Abstract:
An electro mechanical bicycle derailleur actuator system, retrofittable to a bicycle having gearing and at least one derailleur, the derailleur having a cable, the system comprising: at least one derailleur actuator module (DAM) connectable to the bicycle and to the cable; a cyclist interface module (CIM) connectable to the bicycle for cyclist interface with the system; and a control and power module (CPM) connectable to the bicycle serving to control and power the system, wherein the bicycle gearing is shiftable by the system without derailleur cable modification.

Description:
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Embodiments of the current invention are related to the gearing and derailleur mechanism of a bicycle. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention are directed to an electro mechanical derailleur actuator system and method thereof. 
         [0002]    Bicycles are a well-established means for self transportation and for commuting. Since their introduction in the 19th century, bicycles have been widely accepted. Today they number about one billion worldwide, twice as many as automobiles. Bicycles are the principal means of transportation in many regions of the world. They also provide a popular form of recreation and sport, and a means of daily commuting to and from work. 
         [0003]    The advent of the bicycle has had a major impact on society, both in terms of culture and of advancing modern industrial methods. Several bicycle components have been adapted and have eventually played a key role in the development of the automobile. Examples include: ball bearings; pneumatic tires; chain-driven sprockets; spoke-tensioned wheels, etc. 
         [0004]    Reference is presently made to  FIG. 1 , which is a schematic side view of a prior art bicycle  10  having a frame  12 , and showing major typical components of the prior art bicycle.  FIG. 1  is introduced to generally define terms used in the specification and claims which follow. Frame  12  includes: handlebars  14 ; a cross bar  16 ; seat tube  18 ; a down tube  20 ; a seat stay  21 , and a chain stay  22 —all as indicated in the figure. Front and rear wheels  24  and  26 , respectively, are supported by the frame, as known in the art. Typically, prior art bicycle  10  travels with front and rear wheels touching the ground (not shown) defining the direction “down”, (ie. towards the ground) with the opposing direction defined as “up” (ie, away from the ground). The typical direction in which prior art bicycle advances is defined as “forward” with the opposing direction defined as “rear” or backward. 
         [0005]    A drive chain  30  (otherwise known as simply “chain”) typically engages a chainring  32 , which is driven by a crank arm  34 , as known in the art). A secondary chainring  33  may be engaged by drive chain  30 , as described hereinbelow. Some modern bicycles have more than one or two chainrings driven by the crank arm and the gear wheels are respectively engaged by the chain, as known in the art. Furthermore, although not shown in the figure, most modern bicycles have additional chainrings mounted on the axis of rear wheel  26 . Finally the terms “sprocket” and “gear wheel” may be interchanged and are equivalent with “chainring”. 
         [0006]    Chain  30  is displaced from chainring  32  to chainring  34  by the action of a front derailleur  35  as known in the art. Furthermore, chain  30  is displaced between/among the additional chainrings mounted on the axis (not shown in the figure) of rear wheel  26  by the action of a rear derailleur  36 , also as known in the art. An important aspect of modern bicycles is the “gears” or “gearing”—terms used in the specification and claims which follow intended to mean the configuration of the bicycle&#39;s gear wheels. Chain  30  interacts with the gears in a controlled manner, as known in the art, to enable a cyclist to maintain an approximately fixed pedaling speed while affording the cyclist a mechanical advantage versus the speed of the bicycle wheels (ie the speed of the bicycle on the terrain) and the cyclist/rider load. 
         [0007]    In the specification and claims which follow, the term “chaining” is intended to mean the controlled displacement of the chain from one gear wheel to another gear wheel, effecting “gear changing”, “gear shifting”, or “changing gears” on a bicycle. Chaining is typically accomplished by a biasing movement of a derailleur against the chain, to yield the controlled chain movement described hereinabove, as known in the art. The expression “cogset” is intended to mean in the specification and claims which follow a combination of chainrings, whether associated with the crank arm or the rear wheel, as known in the art. Therefore, it may be said that chaining is typically accomplished on a cogset with the aid of the derailleur. 
         [0008]    Typically, gear shifting is accomplished by means of a handlebar or stay-mounted shifter (not shown in the figure) having a cable  38  (for front derailleur  34 ) and a cable  39  (for rear derailleur  36 ), which serve to transfer the pull movement of the shifter to the respective derailleurs to shift gears, as known in the art. 
