Patent Publication Number: US-10780948-B2

Title: Bicycle operating device

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     This disclosure generally relates to a bicycle operating device that is used to operate a bicycle component. 
     Background Information 
     Bicycles are typically provided with one or more bicycle operating devices for operating one or more bicycle components. The bicycle operating devices can be mechanically, electrically, hydraulically, pneumatically connected to the bicycle component(s). Often, these bicycle operating devices have a plurality of predetermined positions that correspond to different settings, adjustments or positions of a bicycle component that is being operated. A conventional bicycle operating device can include a base, a positioning structure for selectively establishing the predetermined positions and one or more user operated inputs (operating members) to select one of the predetermined positions. 
     SUMMARY 
     Generally, the present disclosure is directed to various features of a bicycle operating device. In one feature, a bicycle operating device is provided that can be more compact as compared to a similar conventional bicycle operating device. 
     In view of the state of the known technology and in accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a bicycle operating device is provided that basically comprises a base, a pulling pawl, a positioning ratchet and a positioning pawl. The pulling pawl includes a first contact part and a second contact part that is spaced apart from the first contact part. The positioning ratchet is movably disposed with respect to the base in a first direction and a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. The positioning pawl is movably disposed with respect to the base between a holding position and a releasing position. The positioning pawl engages the positioning ratchet to selectively establish a plurality of predetermined positions of the positioning ratchet with respect to the base while the positioning pawl is in the holding position. The positioning pawl is disengaged from the positioning ratchet to permit the positioning ratchet to move with respect to the base in the second direction while the positioning pawl is in the releasing position. The first contact part of the pulling pawl is configured to contact the positioning ratchet to move the positioning ratchet during movement of the positioning ratchet in the first direction from a first predetermined position of the predetermined positions. The second contact part of the pulling pawl is configured to contact the positioning ratchet to move the positioning ratchet during movement of the positioning ratchet in the first direction from a second predetermined position of the predetermined positions. The first predetermined position is different from the second predetermined position. 
     With the bicycle operating device according to the first aspect, it is possible to have many ratchet positions while still maintaining a compact overall size of the bicycle operating device. 
     In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, the bicycle operating device according to the first aspect is configured so that the second contact part is configured to not contact the positioning ratchet during movement of the positioning ratchet in the first direction from the first predetermined position. 
     With the bicycle operating device according to the second aspect, it is possible to have the pulling pawl and the positioning pawl. 
     In accordance with a third aspect of the present disclosure, the bicycle operating device according to the first or second aspect is configured so that the first contact part is configured to not contact the positioning ratchet during movement of the positioning ratchet in the first direction from the second predetermined position. 
     With the bicycle operating device according to the third aspect, it is possible to have the pulling pawl and the positioning pawl. 
     In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the bicycle operating device according to any one of the first to third aspects is configured so that the first contact part and the second contact part are configured to both contact the positioning ratchet during movement of the positioning ratchet in the first direction from a third predetermined position of the predetermined positions. The third predetermined position is different from the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position. 
     With the bicycle operating device according to the fourth aspect, it is possible to have the pulling pawl and the positioning pawl. 
     In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the bicycle operating device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects is configured so that the first contact part is configured to contact a first ratchet tooth of a plurality of ratchet teeth of the positioning ratchet during movement of the positioning ratchet in the first direction from the first predetermined position. The second contact part is configured to contact a second ratchet tooth of the ratchet teeth during movement of the positioning ratchet in the first direction from the second predetermined position. The first ratchet tooth is different from the second ratchet tooth. The first contact part and the second contact part are each configured to contact one of the ratchet teeth of the positioning ratchet during movement of the positioning ratchet in the first direction from a third predetermined position of the predetermined positions. The third predetermined position is different from the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position. 
     With the bicycle operating device according to the fifth aspect, it is possible to have the pulling pawl and the positioning pawl perform multiple functions. 
     In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the bicycle operating device according to the fifth aspect is configured so that the second ratchet tooth is next to the first ratchet tooth. 
     With the bicycle operating device according to the sixth aspect, it is possible to sequentially establish the ratchet positions of the positioning ratchet. 
     In accordance with a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the bicycle operating device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects is configured so that the first contact part is configured to be positioned between two of a plurality of ratchet teeth of the positioning ratchet while the positioning pawl is in the holding position. 
     With the bicycle operating device according to the seventh aspect, it is possible to quickly perform a pulling operation of the positioning ratchet. 
     In accordance with an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, the bicycle operating device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects is configured so that the first contact part is configured to not contact the positioning ratchet while the positioning pawl is in the holding position. 
     With the bicycle operating device according to the eighth aspect, it is possible to easily move the pulling pawl out of the path of the ratchet teeth so as not to interfere with a releasing operation of the positioning ratchet. 
     In accordance with a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, the bicycle operating device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects is configured so that the second contact part is configured to be positioned between two of a plurality of ratchet teeth of the positioning ratchet while the positioning pawl is in the holding position. 
     With the bicycle operating device according to the ninth aspect, it is possible to quickly perform a pulling operation of the positioning ratchet. 
     In accordance with a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, the bicycle operating device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects is configured so that the second contact part is configured to not contact the positioning ratchet while the positioning pawl is in the holding position. 
     With the bicycle operating device according to the tenth aspect, it is possible to easily move the pulling pawl out of the path of the ratchet teeth so as not to interfere with a releasing operation of the positioning ratchet. 
     In accordance with an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, the bicycle operating device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects is configured so that the second contact part is configured to contact the positioning ratchet while the positioning ratchet is in a fully released position in the second direction. 
     With the bicycle operating device according to the eleventh aspect, it is possible to quickly perform a pulling operation of the positioning ratchet while the positioning ratchet is in a fully released position. 
     In accordance with a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, the bicycle operating device according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects is configured so that the positioning pawl is configured to not engage the ratchet teeth of the positioning ratchet while the positioning ratchet is in a fully released position in the second direction. 
     With the bicycle operating device according to the twelfth aspect, it is possible to have the pulling pawl and the positioning pawl perform multiple functions. 
     In accordance with a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the bicycle operating device according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects is configured so that at least three of the ratchet teeth are equally spaced apart by a first predetermined pitch interval and at least one of the ratchet teeth that is different from the three of the ratchet teeth is spaced apart from an adjacent one of the ratchet teeth by a second predetermined pitch interval that is larger than the first predetermined pitch interval. 
     With the bicycle operating device according to the thirteenth aspect, it is possible to have the positioning ratchet move the same amount for each of the ratchet positions. 
     In accordance with a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the bicycle operating device according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects is configured so that the positioning ratchet has at least twelve of the predetermined positions that are established by the positioning pawl selectively engaging to the positioning ratchet. 
