Bike
The first in our new series of stuff that didn't quite make it.
A decade ago, Shimano introduced Dual Control. Typically with the Japanese manufacturer, they didn't do it quickly or lightly. But nevertheless, it flopped...
The idea was a on the face of things (if not technically speaking) a simple one; combine braking and shifting levers. The now slightly bulky looking brake lever could be pushed up and down to change gears.
Despite Shimano's trademark superb ergonomics and a surprisingly pleasing ease of use (apart from when things got a bit choppy) Dual Control never climbed the heights of popularity for a number of reasons.
- Think about the hundreds of small (and large!) inputs you make on a fast descent via the brake levers and shifters, sometimes with the precision of Aaron Gwin, sometimes with that of a startled dairy cow. Now imagine doing all that through one lever...
- The levers predicated a use of Shimano's then slightly under-powered hydraulic disc brakes. This caused all kinds of debate when it came to manufacturers speccing them as standard on bikes alongside non-Shimano kit.
- Ever broken a brake lever in a crash? Yeah, a pain isn't it... Now imagine that was your shifter too.
As with all our Glue Factory inductees though, we say hats off to Shimano. Ours is a young sport constantly evolving, particularly in terms of the technologies we depend upon. Sometimes greatness comes from the improbable. Sometimes it doesn't - welcome to the Glue Factory!
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