Patent Publication Number: US-2022212748-A1

Title: Bicycle cockpit lever

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates generally to an actuator for use with a bicycle, and more particularly to a bicycle cockpit lever designed to be actuated by a rider&#39;s thumb. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Modern bicycles have a variety of adjustable components, some of which may be adjusted “on-the-fly,” as the bicycle is ridden. Adjustable bicycle components may include front and/or rear brake systems, front and/or rear suspension systems, front and/or rear derailleur systems, and/or a dropper post. A variety of different mechanisms are available to allow adjustment of such components. 
     As used herein, the term “brake” takes its ordinary meaning in the context of bicycle components. A “front brake” is a component configured to resist rotation of a front wheel of a bicycle with respect to a frame of the bicycle about an axis of rotation of the front wheel, which may be defined by a central longitudinal axis of the front wheel, such as of a hub and/or axle thereof. A “rear brake” is a component configured to resist rotation of a rear wheel of a bicycle with respect to the frame of the bicycle about an axis of rotation of the rear wheel, which may be defined by a central longitudinal axis of the rear wheel, such as of a hub and/or axle thereof. Front and/or rear bicycle brake systems may include rim brakes, disc brakes, or drum brakes. 
     As used herein, the term “suspension system” takes its ordinary meaning in the context of bicycle components, and includes components configured to insulate a rider from vibrations and other rapid movements caused by rough terrain. Front suspension systems may be built into a head tube or fork of the bicycle, and are designed to insulate the rider from vibrations or other rapid movements of the front wheel. Rear suspension systems are available in a variety of different configurations and are designed to insulate the rider from vibrations or other rapid movements of the rear wheel. Front and/or rear suspension systems may each include one or more springs (e.g., coil springs) or pneumatic or other damping systems (e.g., air springs). 
     As used herein, the term “derailleur” takes its ordinary meaning in the context of bicycle components. Derailleurs allow a rider to adjust a transmission ratio between the pedals and the driven, rear wheel of the bicycle. Derailleur systems may include a chain, a plurality of front gears or sprockets of different sizes, each configured to engage with the chain, a plurality of rear gears or sprockets of different sizes, each configured to engage with the chain, a front derailleur configured to move the chain between the front sprockets to adjust the transmission ratio, and a rear derailleur configured to move the chain between the rear sprockets to adjust the transmission ratio and to take up slack in the chain resulting from its movement between the sprockets. Front sprockets are coupled, such as directly and/or rigidly, to the pedals, and rear sprockets are coupled, such as directly and/or rigidly, to the rear wheel, such as to a hub or an axle thereof. 
     As used herein, the term “dropper post” takes its ordinary meaning in the context of bicycle components. Dropper posts are bicycle seat posts or are built into or coupled to bicycle seat posts such that an overall length of the bicycle seat post and/or a distance between the seat of the bicycle and the rest of the frame of the bicycle can be adjusted on the fly, as the bicycle is ridden. 
     Any of these adjustable components, and any other adjustable components of bicycles known in the art, may be controlled by a rider of a bicycle, such as from what is known as the “cockpit” of the bicycle. To do so, the rider may interact with one or more input devices, including electronic input devices and/or mechanical input devices, such as buttons, switches, levers, etc., to control operation of such components. Such input devices may be coupled to the adjustable components by a variety of mechanisms, such as electronic systems or mechanical systems, such as those incorporating Bowden cables, hydraulic hoses, rods, etc. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     A bicycle cockpit lever system may be summarized as comprising: a lever, including a distal portion of the lever, the lever having an opening that extends through the distal portion of the lever; a thumb pad positioned at a first side of the distal portion of the lever and at a first side of the opening; a nut coupled to the thumb pad, the nut having a first set of threads, the nut extending through the opening; and a bolt having a second set of threads complementary to the first set of threads, the bolt having a head portion positioned at a second side of the distal portion of the lever opposite to the first side of the distal portion of the lever and at a second side of the opening opposite to the first side of the opening, the second set of threads of the bolt threadedly engaged with the first set of threads of the nut. 
     The distal portion of the lever may comprise a paddle. The lever may include a recess sunken into the first side of the distal portion of the lever. The lever may include a rim that surrounds the recess, an innermost end wall of the recess, and a side wall of the recess that extends from the rim to the innermost end wall. The innermost end wall of the recess may be planar and the side wall of the recess may be perpendicular to the innermost end wall of the recess. The thumb pad may be seated within the recess. The system may further comprise a thumb pad backer, the thumb pad backer located between the thumb pad and the innermost end wall of the recess. The nut may include a disk, the thumb pad may include a recess, and the disk may be seated within the recess. The bicycle cockpit lever system may be coupled to a bicycle and further comprise a cable, the cable having a first end that is coupled to the lever and a second end opposite to the first end that is coupled to a dropper post of the bicycle. 