     With the bicycle operating device according to the fourteenth aspect, it is possible to establish at least twelve ratchet positions. 
     In accordance with a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the bicycle operating device according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects further comprises a stop pawl movably disposed with respect to the base between a non-stopping position and a stopping position. The stop pawl is disposed out of a movement path of the positioning ratchet in the non-stopping position. The stop pawl is disposed in the movement path of the positioning ratchet in the stopping position. 
     With the bicycle operating device according to the fifteenth aspect, it is possible to limit a cable releasing action of the positioning ratchet to release only one ratchet position during a releasing operation. 
     In accordance with a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the bicycle operating device according to the fifteenth aspect is configured so that the stop pawl is biased towards the non-stopping position. 
     With the bicycle operating device according to the sixteenth aspect, it is possible to ensure that the stop pawl limits the movement of the ratchet position during a releasing operation. 
     In accordance with a seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure, the bicycle operating device according to the fifteenth aspect is configured so that the stop pawl and the positioning pawl are connected by a mounting portion that is pivotally mounted with respect to the base. 
     With the bicycle operating device according to the seventeenth aspect, it is possible to have the stop pawl and the positioning pawl move together as a unit. 
     In accordance with an eighteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the bicycle operating device according to any one of the first to seventeenth aspects further comprises a wire takeup arranged to move together with the positioning ratchet as the positioning ratchet moves with respect to the base. 
     With the bicycle operating device according to the eighteenth aspect, it is possible to operate a cable operated component with the bicycle operating device. 
     In accordance with a nineteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the bicycle operating device according to any one of the first to eighteenth aspects further comprises a first user operated input movably arranged with respect to the base between a first rest position and a first operated position. The first user operated input is operatively coupled to the pulling pawl to move the positioning ratchet with respect to the base in the first direction as the first user operated input moves from the first rest position towards the first operated position. 
     With the bicycle operating device according to the nineteenth aspect, it is possible to easily perform a pulling operation. 
     In accordance with a twentieth aspect of the present disclosure, the bicycle operating device according to the nineteenth aspect is configured so that the positioning ratchet and the first user operated input are pivotally mounted with respect to the base about a common pivot axis. 
     With the bicycle operating device according to the twentieth aspect, it is possible to make the bicycle component operating device compact. 
     In accordance with a twenty-first aspect of the present disclosure, the bicycle operating device according to any one of the first to twentieth aspects further comprises a release movably disposed with respect to the base between a first position and a second position. The release moves the positioning pawl from the holding position to the releasing position as the release moves from the first position towards the second position. 
     With the bicycle operating device according to the twenty-first aspect, it is possible to reliably perform a releasing operation. 
     In accordance with a twenty-second aspect of the present disclosure, the bicycle operating device according to the twenty-first further comprises a second user operated input movably arranged with respect to the base between a second rest position and a second operated position. The second user operated input is operatively coupled to the release. The second user operated input moves the release from the first position towards the second position as the second user operated input moves from the second rest position towards the second operated position. 
     With the bicycle operating device according to the twenty-second aspect, it is possible to easily perform a releasing operation. 
     In accordance with a twenty-third aspect of the present disclosure, the bicycle operating device according to any one of the first to twenty-second aspects further comprises a handlebar attachment coupled to the base. 
     With the bicycle operating device according to the twenty-third aspect, it is possible to attach the bicycle operating device to a handlebar to improve the operability of the bicycle operating device. 
     Also, other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the disclosed bicycle operating device will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the bicycle operating device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a portion of a handlebar of a bicycle equipped with a bicycle operating device in accordance with one illustrative embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the bicycle operating device illustrated in  FIG. 1  with a housing and a handlebar attachment of the bicycle operating device has been removed to reveal the internal parts of the bicycle operating device. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the internal parts of the bicycle operating device illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the internal parts of the bicycle operating device illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a partially exploded perspective view of selected parts of the bicycle operating device illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a partially exploded perspective view of selected parts of the bicycle operating device illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a partially exploded perspective view of selected parts of the bicycle operating device illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 4 . 
         FIG. 8  is a partially exploded perspective view of selected parts of the bicycle operating device illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 4 . 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged perspective view of selected parts of the bicycle operating device illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 4  used for performing a cable releasing operation. 
         FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of selected parts of the bicycle operating device illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 4  used for performing a cable releasing operation. 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan view of selected parts of the bicycle operating device illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 4  used for performing a cable releasing operation. 
         FIG. 12  is a top plan view of selected parts of the bicycle operating device illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 4  shown a full released position of a positioning ratchet that corresponds to a first ratchet position of a plurality of ratchet positions. 
         FIG. 13  is a top plan view of selected parts of the bicycle operating device illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 4  used for performing a cable pulling operation in which first and second user operated inputs are in first and second rest positions, respectively, and a positioning ratchet is in the first ratchet position. 
         FIG. 14  is a top plan view of the selected parts of the bicycle operating device illustrated in  FIG. 13  but in which the first user operated input has been moved from the first rest position towards a first operated position to perform a cable pulling operation. 
         FIG. 15  is a top plan view of the selected parts of the bicycle operating device illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14  but in which the first user operated input has been moved further to the first operated position to complete the cable pulling operation. 
         FIG. 16  is a top plan view of the selected parts of the bicycle operating device illustrated in  FIGS. 13 to 15  but in which the first user operated input has been returned from the first operated position back to the first rest position such that the positioning ratchet is in a second ratchet position of the ratchet positions. 
         FIG. 17  is a top plan view of the selected parts of the bicycle operating device illustrated in  FIGS. 13 to 16  but in which the first and second user operated inputs are in the first and second rest positions, respectively, and the positioning ratchet is in a fourth ratchet position of the ratchet positions. 
         FIG. 18  is a top plan view of the selected parts of the bicycle operating device illustrated in  FIGS. 13 to 17  but in which the first and second user operated inputs are in the first and second rest positions, respectively, and the positioning ratchet is in a fifth ratchet position of the ratchet positions. 
         FIG. 19  is a top plan view of the selected parts of the bicycle operating device illustrated in  FIGS. 13 to 18  but in which the first and second user operated inputs are in the first and second rest positions, respectively, and the positioning ratchet is in a sixth ratchet position of the ratchet positions. 
         FIG. 20  is a top plan view of the selected parts of the bicycle operating device illustrated in  FIGS. 13 to 19  but in which the base plate and the positioning ratchet are shown in broken lines, and in which the first and second user operated inputs are in the first and second rest positions, respectively, and the positioning ratchet is in the sixth ratchet position. 
         FIG. 21  is a top plan view of the selected parts of the bicycle operating device illustrated in  FIG. 20  but in which the second user operated input has been moved from the second rest position towards a first of the second operated positions to perform a cable releasing operation from the sixth ratchet position to the fifth ratchet position. 
