Re: Thoughts on industrial design

Catrike Ryder <Soloman@old.bikers.org> wrote:

On 28 Apr 2025 16:47:54 GMT, Roger Merriman <roger@sarlet.com> wrote:
 

Catrike Ryder <Soloman@old.bikers.org> wrote:

On 28 Apr 2025 08:57:30 GMT, Roger Merriman <roger@sarlet.com> wrote:
 

Frank Krygowski <frkrygow@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

On 4/27/2025 2:32 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:

On Sun, 27 Apr 2025 09:47:23 -0500, AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote:
 

He did dump the slushbox for an actual gearbox, which is nice.

 
Yep.  I looked around for a stick shift model.  Except for my first
car, all have been stick shifts.  Driving an automatic makes me feel
like I'm the passenger instead of the driver.  With a stick shift, I'm
part of the machine.  If I live long enough to need a new car, it will
probably be another stick shift.

 
I got in a conversation with a Tesla owner last week. He proudly showed
me a video shot from his driver's seat showing the car self-driving from
his garage to a coffee shop. The ultimate non-driving experience!

 
Arguably Teslas are very much the IT company idea of car, folks who want to
experience driving aren?t likely to be their customers, lane assist seems
to help on motorways and similar.
 
I?m unconvinced that self driving will fully get there I?m told that Tesla
isn?t the best in this category.

 
I've never owned a car with automatic transmission. Of course, my
current EV has only one fixed ratio reduction gear, so I've moved beyond
playing with multiple ratios. Just step on the gas ... no, throttle ...
no, accelerator, and it goes.
 
Half of my bikes are friction shifting, which is a vaguely similar issue
for discussion.
 

I?d say that be more fixed bikes which are more into ?feel the force Luke?
in that they do feel very different and connected, vs index or fixed
shifting.
 
Roger Merriman
 

 
Perhaps the clutch and stick shifts are better for noisy acceleration
with squealing tires, but I outgrew that long ago. On the other hand,
for driving in heavy stop and go traffic I favor the automatic
transmission. As for preference, it's not a factor my wife and I would
even contemplate when buying a vehicle since we both are comfortable
with either one.

 
For my uses though my car is an automatic, which aren’t that common in the
uk, but does make for an easy comfortable car, which is kinda of its
purpose.
 
I’d say a EV is likely to be the easiest in stop start traffic, as doesn’t
need to shift.
 
I marginally would like a manual for more engine braking when in Wales as
they do steep, but the Volvos have much more impressive brakes than cars or
old so seems to be non issue.
 
Related the gorge I grew up in, used to see lorries in the sand pit often
on fire as they had cooked the brakes, doesn’t seem to be a thing now.

 
As for shifting on a bicycle, it's strictly personal preference and
not worth discussing.
 

I disagree this being a bike tech group well worth discussion even if it is
just preference.

--
C'est bon
Soloman
 

 
Roger Merriman

 
Very few, perhaps, no-one is going to change their minds about their
bicycling preferences in a forum of old, long-time bicyclists. Arguing
that "my way" is better than "your way" is irritating.
 
--
C'est bon
Soloman
 

I don’t think anyone is trying to change folks opinion or habits, but might
share experience and knowledge on different technologies, you’re definitely
over thinking this.

Roger Merriman