What was the primary mechanical weakness of early derailleur designs before reliable indexing arrived?
Answer
Lack of mechanical assurance to hold a specific position without constant manual tensioning
Early derailleur systems, even with levers or knobs, lacked the consistent mechanical assurance needed to hold the chain precisely on the desired sprocket without the rider actively maintaining cable tension.
Related Questions
What determined the position of the derailleur in friction shifting systems?What is the defining feature of modern drivetrains that moved past earlier friction adjustments?How did indexed shifting solve the problem of inconsistent cable tension?Which Shimano system is often credited with popularizing reliable indexed shifting by matching all drivetrain parts?What significant innovation combined braking and shifting functions into a single unit mounted on the brake hood?What was the primary mechanical weakness of early derailleur designs before reliable indexing arrived?Which concept generally preceded the specific form factor of integrated brake/shifter levers?According to the comparison table, what characterized the rider feel of friction shifting?What mechanical realization is identified as the core technological leap defining modern cycling performance over friction control?What type of development showed that the idea of indexing was not centralized in one corporate R&D department?