Which Japanese manufacturer introduced indexed shifting via SIS in 1984 on the DURA-ACE 7400?
Answer
Shimano.
The entire paradigm of gear shifting changed fundamentally with the arrival of indexed shifting in the late 1980s, spearheaded by the Japanese manufacturer Shimano. In 1984, Shimano released its Shimano Index System (SIS), most prominently featured on their high-end DURA-ACE 7400 series. Indexing meant that the shifter engaged a pre-set position, denoted by a distinct click, compelling the derailleur to move a measured distance and place the chain precisely onto the next cog, thus eliminating the guesswork associated with earlier friction-based systems.
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