Bicycles with electronic shifting systems and methods
Electronic shifting systems, mechanisms and methods of using and/or controlling the systems to operate a bicycle that allows front and rear gear changer mechanisms to be controlled with only two switches. The switches can be arranged so that each hand is only required to operate one switch to shift the bicycle.
1. An electronic shifting system for a bicycle, comprising:
a first shift unit including:
a first brake support,
a first brake lever pivotally mounted to the first brake support, and
a first switch mechanism mounted to the first brake support;
a second shift unit including:
a second brake support, the first and second brake supports configured to be mounted separately to a bicycle handlebar,
a second brake lever pivotally mounted to the second brake support, and
a second switch mechanism mounted to the second brake support; and
a control unit in communication with and responsive to first and second signals from the first and second switch mechanisms, respectively,
wherein actuating the first switch mechanism sends the first signal to the control unit which is configured, in response to receiving the first signal and an absence of the second signal, to send a first command signal to a rear gear shift mechanism to perform an upshift, and wherein actuating the second switch mechanism sends the second signal to the control unit which is configured, in response to receiving the second signal and an absence of the first signal, to send a second command signal to the rear gear shift mechanism to perform a downshift.
2. The electronic shifting system of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second shift units comprises a wireless communication link.
3. The electronic shifting system of claim 1 , wherein upon release of the first switch mechanism or the second switch mechanism, the first or second signal is sent to the control unit.
4. The electronic shifting system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second brake levers are configured to be actuated without operating the first and second switch mechanisms, respectively.
5. An electronic shifting system for a bicycle, comprising:
a first shift unit including:
a first brake support,
a first brake lever pivotally mounted to the first brake support, and
a first switch mechanism mounted to the first brake support;
a second shift unit including:
a second brake support, the first and second brake supports configured to be mounted separately to a bicycle handlebar,
a second brake lever pivotally mounted to the second brake support, and
a second switch mechanism mounted to the second brake support; and
a control unit in communication with and responsive to first and second signals from the first and second switch mechanisms, respectively,
wherein actuating the first switch mechanism and second switch mechanism concurrently sends the first and second signals to the control unit which is configured, in response to the first and second signals, to send a front shift command signal to a front gear shift mechanism to perform a front gear shift operation.
6. The electronic shifting system of claim 5 , wherein each of the first and second shift units comprises a wireless communication link.
7. The electronic shifting system of claim 5 , wherein upon release of the first switch mechanism or the second switch mechanism, the first or second signal is sent to the control unit.
8. The electronic shifting system of claim 5 , wherein the first and second brake levers are configured to be actuated without operating the first and second switch mechanisms, respectively.