         [0009]    Prior art bicycle gear shifting involves no small amount of cyclist/rider attention, which can detract from the riding experience and can even pose a safety concern. Many producers have attempted to manufacture automatic or electrically assisted bicycle gear actuation systems, but only few have succeeded in partially addressing problems such as: integration; operation; size; reliability; performance; and weight—inter alia. 
         [0010]    One example of such prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 5,266,065 by Restelli, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. Restelli describes an automated bicycle transmission comprising an actuator for movement into predetermined positions of a sprocket change mechanism member moving to engage a chain for transmission of motion opposite a predetermined sprocket among a plurality of coaxial sprockets of different diameter. The actuator is controlled by an electronic control device to which is connected a plurality of sensors including a sensor for detection of bicycle speed, as sensor for longitudinal slope or inclination of the bicycle and optionally a sensor of stress transmitted by the cyclist to the pedals. Restelli&#39;s description focuses solely on the rear wheel/rear derailleur and he gives no details of the actuator mechanism employed. 
         [0011]    Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,969 by Watarai, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. A multispeed bicycle having a shifting apparatus operable by a single manual lever to actuate the front and rear derailleurs is described. The shifting apparatus includes two actuating mechanisms for actuating front and rear derailleurs, respectively, and a shift controller for controlling the actuating mechanisms. 
         [0012]    A third example is that of Ichida et al. In US patent application publications no. US 2008/0132364, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. Ichida describes an electric derailleur motor unit provided for a motorized derailleur assembly. The electric derailleur motor unit has a derailleur motor support, a derailleur motor, a drive train and an output shaft. The output shaft, inter alia, has an output gear engaged with a worm gear of the drive train shaft. 
         [0013]    The prior art cited generally addresses derailleur motor units or similar assisted shifting mechanisms using a worm gear. In all cases, the devices described are integral, meaning the bicycle employing the described devices must be either manufactured integrally and/or must have serious modifications made to a conventional bicycle-derailleur configuration to allow the devices to function correctly. One serious modification noted includes: cutting; shortening; rerouting; lengthening, removing; and replacing of the existing derailleur cable or cables. 
         [0014]    There is therefore a need for a reliable and simplified electro mechanical derailleur actuation system that can be readily retrofitted to existing conventional derailleur gear shifting configurations without cable modification. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided an electro mechanical bicycle derailleur actuator system, retrofittable to a bicycle having gearing and at least one derailleur, the derailleur having a cable, the system comprising: at least one derailleur actuator module (DAM) connectable to the bicycle and to the cable; a cyclist interface module (CIM) connectable to the bicycle for cyclist interface with the system; and a control and power module (CPM) connectable to the bicycle serving to control and power the system, wherein the bicycle gearing is shiftable by the system without derailleur cable modification. Preferably, derailleur cable modification includes one chosen from the list including: cutting; shortening; rerouting; lengthening, removing; and replacing of the cable. Most preferably, the at least one DAM further comprises: a mounting connectable to a stay of the bicycle and having positional adjustment in two degrees of freedom and a cable displacement unit (CDU) connectable to the mounting and the cable, the CDU having positional adjustment in a third degree of freedom. Typically, the CDU includes a motor having an axis, the motor adapted to drive a lead screw on which a rider is configured and wherein the rider is attachable to the cable, the rider adaptable to displace the cable to effect gear changes. Most typically, the CDU further includes an encoder attachable to the axis, the encoder adapted to provide feedback regarding cable displacement by the rider. 
         [0016]    Preferably, the CDU additionally includes means to: receive commands from the CPM; transfer information regarding cable displacement to the CPM; and receive power from the CPM. Most preferably, the CIM includes on board power and a means to transfer commands to the CPM including one chosen from the list including: wireless and wired. Typically, the CPM includes on-board power and wiring to transfer the power to the CDU and means to transfer commands to and receive information from the CDU. Typically, means to transfer commands and receive information to and receive information from the CDU includes one chosen from list including: wireless and wired. Most typically, the system is commandable to allow bicycle gear shifting not by the system. 
