 5 * 5 * 5 -- 125 speed bike. I can see it now, "which one do I use for flat to lightly rolling, with a small dog chasing?" ed | |||||