         FIG. 22  is a top plan view of the selected parts of the bicycle operating device illustrated in  FIGS. 20 and 21  but in which the second user operated input has been moved from the second rest position towards a second of the second operated positions to perform a cable releasing operation from the sixth ratchet position to the fifth ratchet position. 
         FIG. 23  is a top plan view of the selected parts of the bicycle operating device illustrated in  FIGS. 20 and 22  but in which the second user operated input has been moved further from the second rest position towards the second of the second operated positions to perform a cable releasing operation from the sixth ratchet position to the fifth ratchet position. 
         FIG. 24  is a top plan view of the selected parts of the bicycle operating device illustrated in  FIGS. 20 to 23  but in which the second user operated input has been returned from the second operated position of  FIG. 22  back to the second rest position such that the positioning ratchet is in the fifth ratchet position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the bicycle field from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a portion of a handlebar H of a bicycle is shown that is equipped with a bicycle operating device  10  in accordance with one illustrative embodiment. The bicycle operating device  10  is arranged, for example, on a right side of the handlebar H so as to be operated by a rider&#39;s right hand. Alternatively, the bicycle operating device  10  can be constructed as a mirror image and arranged on a left side of the handlebar H. The bicycle operating device  10  is adjustably mounted to the handlebar H in a longitudinal direction of the handlebar H. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the bicycle operating device  10  is configured to be operatively coupled to a bicycle component BC via a control cable C. In the illustrated embodiment, the bicycle operating device  10  is configured as a gear shifter for controlling a gear position of a gear changing device such as a derailleur or an internally geared hub. However, the bicycle component operating device  10  can be used as a bicycle control device for operating other types of bicycle components (e.g., a suspension, an adjustable seatpost, etc.) as needed and/or desired. 
     Preferably, as seen in  FIG. 2 , the control cable C is a conventional bicycle operating cable that has an outer case C 1  covering an inner wire C 2 . In other words, the control cable C is a Bowden type cable in which the inner wire C 2  is slidably received within the outer case C 1 . The inner wire C 2  has a cable nipple or attachment barrel C 3  for attaching the inner wire C 2  to the bicycle component operating device  10  as discussed below. The bicycle component operating device  10  operates the bicycle component BC by selectively pulling and releasing the inner wire C 2 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the bicycle operating device  10  comprises a base  12 . The base  12  is a stationary support part that supports internal parts of the bicycle operating device  10 . Here, the bicycle operating device  10  further comprises a housing  14  (see  FIG. 1 ) that covers the base  12  and the internal parts (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) of the bicycle operating device  10  that release from the inner wire C 2  to feed out of the housing  14  and that pull the inner wire C 2  into the housing  14 . Here, for example, the housing  14  has a two-piece construction that are coupled together by fasteners (e.g., screws) that are not shown. The parts of the housing  14  are hard rigid members that are constructed of a suitable material such as a hard plastic or a lightweight metal such as aluminum. However, the housing  14  can have a variety of configurations as needed and/or desired. While the housing  14  is described as a separate element from the base  12 , the housing  14  can be considered part of the base  12  in that the housing  14  is a stationary support part that is integrated with the base  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the bicycle operating device  10  further comprises a handlebar attachment  16  that is coupled to the base  12 . The handlebar attachment  16  is removably attached to the base  12  by a fixing bolt  18  as seen in  FIG. 1 . Also, the handlebar attachment  16  can be adjustably mounted to the housing  14  as needed and/or desired. While the handlebar attachment  16  is described as a separate element from the base  12 , the handlebar attachment  16  can be considered part of the base  12  in that the handlebar attachment  16  is a stationary support part that is integrated with the base  12 . The handlebar attachment  16  is configured to be mounted to the handlebar H in a conventional manner. The handlebar attachment  16  is preferably made of a strong rigid material such as a metallic material or a reinforced resin material. Here, the handlebar attachment  16  has a handlebar clamp  16   a  and a tightening bolt (not shown) for tightening the handlebar clamp  16   a  around the handlebar H. While the handlebar clamp  16   a  is shown as a one-piece, unitary member (i.e., a non-hinged clamp), the handlebar clamp  16   a  can be a hinged clamp having a pair of curved jaws pivotally connected at one end and adjustably coupled by a bolt at the other end. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the bicycle operating device  10  further comprises a first user operated input  20  that is movably arranged with respect to the base  12  between a first rest position and a first operated position. Basically, the first user operated input  20  is moved in a first operating direction R 1  from the first rest position towards the first operated position for performing a cable pulling operation of the inner wire C 2  with respect to the base  12 . Here, the first user operated input  20  includes an attachment portion  20   a  that is disposed inside the housing  14  and a lever portion  20   b  that extends outside of the housing  14  from the attachment portion  20   a . The attachment portion  20   a  is pivotally attached to the base  12 . The lever portion  20   b  is arranged such that the user moves the lever portion  20   b  to pivot the first user operated input  20  with respect to the base  12 . The attachment portion  20   a  and the lever portion  20   b  are, for example, formed of a single metal piece with the lever portion  20   b  having a plastic user contact portion molded thereon as shown. 
     The bicycle operating device  10  further comprises a second user operated input  22  that is movably arranged with respect to the base  12  between a second rest position and a second operated position. Basically, the second user operated input  22  is moved in a second operating direction R 2  from the second rest position towards the second operated position for performing a cable releasing operation of the inner wire C 2  with respect to the base  12 . In addition, the second user operated input  22  is moved in a third operating direction R 3  from the second rest position towards the second operated position for performing a cable releasing operation of the inner wire C 2  with respect to the base  12 . Thus, as explained below, the second user operated input  22  has two of the second operated positions. Here, the second user operated input  22  includes an attachment portion  22   a  that is disposed inside the housing  14  and a lever portion  22   b  that extends outside of the housing  14  from the attachment portion  22   a . The attachment portion  22   a  is pivotally attached to the base  12 . The lever portion  22   b  is arranged such that the user moves the lever portion  22   b  to pivot the second user operated input  22  with respect to the base  12 . The attachment portion  22   a  and the lever portion  22   b  are, for example, formed of a single metal piece with the lever portion  22   b  having a plastic user contact portion molded thereon as shown. 