         [0017]    According to the teachings of the present invention there is further provided a method of retrofitting an electro mechanical bicycle derailleur actuator system to a bicycle having gearing and at least one derailleur the derailleur having a cable, the method comprising the steps of: connecting at least one derailleur actuator module (DAM) to the bicycle and to the cable; connecting a cyclist interface module (CIM) to the bicycle for cyclist interface with the system; and connecting a power module (CPM) to the bicycle serving to control and power the system, wherein the bicycle gearing is shifted by the system without derailleur cable modification. Preferably, derailleur cable modification includes one chosen from the list including: cutting; shortening; rerouting; lengthening, removing; and replacing of the cable. Most preferably, the at least one DAM further comprises: a mounting connected to a stay of the bicycle and having positional adjustment in two degrees of freedom and a cable displacement unit (CDU) connected to the mounting and the cable, the CDU having positional adjustment in a third degree of freedom. Typically, the CDU includes a motor having an axis, the motor driving a lead screw on which a rider is configured and wherein the rider is attached to the cable, the rider displacing the cable to effect gear changes. 
         [0018]    According to the teachings of the present invention there is further provided an electro mechanical bicycle derailleur actuator system connected to a bicycle having gearing and at least one derailleur, the derailleur having a cable, the system comprising: at least one derailleur actuator module (DAM) connectable to the bicycle and to the cable, the DAM comprising a rider to which the cable is attachable, the rider configurable onto a lead screw, the lead screw rotatable to displace the rider and the cable to effect gear changes, wherein the bicycle gearing is shiftable by the system. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND APPENDICES 
         [0019]    The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a schematic side view of a prior art bicycle having a frame, and showing major typical components of the prior art bicycle; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a schematic side view of the prior art bicycle shown in  FIG. 1  with an electro-mechanical actuator system installed thereupon, in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a pictorial representation of a derailleur actuator module (DAM) installed on the bicycle stay, in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 4A-C  are: a pictorial representation of the DAM of  FIG. 3  without the cover, a side view of the DAM without the cover, and a pictorial representation of the mounting of the cable displacement unit (CDU) of  FIG. 3 , respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a pictorial view of the cyclist interface module (CIM) of  FIG. 2  installed on the handlebar, in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a pictorial view of the control and power module (CPM) of  FIG. 2  installed on the down tube, in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart showing the interaction of components of the electro-mechanical actuator system of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    The current invention relates to gearing and derailleur mechanism of a bicycle. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention are directed to electro mechanical derailleur actuation and methods thereof. 
         [0028]    Reference is currently made to  FIG. 2 , which is a schematic side view of part of prior art bicycle  10  shown in  FIG. 1 , with an electro-mechanical actuator system  100  installed thereupon, in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention. Apart from differences described below, prior art bicycle  10  is identical in notation, configuration, and functionality to that shown in  FIG. 1 , and elements indicated by the same reference numerals and/or letters are generally identical in configuration, operation, and functionality as described hereinabove. Electro-mechanical actuator system  100  includes: a cyclist interface module (CIM)  105 , a control and power module (CPM)  110 , and derailleur actuator modules (DAM)  120  and  122 . Cyclist interface module (CIM)  105  is shown in the figure mounted to handlebars  14 , but may be alternatively or optionally mounted on down tube  20 . Details of the CIM and its functionality are further discussed hereinbelow. Control and power module (CIM)  110 , is typically mounted on down tube  20  and it has insulated power cables (not show in the figure) connecting it to derailleur actuator modules (DAM)  120  and  122 . The DAM&#39;s are mounted on down tube  20  and chain stay  22 , respectively, in the vicinity of front and rear derailleurs  34  and  36 , respectively. Respective DAM&#39;s are mechanically attached to cables  38  and  39 , as described hereinbelow. Alternatively or optionally, system  100  may employ only one DAM, however a more typical configuration is that of one DAM dedicated to one respective derailleur—yielding two DAM&#39;s for most bicycles employing two derailleurs. 
         [0029]    The descriptions hereinbelow discuss one DAM (specifically DAM  122 ), however it is understood that the following description is applicable to two DAM&#39;s, mutatis mutandis. 
         [0030]    Reference is currently made to  FIG. 3 , which is a pictorial representation of DAM  122  of  FIG. 2  installed on down tube  20  of bicycle  10 , in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention. Apart from differences described below, DAM  122  is identical in notation, configuration, and functionality to that shown in  FIG. 2 , and elements indicated by the same reference numerals and/or letters are generally identical in configuration, operation, and functionality as described hereinabove. DAM  122  includes: a cable displacement unit (CDU)  124  with a cover  125  in position; and CDU mounting  126 , which is mechanically secured to chain stay  22 . The CDU is mechanically attached to mounting. Details regarding CDU mounting  126  and the CDU follow hereinbelow. As previously noted, DAM  122  is positioned on stay  22  to enable connection of the DAM to cable  39 , as discussed hereinbelow. Although not shown in the figures, some bicycle configurations have cable  39  routed along seat stay  21  (instead of along chain stay  22  as shown in the figures). In such configurations, it would be appropriate to mount DAM  122  onto seat stay  21 , and the following description would be modified, substituting seat stay  21  for chain stay  22 , as appropriate. 