     A method of replacing a first thumb pad of a bicycle cockpit lever system with a second thumb pad may be summarized as comprising: threading a first bolt out of a first nut coupled to the first thumb pad; moving the first thumb pad away from a lever of the bicycle cockpit lever system and the first nut out of an opening in the lever; selecting the second thumb pad from a plurality of different thumb pads; moving the second thumb pad toward the lever and a second nut coupled to the second thumb pad into the opening in the lever; and threading a second bolt into the second nut coupled to the second thumb pad. 
     The plurality of different thumb pads may include thumb pads of different thicknesses. The plurality of different thumb pads may include thumb pads of different materials. The method may further comprise removing a thumb pad backer from the bicycle cockpit lever system. The method may further comprise positioning a thumb pad backer between the second thumb pad and the lever. 
     A bicycle cockpit lever system may be summarized as comprising: a lever, including a proximal portion of the lever, the lever having an opening that extends through a center of the proximal portion of the lever; a roller bearing mounted inside the opening at the center of the proximal portion of the lever; and a housing, the housing including: a first plate of the housing; a second plate of the housing that is separable from the first plate of the housing and that is spaced apart from the first plate of the housing such that an internal space of the housing is located between the first plate of the housing and the second plate of the housing; and a bolt that extends through the first plate of the housing and into the second plate of the housing to secure the first plate of the housing to the second plate of the housing such that the proximal portion of the lever is located inside the housing and rotatably mounted to the housing by the roller bearing, wherein the bolt can be removed from the first plate of the housing and the second plate of the housing to allow the second plate of the housing to be disconnected from the first plate of the housing. 
     The proximal portion of the lever may have an overall toroidal shape. The first plate of the housing may be a bottom plate of the housing and the second plate of the housing may be a top plate of the housing. The system may further comprise an internally-threaded projection that is coupled to the second plate of the housing and that extends from the second plate of the housing toward the first plate of the housing through the internal space of the housing. The roller bearing may be mounted on the internally-threaded projection. The bolt may be threaded into the internally-threaded projection. 
     A bicycle cockpit lever system may be summarized as comprising: a housing having an upper surface; a lever that extends outward from the housing; and a mounting bracket having a lower surface configured to engage with the upper surface of the housing such that a position of the housing is continuously adjustable with respect to a position of the mounting bracket. 
     The lower surface of the mounting bracket may be configured to engage with the upper surface of the housing such that a position of the housing is continuously adjustable horizontally with respect to a position of the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket may be configured to mount the housing to a bicycle handlebar. The lower surface of the mounting bracket may be configured to engage with the upper surface of the housing such that a position of the housing is continuously adjustable left-to-right with respect to the handlebar. The mounting bracket may be configured to mount the housing to a brake mounted to a bicycle handlebar. The mounting bracket may be configured to mount the housing to a derailleur shifter mounted to a bicycle handlebar. The upper surface of the housing may include a groove, the lower surface of the mounting bracket may include a projection engaged with the groove; the mounting bracket may include a slot; and the system may further comprise a fastener that extends through the slot and that is threaded into the upper surface of the housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a top, right-side, forward-facing perspective view of a bicycle cockpit lever system. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the same top, right-side, forward-facing perspective view of a lever of the bicycle cockpit lever system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the same top, right-side, forward-facing perspective view of a replaceable thumb pad assembly of the bicycle cockpit lever system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the same top, right-side, forward-facing perspective view of a thumb pad backer of the replaceable thumb pad assembly of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the same top, right-side, forward-facing perspective view of a nut of the replaceable thumb pad assembly of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the same top, right-side, forward-facing perspective view of a screw of the replaceable thumb pad assembly of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a bottom, left-side, rearward-facing perspective view of the bicycle cockpit lever system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  illustrates the same bottom, left-side, rearward-facing perspective view of the lever of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 9  illustrates the same bottom, left-side, rearward-facing perspective view of the replaceable thumb pad assembly of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 10  illustrates the same bottom, left-side, rearward-facing perspective view of a thumb pad of the replaceable thumb pad assembly of  FIGS. 3 and 9 . 
         FIG. 11  illustrates the same bottom, left-side, rearward-facing perspective view of the thumb pad backer of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 12  illustrates the same bottom, left-side, rearward-facing perspective view of the nut of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a top, right-side, rearward-facing perspective view of the bicycle cockpit lever system of  FIGS. 1 and 7 . 