     Preferably, the first user operated input  20  is biased towards the first rest position by a biasing element  23  as seen in  FIG. 4 . For example, the biasing element  23  is a torsion spring having a first free end hooked onto the base  12  and a second free end hooks onto the first user operated input  20 . Likewise, preferably, the second user operated input  22  is biased towards the second rest position as will be discussed below. As used herein, the term “rest position” refers to a state in which a part (e.g., the first and second user operated inputs  20  and  22 ) remains stationary without the need of a user holding the part in that state. Basically, the first user operated input  20  is operated by a user to pull the inner wire C 2  into the housing  16 , while the second user operated input  22  is operated by a user to feed out the inner wire C 2  from the housing  16 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the bicycle operating device  10  further comprises a wire takeup  24 . The wire takeup  24  includes a cable holder  24   a . The inner wire C 2  is attached to the cable holder  24   a  of the wire takeup  24  by the cable attachment barrel C 3 . The wire takeup  24  is pivotally mounted to the base  12  as discussed below. The wire takeup  24  pivots with to the base  12  in a first direction D 1 , which corresponds to a cable pulling direction, and pivots with to the base  12  in a second direction D 2 , which corresponds to a cable releasing direction. 
     As seen in  FIG. 5 , a biasing element  26  is provided between the base  12  and the wire takeup  24  to biasing the wire takeup  24  in the second direction D 2 . Here, the biasing element  26  is a coiled torsion spring having a first free end engaged in a notch of the wire takeup  24  and a second free end of the biasing element  26  engaged in a notch of the base  12 . The biasing element  26  is preferably preloaded to bias the wire takeup  24  in the second direction D 2  against an abutment of the base  12 . 
     As the first user operated input  20  is moved from the first rest position (see  FIG. 12 ) towards the first operated position (see  FIG. 14 ), the wire takeup  24  is moved to pull the inner wire C 2  of the control cable C with respect to the base  12 . On the other hand, as the second user operated input  22  is moved from the second rest position (see  FIG. 19 ) towards the second operated position (see  FIG. 20  or  FIG. 21 ), the wire takeup  24  is moved to release the inner wire C 2  of the control cable C with respect to the base  12 . Thus, the wire takeup  24  is connected to the inner wire C 2  of the control cable C of the bicycle component BC ( FIG. 1 ). In this way, the bicycle operating device  10  is configured to pull the inner wire C 2  with respect to the base  12  in response to a cable pulling operation of the first user operated input  20  and releases the inner wire C 2  with respect to the base  12  in response to a cable releasing operation of the second user operated input  22 . Thus, the bicycle operating device  10  constitutes a bicycle cable operating device. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the base  12  includes a shaft  28  that pivotally supports the first user operated input  20  and the wire takeup  24  for pivotal movement with respect to the base  12  about a center axis A 1  (hereinafter referred to as “first axis A 1 ”) of the shaft  28 . In this way, the shaft  28  acts as a pivot shaft or axle for pivotally support the first user operated input  20  and the wire takeup  24  with respect to the base  12 . Thus, the first user operated input  20  is pivotally mounted to the base  12  to pivot between the first rest position (see  FIG. 12 ) and the first operated position (see  FIG. 14 ). 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the shaft  28  is a mounting bolt that has a head portion  28   a , an externally threaded shaft portion  28   b  and an internally threaded bore  28   c . Here, the attachment portion  20   a  of the first user operated input  20  is pivotally supported on the shaft  28 . The lever portion  20   b  is arranged such that the user moves the lever portion  20   b  in the first operating direction R 1  to pivot the first user operated input  20  about the shaft  28 . A washer  29  is provided on the threaded shaft portion  28   b  of the shaft  28  and a fixing nut  30  is screwed onto the externally threaded shaft portion  28   b  of the shaft  28  to couple the shaft  28  to the base  12 . The fixing bolt  18  is threaded into the internally threaded bore  28   c  of the shaft  28  for securing the handlebar clamp  16  to the shaft  28 . Preferably, a bushing  31  is provided on the shaft  28  and the wire takeup  24  is provided on the bushing  31 . The biasing element  23  and the biasing element  26  have their coiled portions arranged to wrapped around the shaft  28 . In this way, the biasing element  23  and the biasing element  26  are supported on the base  12 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 2 to 5 , the base  12  further includes a base plate  32 . Here, the base  12  further includes a support plate  34  that is a separate part from the base plate  32 . The bushing  31  also acts as a spacer between the base plate  32  to the support plate  34  such that the wire takeup  24  can pivot about the bushing  31 . The base plate  32  and the support plate  34  are coupled together by the shaft  28 . In particular, the fixing nut  30  is screwed onto the externally threaded shaft portion  28   b  of the shaft  28  to couple the base plate  32  to the support plate  34 . The shaft  28  pivotally supports the first user operated input  20  to the base plate  32  on a side of the base plate  32  that is opposite to the wire takeup  24 . Here, the shaft  28 , the base plate  32  and the support plate  34  are stationary support members that are disposed inside the housing  14  and form an internal support. The base plate  32  also pivotally supports the second user operated input  22  via a support pin  35  that is screwed into a thread hole of the base plate  32 . Here, the base plate  32  is also provided with a barrel adjuster  36  that projects outside of the housing  14  as seen in  FIG. 1 . The barrel adjuster  36  is adjustably coupled to the base plate  32  to variably fix a contact point of an end of the outer case C 1  relative to the base  12 . Also, a bushing  37  is provided between on the shaft  28  to pivotally support the first user operated input  20  with respect to the base plate  32 . 
     The base plate  32  and the support plate  34  are hard, rigid members that are constructed of suitable materials such as a lightweight metal (e.g., aluminum). For example, the base plate  32  and the support plate  34  are each formed by stamping and bending a metal sheet to the desired shape. However, the base plate  32  and the support plate  34  can be formed from a single metal sheet that is bent to the desired shape. In other words, the base plate  32  can be formed from a single metal sheet or can be formed from several pieces connected together. As mentioned above, the base plate  32  and the support plate  34  are fixedly connected together by the shaft  28  and the nut  30 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 10 , the base  12  includes a base plate  32  having a first surface S 1  and a second surface S 2 . The second surface S 2  is opposite the first surface S 1 . The base plate  32  has a base thickness L between the first surface S 1  and the second surface S 2 . The base thickness L is between one millimeter and five millimeters. More preferably, the base thickness L is between one millimeter and three millimeters. In the illustrated embodiment, the base thickness 1.8 millimeters. The base plate  32  includes an inner wall  38  defining a through hole  38   a  having a first opening  38   a   1  at the first surface S 1  and a second opening  38   a   2  at the second surface S 2 . The inner wall  38  also defines the first surface S 1  and the second surface S 2 . The inner wall  38  also defines a first surface side SS 1  of the base plate  32  and a second surface side SS 2  of the base plate  32 . The first surface side SS 1  of the base plate  32  corresponds to a side of the base plate  32  with the first surface S 1 . The second surface side SS 2  of the base plate  32  corresponds to a side of the base plate  32  with the second surface S 2 . The wire takeup  24  is disposed on the first surface side SS 1  of the base plate  32 , while the first user operated input  20  and the second user operated input  22  are disposed on the second surface side SS 2  of the base plate  32 . 
