Feeling shiftless? Try Shimano's automatic bike transmission
Shimano has begun selling a new automatic-shift bicycle gearing system--but these gears aren't for gearheads.
Shimano's Coasting automatic transmission
(Credit: Shimano)Instead, Shimano's Coasting system is designed for the easily daunted cyclist. The three-speed transmission works on flat or flattish terrain. It includes a built-in coaster brake--the kind where you backpedal to slow the bike--because Shimano found that a lot of people were intimidated by those crazy handlebar-mounted brake levers.
I'm not in the target market, but after a test ride I concluded the Shimano's automatic bike transmission has merit. The biggest hitch is that a bike costs $450 to $700--potentially somewhat steep, given that the competition is likely a cheapo single-speed cruiser or no bike at all.
Stephen Shankland writes about a wide range of technology and products, but has a particular focus on browsers and digital photography. He joined CNET News in 1998 and since then also has covered Google, Yahoo, servers, supercomputing, Linux and open-source software, and science. E-mail Stephen, or follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/stshank.
People, perhaps like me, over 60 years old, remebering the fun it was to ride a bike in childhood, with brakes on the foot pedals and not having to shift. Bikes you sat comfortably upright on that frequently left a hand free.
People in the US are fat and really do need to exercise more, plus the 'green' movement gives us the inclination to bike to do many daily chores.
This innovation, the Shimano automatic bike transmission, and the foot coaster brake, allows us the freedom, fun, and exercise that we would relish in our lives.
There was a bike, advertised on tv, that did 'automatic shifting'. It was a complete failure, from what I have researched. But a lot of people purchased it, in the hopes it would work. So there is a onsumer base for this sort of bike.
Now, I have found this Shimano transmission on the
'Giant Suede Coasting Bike' and the 'Trek Lime'.
I hope that these manufacturers, with good reputations, will deliver a reliable product.
My spouse and I plan to move shortly and will purchase two of these if the reviews are good by that time.
People, perhaps like me, over 60 years old, remebering the fun it was to ride a bike in childhood, with brakes on the foot pedals and not having to shift. Bikes you sat comfortably upright on that frequently left a hand free.
People in the US are fat and really do need to exercise more, plus the 'green' movement gives us the inclination to bike to do many daily chores.
This innovation, the Shimano automatic bike transmission, and the foot coaster brake, allows us the freedom, fun, and exercise that we would relish in our lives.
There was a bike, advertised on tv, that did 'automatic shifting'. It was a complete failure, from what I have researched. But a lot of people purchased it, in the hopes it would work. So there is a onsumer base for this sort of bike.
Now, I have found this Shimano transmission on the
'Giant Suede Coasting Bike' and the 'Trek Lime'.
I hope that these manufacturers, with good reputations, will deliver a reliable product.
My spouse and I plan to move shortly and will purchase two of these if the reviews are good by that time.