         [0031]    Reference is currently made to  FIGS. 4A-C , which are a pictorial representation of DAM  122  of  FIG. 3  without cover  125 , a side view of the DAM without CDU cover  125 , and a pictorial representation of CDU mounting  126  of  FIG. 3 , respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention. Apart from differences described below, DAM  122  is identical in notation, configuration, and functionality to that shown in  FIG. 3 , and elements indicated by the same reference numerals and/or letters are generally identical in configuration, operation, and functionality as described hereinabove. 
         [0032]    In viewing  FIGS. 4A-C , it can be seen that CDU  124  has a housing  130 , which is mechanically attached to the CDU mounting  126  through two vertically-elongated slots  132  in the CDU mounting. Two threaded bolts  136  pass through slots  132  from behind the CDU mounting and connect into holes  138  in the base of housing  130  thereby securing the housing to the mounting. It can be seen that by way of the slots, the housing may be adjusted in an up-and-down direction before being fixed in place. Furthermore, since slots  132  are formed with a dimension somewhat larger than the diameter of bolts  136 , a limited clockwise and/or counter-clockwise direction of adjustment is also afforded, before the housing is fixed in place by tightening the bolts. CDU mounting  126  is mechanically attached to chain stay  22  by two bands  139 . Further details regarding the CDU mounting follow hereinbelow. 
         [0033]    CDU  124  further includes an electric motor  140 , which is attached to a gear box  144 , which drives main gear  146 . Main gear  146  drives pinion  148 , which is mechanically attached to one end of lead screw  150 , as shown. The other end of lead screw  150  is fixed in position, but may rotate freely. Rider  152  rides along lead screw  150 , having a matched threading to that of the lead screw, as known in the art. As such, rider  152  moves from right to left and back, in response to motor  140  and resultant pinion  148  rotations. Rider  152  is formed to have an extended narrower surface  153 . A clamp surface  154 , which opposes narrower surface  153 , has a screw  156 , which passes through the clamp surface and is accepted into a threaded hole (not seen in the figure) in narrower surface  153 . When cable  39  is positioned between clamp surface  154  and narrower surface  153  and when screw  156  is tightened, the two surfaces are biased together against the cable, serving to mechanically fix the rider to cable  39 . In an embodiment of the current invention, screw  156  takes the form of a quick release screw, as know in the art, allowing the cable to be easily fixed and released, as necessary, without tools. It can be seen in  FIG. 4A  that extended narrower surface  153  passes through an elongated slot  158  in the upper surface of housing  130 , the slot allowing the rider to move left and right, thereby displacing mechanically fixed cable  39  left and right. 
         [0034]    Returning to housing  130 , it can further be seen that rotary encoder  160  is attached to an axis common to main gear  146 . Alternatively or optionally, rotary encoder may be positioned on the axis common to the main gear on the reverse side (not shown in the figure) of motor  140 . Rotary encoder  160  and encoder sensor may include technologies known in the art, such as, but not limited to: optical, IR, and magnetic. Rotary encoder  160  is read by encoder sensor  166 , as known in the art. Sensor information is fed back to the control and power module (CPM)  110  noted hereinabove in  FIG. 2  (and which is further described hereinbelow) to provide feedback and control of the motor rotation and resultant rider and clamp displacement of cable  39 . Cable harness  170  provides wiring (not shown in the figure) to the CDU from the CPM, the wiring which provides power and command and control signals to the motor. Cover  125  is held in position on housing  130  by threaded holes  172  in the housing, as known in the art. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 4C , CDU mounting  126  includes an L-shaped support bracket  200 , in which slots  132  are formed (as described hereinabove) and in which two elongated slots  212  are formed in the shorter leg of the L-shape. A back plate  210  is secured to the support bracket by two threaded bolts  214 . Back plate  210  is formed to have a shape generally matching that of stay  22  to allow a relatively snug fit of the back plate to stay  22  when bands  139  are tightened by tightening screws  220 . It can be seen that elongated slots  212 , allow support bracket  200  to be adjusted in the direction towards and away from stay  22  before the bracket is fixed in place. Furthermore, since slots  212  are formed with a dimension somewhat larger than the diameter of bolts  214 , a limited clockwise and/or counter-clockwise direction of adjustment is also afforded, before the bracket is fixed in place by tightening the bolts. Bands  139  may be completely released, to remove the mounting or to aid in retrofit (as described hereinbelow) by loosening tightening screws  220 . 