     To effectuate positioning of the wire takeup  24 , the bicycle operating device  10  further comprises a positioning ratchet  40  and a positioning pawl  42 . The positioning ratchet  40  and the positioning pawl  42  are both disposed on the first surface side SS 1  of the base plate  32 . Basically, the positioning ratchet  40  is non-movably coupled to the wire takeup  24  such that the wire takeup  24  and the positioning ratchet  40  move as a unit with respect to the base  12 . The positioning ratchet  40  and the first user operated input  20  are pivotally mounted with respect to the base  12  about a common pivot axis. In this illustrated embodiment, the common pivot axis corresponds to the first axis A 1 , which is the center axis of the shaft  28 . The positioning ratchet  40  is movably disposed with respect to the base  12  in the first direction D 1  and the second direction D 2  that is opposite to the first direction D 1 . In other words, the wire takeup  24  is arranged to move together with the positioning ratchet  40  as the positioning ratchet  40  moves with respect to the base  12 . Here, the positioning ratchet  40  includes a plurality of ratchet teeth  40   a  that are selectively engaged and disengaged with the positioning pawl  42  to position the wire takeup  24  with respect to the base  12 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 12 , in addition to the ratchet teeth  40   a , the positioning ratchet  40  includes a first abutment B 1  and a second abutment B 2 . The ratchet teeth  40   a  include a first ratchet tooth T 1 , a second ratchet tooth T 2 , a third ratchet tooth T 3 , a fourth ratchet tooth T 4 , a fifth ratchet tooth T 5 , a sixth ratchet tooth T 6 , a seventh ratchet tooth T 7 , an eighth ratchet tooth T 8 , a ninth ratchet tooth T 9 , a tenth ratchet tooth T 10 , an eleventh ratchet tooth T 11 , a twelfth ratchet tooth T 12  and a thirteenth ratchet tooth T 13 . The first ratchet tooth T 1  is different from the second ratchet tooth T 2 . The second ratchet tooth T 2  is next to the first ratchet tooth T 1 . More specifically, the ratchet teeth T 1  to T 13  are sequentially arranged in that order in a circumferential direction of the positioning ratchet  40  with respect to the first axis A 1 . The abutment B 1  and the second abutment B 2  are sequentially arranged before the ratchet teeth T 1  to T 13  in that order in a circumferential direction of the positioning ratchet  40  with respect to the first axis A 1 . 
     Here, at least three of the ratchet teeth  40   a  are equally spaced apart by a first predetermined pitch interval P 1  and at least one of the ratchet teeth  40   a  that is different from the three of the ratchet teeth  40   a  is spaced apart from an adjacent one of the ratchet teeth  40   a  by a second predetermined pitch interval P 2  that is larger than the first predetermined pitch interval P 1 . In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, a spacing or gap G is defined between the first ratchet tooth T 1  and the second ratchet tooth T 2 . Thus, the first ratchet tooth T 1  and the second ratchet tooth T 2  are spaced apart by the second predetermined pitch interval P 2 , while the spacing between the remaining ratchet teeth T 2  to T 13  are equally spaced apart by the first predetermined pitch interval P 1 . The abutment B 1  and first ratchet tooth T 1  are also spaced apart by the first predetermined pitch interval P 1 . 
     On the other hand, the positioning pawl  42  is movably mounted on the base  12  to selectively engage the positioning ratchet  40  for maintaining a ratchet position of the positioning ratchet  40  with respect to the base  12  and to be selectively disengaged from the positioning ratchet  40  for permitting movement of the positioning ratchet  40  with respect to the base  12 . More specifically, the positioning pawl  42  is movably disposed with respect to the base  12  between a holding position and a releasing position. Here, the positioning pawl  42  is pivotally mounted on a support shaft  43  that is supported between the base plate  32  and the support plate  34 . In other words, the positioning pawl  42  is pivotally mounted to the base plate  32  on a second axis A 2  that is parallel to the first axis A 1 . The second axis A 2  is defined by a center longitudinal axis of the support shaft  43 . The positioning pawl  42  engages the positioning ratchet  40  to selectively establish a plurality of predetermined positions of the positioning ratchet  40  with respect to the base  12  while the positioning pawl  42  is in the holding position. Preferably, as in the illustrated embodiment, the positioning ratchet  40  has at least twelve of the predetermined positions that are established by the positioning pawl  42  selectively engaging to the positioning ratchet  40 . The positioning pawl  42  is disengaged from the positioning ratchet  40  to permit the positioning ratchet  40  to move with respect to the base  12  in the second direction D 2  while the positioning pawl  42  is in the releasing position. As seen in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the positioning pawl  42  is configured to not engage the ratchet teeth  40   a  of the positioning ratchet  40  while the positioning ratchet  40  is in a fully released position in the second direction D 2 . 
     To effectuate a cable releasing operation of the wire takeup  24 , the bicycle operating device  10  further comprises a release  44  that is movably disposed with respect to the base  12  between a first position ( FIGS. 11 and 20 ) and a second position ( FIGS. 21 and 22 ). The second user operated input  22  is operatively coupled to the release  44  such that movement of the second user operated input  22  form the second rest position to the second operated position pivots the release  44 . In the illustrated embodiment, the release  44  is pivotally mounted to the base plate  32  on the first axis A 1 . Specifically, the release  44  is pivotally supported on the bushing  37  that is provided on the shaft  28 . On the other hand, the second user operated input  22  is movably supported on the base plate  32  by the support pin  35 , which defines a third axis A 3 . The third axis A 3  is parallel to the first axis A 1  and the second axis A 2 . 
     Basically, the release  44  moves the positioning pawl  42  from the holding position to the releasing position as the release  44  moves from the first position towards the second position. In this way, the positioning ratchet  40  can move with respect to the base  12  in the second direction D 2  while the release  44  is in the second position and holding the positioning pawl  42  in the releasing position. The release  44  is biased towards the first position as seen in  FIGS. 11 and 20 . In particular, a biasing element  45  is provided between the base plate  32  and the release  44  to biasing the release  44  in the second direction D 2 . Here, the biasing element  45  is a coiled compression spring having a first free end engaged with an abutment of the release  44  and a second free end engaged in an abutment of the base plate  32 . The biasing element  45  also acts as a return spring for the second user operated input  22 . In other words, the second user operated input  22  is biased to the second rest position by the biasing element  45 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 10 , the release  44  contacts the positioning pawl  42  at a contact area CA disposed between the first surface S 1  and the second surface S 2  while the release  44  is in the second position. The contact area CA is entirely disposed between the first surface S 1  and the second surface S 2 . In other words, the release  44  contacts the positioning pawl  42  in the contact area CA, which is entirely located within the base thickness L of the inner wall  38 . The release  44  includes a support portion  44   a  that is movably mounted to the base plate  32 . In particular, the support portion  44   a  of the release  44  is pivotally supported on the bushing  37  that is provided on the shaft  28 . The support portion  44   a  is disposed on a second surface side SS 2  of the base plate  32 . In other words, the support portion  44   a  is located on the opposite side of the inner wall  38  from the positioning ratchet  40 . 
