Auto-shifting bicycle takes some getting used to
September 23, 2007My employer has started a program where they put up a couple bike racks near several of our downtown buildings. You sign up for the program, get a free helmet, and an electronic card that lets you check out the bikes for up to a 24-hour period.
I finally got around to trying them out a couple times last week, just lunchtime rides to get a little exercise. And while the electronic card system could use some tweak, I thought the bikes themselves were pretty cool. Once you get the auto-shifting and the back-pedal braking figured out.
First the electronic cards–the bike rack is supposed to “know” which bikes are attached. So you put in your card, and then type in the number of which bike you want to borrow. However, sometimes the computer does not “see” the bike, so even though you type in bike #24, the rack may not release the bike because it claims the bike is not there. So then you have to pick another number until you find one that the rack does recognize. I had to go thru three bikes before I could find one that it would release.
The bikes are Trek Limes, which were specifically chosen because they’re aimed at the more casual rider. In essence what some call a “comfort” bike. Part of that is the automatic 3-speed shifter. Depending on your pedal speed, it shifts up or down to accomodate.
I wish though it would warn you before shifting. Like a little bell or something. Because you’re pedaling along and suddenly the pedal effort changes substantially, either much easier or much more difficult depending on which way it’s shifting. Plus it’s only 3 speeds so you’re kinda limited. Pedaling up a steep incline is out of the question unless you’ve got the legs of Lance Armstrong. And on the other side, you can’t get very fast because there’s not a high enough gear.
The other weirdness is that, again in a concession to people who don’t normally ride bikes, there’s no hand brakes. Instead you brake the way you might on a kid’s bike–you just pedal backwards a little bit to engage the brake. I found it difficult especially when you need to come to a complete stop on an incline. Like at a stop sign. I missed having hand brakes so that I could put my feet on the ground and still squeeze the brakes to keep the bike stationary.
Still, I like that I don’t have to bring my own bike anymore if I want to do a lunchtime ride. I’m definitely going to keep using these bikes. I just hope they can get the bugs worked out of the electronic locking system.