         [0036]    Attaching DAM  122  to Bicycle  10 —Retrofit Procedure 
         [0037]    An embodiment of the current invention employs the following retrofit procedure to attach DAM  122  to stay  22 , referring initially to  FIG. 4C , followed by  FIGS. 4A and 4B . It is again noted that while the following description refers to DAM  122  and to stay  22 , it is can be understood that the following description is likewise applicable to DAM  120 , stay  20 , and cable  38 , mutatis mutandis, as well as to attaching DAM  122  to seat stay  21 .
       1. Detach CDU mounting  126  completely from CDU  124  (ie. two threaded bolts  136  are loosened).   2. Loosen tightening screws  220  to release bands  139 .   3. Position the CDU mounting behind stay  22  as shown in the figure and route bands  139  around the stay and between the stay and cable  39 , reattaching the bands into back plate  210 . (In this way, the bands will circumvent only the stay and not the stay along with the cable—which is incorrect.)   4. Tighten screws  220  to tighten the bands and ensure a snug fit of back plate  210  onto stay  22 .   5. On CDU  124 , loosen screw  156  to allow a space between clamp surface  154  and narrower surface  152 .   6. Attach CDU  124  to CDU mounting  126  using two threaded bolts  136 . Partially tighten threaded bolts  136  and  214  to allow CDU  124  to be adjusted, as below.   7. Position cable  39  in the space between clamp surface  154  and narrower surface  152 . When the cable is in position, tighten screw  156  to fix cable  39  tightly between the two surfaces.   8. Adjust CDU  124  orientation to allow the clamp and narrower surfaces to move as collinearly as possible with cable  39 . This can be done by moving the CDU with regard to the CDU mounting, taking advantage of slots  132  and  212  (and their associated threaded bolts,  136  and  214 ). Slots  132  allow the CDU to be moved substantially perpendicular to the cable, up and down and/or rotated somewhat in the plane substantially parallel to wheels  24  and  26 . Slots  212  allow the CDU to be moved substantially perpendicular to the cable and parallel to the rear wheel axis, and/or rotated somewhat in the plane substantially parallel to the ground.
           After rechecking the movement of clamp and narrower surfaces  154  and  152  and cable  39  movement when the motor  140  is commanded to move the cable back and forth, make sure threaded bolts,  136  and  214  are tightened, thereby locking the position/orientation of the CDU in place.   
               
 
         [0047]    If it is desired to remove DAM  122  from bicycle  10 , follow the above steps in reverse. 
         [0048]    Reference is currently made to  FIG. 5 , which is a pictorial view of cyclist interface module (CIM)  130  installed on handlebar  14 , in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention. Apart from differences described below, CIM  130  is identical in notation, configuration, and functionality to that shown in  FIG. 2 , and elements indicated by the same reference numerals and/or letters are generally identical in configuration, operation, and functionality as described hereinabove. Essentially, CIM  130  provides user interface with system  100 . Elements of CIM  130  include: a connecting band  230 ; down and up control buttons  232  and  234 , respectively; front and rear derailleur rocker selector switch  236 ; a power button  238 ; an operation indicator  240 ; and a communications and power module (not shown in the figure) to provide on board power and to enable communications to and from the CIM, as described hereinbelow. Connecting band  230  connects the CIM to the handlebars and may have a configuration similar to that shown hereinabove for bands  139  in  FIGS. 4A-C . Down and up control buttons  232  and  234 , respectively, are used to command the system to shift a gear up or down. If the respective control button is pushed twice in succession (ie “down”, “down”), the command is to shift two gears down, etc. Front and rear derailleur rocker selector switch  236  is used to indicate to the system on which derailleur (ie front or rear) to shift gears. 
         [0049]    Power button  238  is used to activate and deactivate the system. When the system is deactivated, to use the bicycle in conventional, prior art gear shifting mode, clamp  154  is released (refer to  FIGS. 4A-C ) which releases cable  39 , thereby allowing the conventional operation of the cable and the derailleur. Pressing the power button to activate the system and reattaching clamp  154  to cable  39  allows system operation of gear shifting, as described hereinabove. 