     The release  44  further includes an extension  44   b  extending from the support portion  44   a  into the contact area CA. Thus, the extension  44   b  of the release  44  extends out of the plane of the support portion  44   a  of the release  44  and into a plane of the inner wall  38 . As explained below, the extension  44   b  of the release  44  is configured to contact the positioning pawl  42  in response to operation of the second user operated input  22  from the second rest position towards the second operated position. Thus, the second user operated input  22  is operatively coupled to the release  44 . In particular, the second user operated input  22  moves the release  44  from the first position towards the second position as the second user operated input  22  moves from the second rest position towards the second operated position. In other words, the second user operated input  22  is operatively coupled to the positioning pawl  42  via the release  44  so as to move the positioning pawl  42  from the holding position to the releasing position in response to operation of the second user operated input  22 . Here, the release  44  further includes an abutment  44   c  and a projection  44   d . The abutment  44   c  and the projection  44   d  will be explained below. 
     Preferably, the bicycle operating device  10  further comprises a stop pawl  46  that is movably disposed with respect to the base  12  between a non-stopping position and a stopping position. The stop pawl  46  is provided to ensure that the positioning ratchet  40  moves only one of the predetermined positions with a single progressive movement of the second user operated input  22  from the second rest position towards the second operated position. In the illustrated embodiment, the stop pawl  46  is pivotally mounted to the base plate  32  on the second axis A 2 . Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the stop pawl  46  and the positioning pawl  42  are connected by a mounting portion  48  that is pivotally mounted with respect to the base  12 . Thus, the positioning pawl  42  includes the mounting portion  48  that is movably mounted to the base plate  32 . In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, the positioning pawl  42 , the stop pawl  46  and the mounting portion  48  are integrally formed as a one-piece, unitary member from a single piece. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the positioning pawl  42  and the stop pawl  46  pivot as a unit about the second axis A 2 . However, the positioning pawl  42  and the stop pawl  46  can be separate members that are independently movable if needed and/or desired. In any case, the stop pawl  46  is disposed out of a movement path of the positioning ratchet  40  in the non-stopping position. The stop pawl  46  is disposed in the movement path of the positioning ratchet  40  in the stopping position. The stop pawl  46  moves from the non-stopping position toward the stopping position in response to operation of the release  44 . In other words, as the second user operated input  22  moves from the second rest position towards the second operated position, the release  44  moves from the first position towards the second position which in turn moves the stop pawl  46  from the non-stopping position toward the stopping position. 
     Here, the stop pawl  46  is biased towards the non-stopping position. In particular, a biasing element  50  is provided between the positioning pawl  42  and the support plate  34  to bias the stop pawl  46  towards the non-stopping position and the positioning pawl  42  towards the holding position. Preferably, the stop pawl  46  or the mounting portion  48  is provided with an abutment  52  to limit the movement of the positioning pawl  42  and the stop pawl  46  under the biasing force of the biasing element  50 . In particular, the abutment  52  contacts the base plate  32  under the biasing force of the biasing element  50  when the first and second user operated inputs  20  and  22  are in the first and second rest positions, respectively. Here, the biasing element  50  is a torsion spring that is mounted on the support shaft  43 . The biasing element  50  has a first free end engaged with the positioning pawl  42  and a second free end engaged in a notch of the support plate  34 . In this way, the abutment  52  biased into contact with an abutment of the base plate  32  by the biasing element  50 . 
     The positioning pawl  42  further includes a projection  42   a  projecting with respect to the mounting portion  48  into the contact area CA. The projection  42   a  is configured to be contacted by the extension  44   b  of the release  44  as the release  44  moves from the first position towards the second position. Also, as the release  44  moves from the first position towards the second position, the positioning pawl  42  is pivoted from the holding position to the releasing position. As mentioned above, the release  44  moves from the first position towards the second position in response to operation of the second user operated input  22  from the second rest position towards the second operated position. In this way, the second user operated input  22  is operatively connected to the positioning pawl  42  via the release  44  to during a cable releasing operation. 
     Here, the mounting portion  48  is disposed on the first surface side SS 1  of the base plate  32 . In other words, the mounting portion  48  of the positioning pawl  42  is located on the opposite side of the inner wall  38  from the support portion  44   a  of the release  44 . In this way, the mounting portion  48  of the positioning pawl  42  is offset from the support portion  44   a  of the release  44  in an axial direction of the first axis A 1 . Preferably, the projection  42   a  and the mounting portion  48  are one-piece unitary member. More preferably, the projection  42  is provided by press working. The positioning pawl  42  is biased towards the holding position. In particular, as mentioned above, the biasing element  50  biases positioning pawl  42  is biased towards the holding position. 
     To effectuate a cable pulling operation of the wire takeup  24 , the bicycle operating device  10  further comprises a pulling pawl  56 . The first user operated input  20  is operatively coupled to the pulling pawl  56  to move the positioning ratchet  40  with respect to the base  12  in the first direction D 1  as the first user operated input  20  moves from the first rest position towards the first operated position. More specifically, the pulling pawl  56  is pivotally mounted on the attachment portion  20   a  of the first user operated input  20  by a support shaft  60 . The support shaft  60  defines a fourth axis A 4  that is parallel to the first axis A 1 . 
     As seen in the illustrated embodiment in  FIG. 12 , the positioning ratchet  40  includes more than of the four ratchet teeth  40   a  that are configured to contact the positioning pawl  42 , the stopping pawl  46  and the pulling pawl  56 . Basically, the positioning ratchet  40  is configured to rotate around the first axis A 1 . The positioning pawl  42  and the stopping pawl  46  pivot around the second axis A 2 , while the pulling pawl  56  pivots around the fourth axis A 4 . The second axis A 2  and the fourth axis A 4  are positioned within a ninety-degree range about the first axis A 1 . The second axis A 2  and the fourth axis A 4  are preferably positioned almost the same distance from the first axis A 1  (±2 millimeters). In this way, the pulling pawl  56  is positioned along a moving path in the first direction D 1  (the cable pulling direction) away from the positioning pawl  42  so that the positioning pawl  42  and the pulling pawl  56  can be positioned closely even if the pulling pawl  56  moves the first direction D 1  (the cable pulling direction). 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the pulling pawl  56  is biased towards engagement with the positioning ratchet  40  by a biasing element  62 . In particular, the biasing element  62  is mounted on the support shaft  60 . Here, the biasing element  62  is a torsion spring having a first free end engaged with the pulling pawl  56  and a second free end the attachment portion  20   a  of the first user operated input  20  to biasing the pulling pawl  56  towards engagement with the positioning ratchet  40 . 
