Optical gear display

[Tynan]

why would you need to know?

unless you're a rather serious rider, it's not like it takes longer than a second to look anyway

 

[HLaB]

My Dura Ace 7800 groupset came with a neat optical display that fits nicely on the gear cable next to the levers.

You boys are good if you can feel 2 cassette teeth

I can usually tell if I'm in too large or too small a gear but thats about it and the problem for me is when I'm in the one before the Big-Big combo which I want to avoid!

 

[the_mikey]

I always know what gear I'm in.
** being elitist **

Single speed?

 

[youngoldbloke]

I don't understand how an optical display helps. I change gear when my legs tell me to. To maintain or change cadence and speed, and to accomodate changes in road or riding conditions. Legs do know the difference of 2 teeth on a rear sprocket. How do you change gear using a an optical display? If you don't know which chainring you are in, glance down. (You don't have one in a car either - unless you use the rev counter - I suppose you could use a cadence meter on a bike).

 

[Roadkill]

Sorry I wasn't advocating the use of it just saying that I do use it and it came with an expensive gs (per point made by OP)....

I agree that there's very little difference between looking at your bars and looking at your cassette and I do both as the mood takes me

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Your legs tell you what gear you are in. If you really are unsure a quick glance back at the cassette or down at the chainrings should help.

+1

 

[gaz]

Single speed?

Yes and no.

 

[NormanD]

Dammit I thought they were directional indicators, now I know to ignore them (which I do already)

 

[byegad]

I don't feel the need. An idea where the bar end changer sits for top and bottom gear is all I need. After all the miles I've done with them the gears almost seem to change themselves anyway. It's that instinctive.

 

[Rob3rt]

My tiagra groupset has some gear indication visible on the top, I never look at it. I did look at it in my flat while fiddling with the gears when I 1st bought the bike, I concluded that it didnt really tell me anything. Havent looked at it since.