         FIG. 14  illustrates the same top, right-side, rearward-facing perspective view of the lever of  FIGS. 2 and 8 . 
         FIG. 15  illustrates the same top, right-side, rearward-facing perspective view of the replaceable thumb pad assembly of  FIGS. 3 and 9 . 
         FIG. 16  illustrates the same top, right-side, rearward-facing perspective view of the thumb pad of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 17  illustrates the same top, right-side, rearward-facing perspective view of the thumb pad backer of  FIGS. 4 and 11 . 
         FIG. 18  illustrates the same top, right-side, rearward-facing perspective view of the nut of  FIGS. 5 and 12 . 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a bottom, left-side, rearward-facing perspective view of a first portion of a housing of the bicycle cockpit lever system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 20  illustrates a top, left-side, forward-facing perspective view of the first portion of the housing of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 21  illustrates a bottom, left-side perspective view of a second portion of the housing of the bicycle cockpit lever system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 22  illustrates a top perspective view of a screw of the housing of the bicycle cockpit lever system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 23  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the bicycle cockpit lever system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 24  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the housing of the bicycle cockpit lever system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 25  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the replaceable thumb pad assembly of  FIGS. 3, 9, and 15 . 
         FIG. 26  illustrates a bicycle. 
         FIG. 27  illustrates a top, right-side, forward-facing perspective view of another bicycle cockpit lever system. 
         FIG. 28  illustrates a top, left-side, forward-facing perspective view of a lever portion of the bicycle cockpit lever system of  FIG. 27 . 
         FIG. 29  illustrates the same top, left-side, forward-facing perspective view of a replaceable thumb pad assembly of the bicycle cockpit lever system of  FIG. 27 . 
         FIG. 30  illustrates the same top, left-side, forward-facing perspective view of the replaceable thumb pad assembly of  FIG. 29  with a thumb pad thereof removed. 
         FIG. 31  illustrates the same top, left-side, forward-facing perspective view of engaged threaded components of the thumb pad assembly of  FIG. 29 . 
         FIG. 32  illustrates the same top, left-side, forward-facing perspective view of a screw of the thumb pad assembly of  FIG. 29 . 
         FIG. 33  illustrates a top, left-side, rearward-facing perspective view of the lever portion of the bicycle cockpit lever system of  FIG. 27 . 
         FIG. 34  illustrates the same top, left-side, rearward-facing perspective view of the replaceable thumb pad assembly of the bicycle cockpit lever system of  FIG. 27 . 
         FIG. 35  illustrates the same top, left-side, rearward-facing perspective view of the replaceable thumb pad assembly with the screw of  FIG. 32  removed. 
         FIG. 36  illustrates the same top, left-side, rearward-facing perspective view of the replaceable thumb pad assembly with a thumb pad backer thereof and the screw of  FIG. 32  removed. 
         FIG. 37  illustrates a top, right-side, forward-facing perspective view of a housing of the bicycle cockpit lever system of  FIG. 27 . 
         FIG. 38  illustrates a bottom, right-side, forward-facing perspective view of a bracket of the bicycle cockpit lever system of  FIG. 27 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed embodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures associated with the technology have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments. 
     As used herein, terms of orientation or relative elevation such as “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” etc., are used in their conventional sense, that is, with respect to a direction of a force of gravity, such that gravity pulls objects downward. As used herein, terms of orientation or relative location such as “front,” “rear,” etc., are used in their conventional sense with respect to a bicycle, that is, such that a “front” end of the bicycle is the leading end of the bicycle and the “rear” end of the bicycle is the trailing end of the bicycle when the bicycle is ridden in an ordinary fashion. As used herein, terms of orientation or relative location such as “left,” “right,” etc., are used in their conventional sense with respect to the perspective of a rider seated on the bicycle in an ordinary fashion. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a top, right-side, and forward-facing perspective view of a bicycle cockpit lever system  100 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the system  100  includes a hollow housing  102  that houses internal components of the system  100  and to which other components of the system  100 , such as a lever  114  thereof, are coupled. The housing  102  includes a projection  104  that extends upward from a top or an upper surface thereof, and which may have a threaded outer surface. As also illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the system  100  includes a mounting block  106  configured to be securely and rigidly coupled to the frame of a bicycle, and by which the rest of the system  100  may be coupled to the bicycle. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the mounting block  106  includes a slot and the projection  104  of the housing  102  extends through the slot. As also illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the system  100  includes a nut  108  or other component having a threaded internal surface with threads complementary to those of the projection  104 . 