     As see in  FIG. 12 , the pulling pawl  56  includes a first contact part  56   a  and a second contact part  56   b . The second contact part  56   b  is spaced apart from the first contact part  56   a . A first liner distance between the first contact part  56   a  and the first axis A 1  is different from a second liner distance between the second contact part  56   b  and the first axis A 1 . The first liner distance is longer than the second liner distance. In particular, the first contact part  56   a  and the second contact part  56   b  are located at different angular position with respect to the first axis A 1 . In other words, the first contact part  56   a  and the second contact part  56   b  are spaced apart with respect to the first axis A 1 . In this way, the first contact part  56   a  and the second contact part  56   b  are arranged to selectively contact the first and second abutments B 1  and B 2  and the ratchet teeth  40   a  during the cable pulling operations. 
     Basically, initially, the first contact part  56   a  and the second contact part  56   b  are arranged to contact one of the ratchet teeth  40   a  or one of the first and second abutments B 1  and B 2  in response to operation of the first user operated input  20  from the first rest position towards the first operated position. In this way, the first user operated input  20  is operatively connected to the positioning ratchet  40  via the pulling pawl  56  during a cable pulling operation. The positioning ratchet  40  is shown in a fully released position in  FIG. 12 . In the fully released position in  FIG. 12 , the second contact part  56   b  is engaged with the first abutment B 1 , while the first contact part  56   a  is not engaged with either of the first and second abutments B 1  and B 2  or any of the ratchet teeth  40   a . In this embodiment, the second contact part  56   b  is in contact with a circumferential surface of the first abutment B 1  and the second contact part  56   b  limits the positioning ratchet  40  to move with respect to the base  12  in the second direction D 2  in the fully released position. In this embodiment, the first contact part  56   a  is contact with a radially outward surface of the first abutment B 1  but the first contact part  56   a  does not limit the positioning ratchet  40  to move with respect to the base  12  in the second direction D 2  in the fully released position. Also, the positioning pawl  42  is configured to not engage the ratchet teeth  40   a  of the positioning ratchet  40  while the positioning ratchet  40  is in a fully released position in the second direction D 2 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 13 to 16 , a cable pulling operation is illustrated. As seen in  FIG. 13 , the second contact part  56   b  is configured to contact the positioning ratchet  40  while the positioning ratchet  40  is in a fully released position in the second direction D 2 . In particular, with the positioning ratchet  40  in the fully released position, the second contact part  56   b  of the pulling pawl  56  contacts the first abutment B 1  of the positioning ratchet  40  and is ready to pivot the positioning ratchet  40  in the first direction D 1  about the first axis A 1 . Then as seen in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , operation of the first user operated input  20  from the first rest position towards the first operated position causes the pulling pawl  56  to pivot the positioning ratchet  40  in the first direction D 1  about the first axis A 1 . Then, as seen in  FIG. 16 , the first user operated input  20  is released and returns to the first rest position under the biasing force of the biasing element  23 . Then, from the position of the positioning ratchet  40  shown in  FIG. 16 , the second contact part  56   b  of the pulling pawl  56  is arranged to contact the second abutment B 2  of the positioning ratchet  40  to pivot the positioning ratchet  40  in the first direction D 1  about the first axis A 1  during the next cable pulling operation. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 16 to 19 , the first contact part  56   a  is configured to not contact the positioning ratchet  40  while the positioning pawl  42  is in the holding position. Likewise, the second contact part  56   b  is configured to not contact the positioning ratchet  40  while the positioning pawl  42  is in the holding position. Thus, the positioning pawl  42  can be engaged certainly with one of the ratchet teeth  40   a  to selectively establish the plurality of predetermined positions of the positioning ratchet  40  with respect to the base  12  while the positioning pawl  42  is in the holding position. Moreover, the first contact part  56   a  is configured to be positioned between two of the plurality of the ratchet teeth  40   a  of the positioning ratchet  40  while the positioning pawl  42  is in the holding position. Thus, the first contact part  56   a  can be quickly engaged with one of the ratchet teeth  40   a  during a cable pulling operation for those positions in which the first contact part  56   a  is used to pivot the positioning ratchet  40  in the first direction D 1 . Likewise, the second contact part  56   b  is configured to be positioned between two of the plurality of the ratchet teeth  40   a  of the positioning ratchet  40  while the positioning pawl  42  is in the holding position. Thus, the second contact part  56   b  can be quickly engaged with one of the ratchet teeth  40   a  during a cable pulling operation for those positions in which the second contact part  56   b  is used to pivot the positioning ratchet  40  in the first direction D 1 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 17 , the positioning ratchet  40  is shown in a first predetermined position of the predetermined positions of the positioning ratchet  40  that are established by the positioning pawl  42  engaging one of the ratchet teeth  40   a . The first predetermined position corresponds to a fourth ratchet position of the positioning ratchet  40  where the fully released position of  FIG. 13  corresponds to a first ratchet position of the positioning ratchet  40 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 17 , the first contact part  56   a  of the pulling pawl  56  is configured to contact the positioning ratchet  40  to move the positioning ratchet  40  during movement of the positioning ratchet  40  in the first direction D 1  from the first predetermined position ( FIG. 17 ) of the predetermined positions. In particular, the first contact part  56   a  is configured to contact the first ratchet tooth T 1  of the plurality of the ratchet teeth  40   a  of the positioning ratchet  40  during movement of the positioning ratchet  40  in the first direction D 1  from the first predetermined position. In other words, in the first predetermined position ( FIG. 17 ) of the positioning ratchet  40 , the first contact part  56   a  of the pulling pawl  56  is contacting the first ratchet tooth T 1  the positioning ratchet  40  such that operation of the first user operated input  20  from the first rest position towards the first operated position causes the positioning ratchet  40  to pivot in the first direction D 1  about the first axis A 1 . On the other hand, as can be determined from  FIG. 17 , the second contact part  56   b  is configured to not contact the positioning ratchet  40  during movement of the positioning ratchet  40  in the first direction D 1  from the first predetermined position. Rather, the second contact part  56   b  is located in the gap G between the first ratchet tooth T 1  and the second ratchet tooth T 2 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 18 , the positioning ratchet  40  is shown in a second predetermined position of the predetermined positions of the positioning ratchet  40  that are established by the positioning pawl  42  engaging one of the ratchet teeth  40   a . The second predetermined position corresponds to a fifth ratchet position of the positioning ratchet  40 . As seen in  FIG. 18 , the second contact part  56   b  of the pulling pawl  56  is configured to contact the positioning ratchet  40  to move the positioning ratchet  40  during movement of the positioning ratchet  40  in the first direction D 1  from the second predetermined position ( FIG. 18 ) of the predetermined positions. Specifically, the second contact part  56   b  is configured to contact the second ratchet tooth T 2  of the ratchet teeth  40   a  during movement of the positioning ratchet  40  in the first direction D 1  from the second predetermined position. Clearly, as seen in  FIG. 18 , the first predetermined position is different from the second predetermined position. Here, the second predetermined position of the positioning ratchet  40  is the next predetermined position of the positioning ratchet  40  from the first predetermined position ( FIG. 17 ) of the positioning ratchet  40  during a cable pulling operation. On the other hand, as can be determined