         [0050]    An operation indicator  240  provides visual and/or audible feedback to indicate system operation. The CIM has on-board capability to transfer commands and receive feedback (ie “telemetry”) from control and power module (CPM)  110 . A preferred mode of transferring commands and receiving feedback to/from CIM  130  is by wireless means, although wired means (not shown in the figure) may optionally or alternatively be employed. Additional description of CIM  130  and system operation follows hereinbelow. 
         [0051]    Reference is currently made to  FIG. 6 , which is a pictorial view of CPM  110  of  FIG. 2 , installed on down tube  20 , in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention. Apart from differences described below, CPM  110  is identical in notation, configuration, and functionality to that shown in  FIG. 2 , and elements indicated by the same reference numerals and/or letters are generally identical in configuration, operation, and functionality as described hereinabove. While the following description refers to CPM  110  and to down tube  20 , it is can be understood that the following description is likewise applicable to the CPM being installed on seat tube  18  and cross bar  16 , mutatis mutandis. CPM  110  includes: connecting bands  305 ; a control and power module  310 ; and a control and power harness  320 . Connecting bands  305  connect the CPM to down tube  20  and may have a configuration similar to that shown hereinabove for bands  139  in  FIGS. 4A-C . Control and power module  310  includes communications and control electronics to allow CPM  110  to communicate with CIM  130  and with DAM&#39;s  120 ,  122  (as installed in the system) as further described hereinbelow, and a power source (not shown in the figure) to provide power for the CPM and the DAM&#39;s. The power source may be batteries, as known in the art. Control and power harness  320  connects with DAM&#39;s  120 ,  122  to provide both power and communications with the DAM&#39;s. Alternatively or optionally, communications with the DAM&#39;s may be by wireless means. Additional description of CPM  110  and how it interacts with components of system  100  and system operation follow hereinbelow. 
         [0052]    Reference is currently made to  FIG. 7 , which is a flow chart showing the interaction of components of electro-mechanical actuator system  100  of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention. Apart from differences described below, system  100  is identical in notation, configuration, and functionality to that shown in  FIG. 2 , and elements indicated by the same reference numerals and/or letters are generally identical in configuration, operation, and functionality as described hereinabove. 
         [0053]    CIM commands  410  include: wake up from standby/sleep  430  and; change gear command  440 . In step  430 , when any of the buttons or switches of the CIM are touched by the cyclist the system “wakes up”, meaning it terminates a standby power-conserving mode (described hereinbelow) and begins to operate in a normal power mode. In step  440 , a forward/rear derailleur is chosen and the command of shifting up or down is entered. One or more commands to shift may be entered. 
         [0054]    Control is currently transferred to the CPM and the DAM. CPM and DAM processing  445  includes: CPM registers new gear command  450 ; CPM commands DAM to shift one gear and decrement  460 ; check if the number of gear shifts is complete  470 ; and go to standby/sleep mode. Once one or more gear change commands have been given from the CIM in step  440 , the CPM erases previous gear commands and registers the near gear command/commands in step  450 . An exemplary gear command could be: front derailleur, shift up, twice (the “up” bottom of the CIM was pushed twice). A counter is initiated with the total number of gear shifts. In the specific example used herein, the counter initial value would be 2. 
         [0055]    In step  460 , the CPM then commands the DAM to shift one gear. The DAM proceeds to perform one gear shift. Shifting of a gear is verified by the DAM by sensors in the CDU (sensing cable tension and/or CDU motor/encoder status) and alternatively or optionally by sensors which may be located on a respective derailleur to feed back gear status. Gear shift status is transferred to the CPM from the DAM. The CPM then decrements the gear shift counter by one, in step  460 . 
         [0056]    In step  470 , the counter is checked to see if its value is not zero. A non-zero value indicates that not all of the gear shifts are complete and control is shifted to step  460 , for another gear shift. If the counter value is presently zero, indicative of completion of gear shifts, control is passed to step  480 . In step  480 , a timer is started and the system is then set to a power savings standby/sleep mode after a predetermined time without subsequent commands and control is returned back to step  430 , for the next cycle of gear shift commands from the CIM. The predetermined time may typically be 10 seconds, but a longer or shorter time interval may be programmed into the system. 
         [0057]    It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended only to serve as examples, and that many other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.