Velotology’s educational series

Hello, Velotology Maniacs

Today, I present to you the first piece from Velotology’s educational series. The articles from this collection will shed light on less-known details and events in the cycling world. 

In the first post, I focus on interesting facts about Shimano – one of the core cycling companies.

Let’s go.

1. The First Shimano Product Was a Freewheel

Can you guess what was Shimano’s very first product? A shifter? A brake lever? A gear cable? 

No. 

Their first product was a single-speed bicycle freewheel which came to life in 1922. 

Please don’t mix freewheels and cassettes. A freewheel contains the ratcheting mechanism that allows the bike to coast (the rear wheel moving without the pedals rotating). A cassette does not come with a similar mechanism. Instead, the ratcheting system is in the rear hub. 

A freewheel may seem like a basic product, but its production requires advanced tech due to the low tolerance for error and the need for consistent accuracy during mass production.

2. Shimano Produced Golf Supplies Until 2004

When I first got into cycling, I was slightly surprised to learn that Shimano was also a manufacturer of fishing tools and accessories. But what shocked me even more is that they made golf supplies too.

Shimano enters the golf business in 1999. Two years later the company releases a golf driver under the name Ultegra. The designation is chosen strategically to indicate accuracy from far away. 

Due to the lower demand from amateur golfers and the enormous competition, Shimano abandons the golf sector in 2004. 

3. Before Making Index Shifters, Shimano Tried To Implement Indexed Derailleurs

Many educated cycling maniacs know that Shimano popularized indexed shifters. Shimano wasn’t the first to make them (that would be SunTour), but it was the first to render the system reliable. 

But before engineering SiS (Shimano Index System) as part of the shifter, Shimano attempted to introduce gear indexing via the rear derailleur in 1977 with the Positron technology. 

Positron had two major issues – it required extra cables and made the derailleur mechanism too complicated. 

However, it was a necessary step for the development of a better version in 1983 when the indexing tech was made more efficient and transferred to the shifter. The first group set with that extra was called 600EX (SiS).

4. The Most Expensive Shimano Rear Derailleur Is  Shimano XTR Di2 M9050 And Costs More Than Your Bike (Maybe)

Currently (2024), the most expensive Shimano rear derailleur on the market is the model XTR Di2 M9050. It’s designed for 11 speeds and costs between USD 600-800 depending on where you find it. That’s a lot of money for a derailleur. Honestly, most people ride bikes that cost less.

The main reason for its price is, of course, the integrated technology. It’s a super precise e-derailleur. For those who don’t know, electronic derailleurs have a motor controlled by the shifter. This particular model is advertised as ultra-fast, ultra-precise and ultra-reliable. 

On the other end of the spectrum, you find the 6/7-speed Shimano Tourney TZ500 derailleur. This is the cheapest Shimano derailleur that you can own and ranges from USD 10 to 15. Don’t let the price fool you. It’s a solid piece of equipment. I own one too. And many users leave positive feedback. For the price, it’s unbeatable. 

5. Shimano Made The First and Last Pedals Without an Axle

Standard pedals rotate around an axle that’s threaded into the crank arm. But in 1980, Shimano decided to try a new system and launched Dyna Drive. 

Dyna Drive were revolutionary pedals without an actual axle. They relied on fairly large circular bearings at the connection point to the cranks. 

The attachment mechanism requires special crank arms with extra large holes (25mm). 

The purpose of Dyna Drive pedals was to position the rider’s foot lower than it would be on a pedal with an axle. It was believed that this technology had a favorable effect on the rider’s biomechanics. 

The pedals were discontinued after about 4 years because they required customs cranks, offered questionable benefits from a practical standpoint and the bearings had a relatively short lifespan. 

Alexi Grewal is the most popular professional cyclist who used them. In 1984, he won a gold medal during the Olympics in Los Angeles with Dyna Drive under his feet. 

6. Shimano Pioneered Oval Chainrings

Have you heard of oval chainrings? 

Well, Shimano introduced them in 1983 under the brand name Biopace and produced them for 10 years. 

The purpose of oval chainrings is to reduce the stress on the knees and give the rider more leverage. 

Circular chainrings have the same radius (lever) at all points; oval/eclipse models have a “varying” radius. The longer radius increases the leverage that the chainring has and makes it easier to power through. 

At least, that’s the theory. 

Ultimately, the demand for oval chainrings has never been all that high. Many riders consider them pointless and disruptive of their natural pedaling stroke. 

7. Shimano’s 10-speed Road Derailleurs Can Be Combined With 6/7/8/9 MTB/Road Shifters

I am about to reveal a dirty secret of the industry…Ok, I am kidding, it’s not that spicy, but not many people know it. 

Here’s the deal – Shimano’s 10-speed road derailleurs have the same rear shift ratio as Shimano’s 6/7/8/9 MTB/road derailleurs. 

The rear shift ratio is 1.7:1. This means that the derailleur moves 1.7mm per 1mm pulled or released by the shifter.  

When two derailleurs have the same rear shift ratio (and the capacity to cover the cassette in question), they become interchangeable. 

If the rear shift ratios do not match, however, then the derailleur outside of the original system would move to the wrong part of the cassette and perform poorly. 

Some people use the information above when coming up with mixed drivetrains or when converting drop bars to flat or comfort handlebars. 

8. Shimano Filed a Patent For a Suspension system Controlled By Artificial Intelligence

In 2024, Shimano announced its plan to make a suspension system (including a dropper post) that will adapt to the rider’s preferences via AI (Artificial Intelligence). 

The suspension will be controlled by software making modifications according to the terrain and desired performance. If a change is not good, the rider will have the option to adjust it or eliminate it. 

Honestly, I am not a fan of AI. I think that people are trying way too hard to implement it everywhere because it’s the new great thing, allegedly. I don’t think bicycles truly need extra complications in the form of AI-controlled suspension. I understand that if we say no to all innovation, we will remain in the same place forever. 

But is this that bad when it comes to bicycles? 

I don’t think so.

Until next time

– ru