from  FIG. 18 , the first contact part  56   a  is configured to not contact the positioning ratchet  40  during movement of the positioning ratchet  40  in the first direction D 1  from the second predetermined position. Rather, the first contact part  56   a  is located in the gap G between the first ratchet tooth T 1  and the second ratchet tooth T 2 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 19 , the positioning ratchet  40  is shown in a third predetermined position of the predetermined positions of the positioning ratchet  40  that are established by the positioning pawl  42  engaging one of the ratchet teeth  40   a . The third predetermined position corresponds to a sixth ratchet position of the positioning ratchet  40 . As seen in  FIG. 19 , the first contact part  56   a  and the second contact part  56   b  are configured to both contact the positioning ratchet  40  during movement of the positioning ratchet  40  in the first direction D 1  from a third predetermined position ( FIG. 19 ) of the predetermined positions. Namely, with the positioning ratchet  40  in the third predetermined position of  FIG. 19 , the second contact part  56   b  and the first contact part  56   a  are arranged to engage the second and third ratchet teeth T 2  and T 3 . Thus, the first contact part  56   a  and the second contact part  56   b  are each configured to contact one of the ratchet teeth  40   a  of the positioning ratchet  40  during movement of the positioning ratchet  40  in the first direction D 1  from the third predetermined position ( FIG. 19 ) of the predetermined positions. Clearly, as seen in  FIG. 19 , the third predetermined position is different from the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 20 to 24 , a cable releasing operation will now be discussed. As mentioned above, a cable releasing operation is performed by moving the second user operated input  22  from the second rest position towards the second operated position. The second user operated input  22  can be moved from the second rest position in either the second operating direction R 2  or the third operating direction R 3  to perform the cable releasing operation. In particular, when the second user operated input  22  is operated from the second rest position by pivoting the second user operated input  22  in the second operating direction R 2 , the second user operated input  22  will pivot on the support pin  35  about the third axis A 3 . On the other hand, the when the second user operated input  22  is operated from the second rest position by pivoting the second user operated input  22  in the third operating direction R 3 , the second user operated input  22  will pivot on the shaft  28  about the first axis A 1 . This dual release direction of the second user operated input  22  is accomplished by providing the attachment portion  22   a  with an elongated curved slot  22   c  that receives the support shaft  35 , and two projections  22   a   1  and  22   a   2  that mate with the projection  44   d  of the release  44 . Thus, the projections  22   a   1  and  22   a   2  mate with the projection  44   d  such that the second user operated input  22  and the release  44  do not move relative to each other while the second user operated input  22  is in the second rest position. However, the projections  22   a   1  and  22   a   2  are configured with respect to the projection  44   d  such that the second user operated input  22  pivots on the support shaft  35  with respect to the release  44 , which pivots on the shaft  28 , as the second user operated input  22  is moved in the second operating direction R 2 . On the other hand, the projections  22   a   1  and  22   a   2  are configured with respect to the projection  44   d  such that the second user operated input  22  and the release  44  pivot together as a unit (i.e., practically no relative movement) on the shaft  28  as the second user operated input  22  is moved in the third operating direction R 3 . 
     In either case, when the second user operated input  22  is moved from the second rest position towards either of the second operated positions, the release  44  is pivoted about the first axis A 1  from the first position ( FIGS. 20 and 24 ) to the second position ( FIGS. 21 to 23 ). When the release  44  is moved from the first position ( FIGS. 20 and 24 ) to the second position ( FIGS. 21 to 23 ), the extension  44   b  of the release  44  engaging the positioning pawl  42  and the stop pawl  46  are pivoted about the second axis A 2  by the projection  42   a  of the positioning pawl  42 . In this way, in response to operation of the release  44 , the positioning pawl  42  is pivoted from the holding position to the releasing position, and the stop pawl  46  is pivoted from the non-stopping position toward the stopping position in response to operation of the release  44 . Also, as the release  44  moves from the first position to the second position, the abutment  44   c  of the release  44  engages the pulling pawl  56  to pivot the pulling pawl  56  out of the path of the ratchet teeth  40   a . In this way, the positioning ratchet  40  can move in the second direction D 2 . 
     In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term “comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and their derivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or “element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts unless otherwise stated. 
     As used herein, the following directional terms “frame facing side”, “non-frame facing side”, “forward”, “rearward”, “front”, “rear”, “up”, “down”, “above”, “below”, “upward”, “downward”, “top”, “bottom”, “side”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “perpendicular” and “transverse” as well as any other similar directional terms refer to those directions of a bicycle in an upright, riding position and equipped with the bicycle operating device. Accordingly, these directional terms, as utilized to describe the bicycle operating device should be interpreted relative to a bicycle in an upright riding position on a horizontal surface and that is equipped with the bicycle operating device. The terms “left” and “right” are used to indicate the “right” when referencing from the right side as viewed from the rear of the bicycle, and the “left” when referencing from the left side as viewed from the rear of the bicycle. 
     The phrase “at least one of” as used in this disclosure means “one or more” of a desired choice. For one example, the phrase “at least one of” as used in this disclosure means “only one single choice” or “both of two choices” if the number of its choices is two. For another example, the phrase “at least one of” as used in this disclosure means “only one single choice” or “any combination of equal to or more than two choices” if the number of its choices is equal to or more than three. 
     Also, it will be understood that although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. Thus, for example, a first component discussed above could be termed a second component and vice versa without departing from the teachings of the present invention. 
     The term “attached” or “attaching”, as used herein, encompasses configurations in which an element is directly secured to another element by affixing the element directly to the other element; configurations in which the element is indirectly secured to the other element by affixing the element to the intermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the other element; and configurations in which one element is integral with another element, i.e. one element is essentially part of the other element. This definition also applies to words of similar meaning, for example, “joined”, “connected”, “coupled”, “mounted”, “bonded”, “fixed” and their derivatives. Finally, terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean an amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. 
     While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, unless specifically stated otherwise, the size, shape, location or orientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/or desired so long as the changes do not substantially affect their intended function. Unless specifically stated otherwise, components that are shown directly connected or contacting each other can have intermediate structures disposed between them so long as the changes do not substantially affect their intended function. The functions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa unless specifically stated otherwise. The structures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in another embodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in a particular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is unique from the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, also should be considered a separate description of further inventions by the applicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodied by such feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.