Anyone tried one of these? (Auto derailleur)

[The Pirate]

I recently found this online it's called Auto shift by landrider, it uses counterweights that are driven by a belt to automatically shift the rear derailleur, it sounds like a good idea for a HT with a shifter kit what do you guys think? https://m.ebay.com/itm/LANDRIDER-AUTOSHIFT-REAR-DERAILLEUR-DRIVE-BELT-BOLT-LAND-RIDER-GEAR-CHANGER-/182721835470?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20150519202348%26meid%3Db5124bf213c64b87ad1252ca75dd6cec%26pid%3D100408%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D182454301970&_trksid=p2056116.c100408.m2460

 

[JerboaJohn]

they've been around in one form or another, and aren't popular because at light to medium loads on the gears, they shift frequently making pedaling uncomfortable. you may want to stay in the same gear at times and it'll shift on you. I think some types still connect to your shifter and you can disable or limit it's range and there's adjustment for sensitivity

 

[crassius]

there were threads about them maybe 5 or so years ago

 

[The Pirate]

they've been around in one form or another, and aren't popular because at light to medium loads on the gears, they shift frequently making pedaling uncomfortable. you may want to stay in the same gear at times and it'll shift on you. I think some types still connect to your shifter and you can disable or limit it's range and there's adjustment for sensitivity

Yeah I kinda figured that but would wonder how smooth it would be run by an engine with the jackshaft kit with maybe some mods and adjustment

 

[FurryOnTheInside]

A derailleur takes time to shift gear, especially downshifting.
When you manually operate the shifter you easily preempt the change in speed and/or gradient to compensate for the time it takes to shift the chain to the next gear (except when you forget).
As far as I can see, with the Landrider every gear change would be late.

Also, when you run engine power through the chain it would be better to reduce power when you downshift before (or on the start of) hills so the chain has more freedom to move and the cassette and chain aren't damaged. We've all been stuck in a high gear trying to cycle up a steep hill when we've forgotten to downshift far enough for a sudden gradient, haven't we?
The land rider thing seems to be unsuitable because it will shift, or try to shift, while you are using full power, and while the chain is under the full load from the engine. I expect it to get stuck in a too high gear when the gradient changes suddenly, like a newbie mountain biker. Crunch crunch creak crunch... snap!

(IMHO without actually ever trying one)

 

[The Pirate]

A derailleur takes time to shift gear, especially downshifting.
When you manually operate the shifter you easily preempt the change in speed and/or gradient to compensate for the time it takes to shift the chain to the next gear (except when you forget).
As far as I can see, with the Landrider every gear change would be late.

Also, when you run engine power through the chain it would be better to reduce power when you downshift before (or on the start of) hills so the chain has more freedom to move and the cassette and chain aren't damaged. We've all been stuck in a high gear trying to cycle up a steep hill when we've forgotten to downshift far enough for a sudden gradient, haven't we?
The land rider thing seems to be unsuitable because it will shift, or try to shift, while you are using full power, and while the chain is under the full load from the engine. I expect it to get stuck in a too high gear when the gradient changes suddenly, like a newbie mountain biker. Crunch crunch creak crunch... snap!

(IMHO without actually ever trying one)

That's a very good point the device uses only wheelspeed to determine ratios imperfect shifting not being a serious issue in itself (Auto cars being a good example) but the resulting issues as you mentioned like the chain jumping and incorrectly shifting causing possible damage to cassette and chain, What about using a similar device (flywheight governer) on a device with almost seamless shifting like a nu Vinci hub or even a gearhub, the latter possibly having similar problems

 

[FurryOnTheInside]

That's a very good point the device uses only wheelspeed to determine ratios imperfect shifting not being a serious issue in itself (Auto cars being a good example) but the resulting issues as you mentioned like the chain jumping and incorrectly shifting causing possible damage to cassette and chain, What about using a similar device (flywheight governer) on a device with almost seamless shifting like a nu Vinci hub or even a gearhub, the latter possibly having similar problems

Yes the instant shifting and shifting under full load makes the nuVinci definitely a more attractive idea. If you can make it work (nuVinci has up and down cables, not down cable vs a return spring) with the Landrider it would solve my biggest worry about it.

Then I would just move on to complaining that this would be a f* of a lot of money to spend on something my thumb already does for free lol!

 

[The Pirate]

Yes the instant shifting and shifting under full load makes the nuVinci definitely a more attractive idea. If you can make it work (nuVinci has up and down cables, not down cable vs a return spring) with the Landrider it would solve my biggest worry about it.

Then I would just move on to complaining that this would be a f* of a lot of money to spend on something my thumb already does for free lol!

Yeah I think it's something I'd do just for the novelty more than anything else if you already have a nuVinci then it's just a matter of finding the cheapest landrider derailleur on eBay and fabracobling the flywieght part to fit

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

I recently found this online it's called Auto shift by landrider, it uses counterweights that are driven by a belt to automatically shift the rear derailleur, it sounds like a good idea for a HT with a shifter kit what do you guys think? https://m.ebay.com/itm/LANDRIDER-AUTOSHIFT-REAR-DERAILLEUR-DRIVE-BELT-BOLT-LAND-RIDER-GEAR-CHANGER-/182721835470?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20150519202348%26meid%3Db5124bf213c64b87ad1252ca75dd6cec%26pid%3D100408%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D182454301970&_trksid=p2056116.c100408.m2460
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Sorry I wasn't back on the forum at the time. Been riding my LandRider for many years now. It shift 7 engine driven gears automatically.

 

[NKAWTG]

Need advice: I’ve had a Landrider for 16 years. I’m ISO the rear derailleur carbon-fiber belt. I was able to copy the following off the belt: Gates 3M450. Any idea where to get a replacement?