     When the system  100  is in use, the mounting block  106  can be rigidly coupled to a bicycle. The projection  104  of the housing  102  can be positioned to extend through the slot in the mounting block  106 , and the nut  108  can be threaded onto the projection  104  until a portion of the mounting block  106  surrounding the slot is sandwiched and held by friction between the top surface of the housing  102  and a bottom surface of the nut  108 , thereby securing the housing  102  to the mounting block  106  and thus to the bicycle. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the housing  102  includes a first threaded bore hole  110  that extends substantially left-to-right and at a shallow angle with respect to, and into, a rear surface of the housing  102 . An internal surface of the first threaded bore hole  110  is threaded. As further illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the system  100  includes a first threaded set screw  112  having threads complementary to the threads of the first threaded bore hole  110 , such that the first threaded set screw  112  can be threaded into and/or out of the first threaded bore hole  110 . When the system  100  is in use, the first threaded set screw  112  can be used to adjust a starting or baseline location or orientation of the lever  114  with respect to the housing  102 . The first threaded set screw  112  is located and oriented such that it is visible from a forward-facing perspective, that is, from behind or from the perspective of a rider of the bicycle, such that adjustment of the first threaded set screw  112  is simpler and easier than if the first threaded set screw  112  was located elsewhere and/or otherwise oriented. 
       FIG. 1  further illustrates that the system  100  includes the lever  114 , which extends from inside the housing  102  to outside the housing  102 , and a removable thumb pad assembly  116  coupled to a distal end portion of the lever  114 . The removable thumb pad assembly  116  includes a thumb pad  118  configured to be pressed by a rider using their thumb while riding the bicycle. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the lever  114  of the system  100  isolated from the rest of the system  100 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the lever  114  has a distal end portion  124  that, when in use, is located outside the housing  102 , and a proximal end portion  126  that, when in use, is located inside the housing  102 . At a central portion of the lever  114  located between the distal end portion  124  and the proximal end portion  126  thereof, where the distal end portion  124  is joined to the proximal end portion  126 , the lever  114  includes a second threaded bore hole  120  that extends substantially front-to-back and substantially directly into a rear surface of the lever  114 . An internal surface of the second threaded bore hole  120  is threaded. As further illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the system  100  includes a second threaded set screw  122  having threads complementary to the threads of the second threaded bore hole  120 , such that the second threaded set screw  122  can be threaded into and/or out of the second threaded bore hole  120 . When the system  100  is in use, the second threaded set screw  122  can be used to secure an end portion of a wire or a cable, such as of a Bowden cable, to the system  100 , as described further elsewhere herein. The second threaded set screw  122  is located and oriented such that it is visible from a forward-facing perspective, that is, from behind or from the perspective of a rider of the bicycle, such that adjustment of the second threaded set screw  122  is simpler and easier than if the second threaded set screw  122  was located elsewhere and/or otherwise oriented. 
     The central portion of the lever  114  has a first, rear surface  140  that extends up-and-down and generally or substantially side-to-side or left-to-right, and which faces rearward, and in which the bore hole  120  is formed. The central portion of the lever  114  also has a second, side surface  142  that extends up-and-down and generally or substantially front-to-back, and generally or substantially parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the bore hole  120 , which faces sideways or right-ward, and which adjoins or meets the first surface  140  at a corner of the central portion of the lever  114 . 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the distal end portion  124  of the lever  114  comprises a paddle, or is generally paddle-shaped or has an overall shape generally resembling the profile of a paddle. When the distal end portion  124  of the lever  114  is viewed from a forward-facing perspective, that is, from behind or from the perspective of a rider of the bicycle, its profile initially increases as it extends distally outward and to the left from the central portion of the lever  114 , and then eventually decreases as it extends further distally outward and to the left from the central portion of the lever  114 . In particular, a top edge of the profile of the distal end portion  124  extends initially substantially horizontally leftward outward away from the central portion of the lever  114  and then both leftward and downward, while a bottom edge of the profile of the distal end portion  124  extends both leftward and downward away from the central portion of the lever  114  and then substantially horizontally leftward further outward away from the central portion of the lever  114  until the top edge of the profile and the bottom edge of the profile meet one another at a lower left-hand corner of the distal end portion  124  of the lever  114 . The profile of the distal end portion  124  of the lever  114  thus has an overall shape that is trapezoidal, and in some cases comprises or approximates a parallelogram. 
       FIG. 2  also illustrates that the distal end portion  124  of the lever  114  has an indentation, a depression, a cavity, or a recess  128  formed in a rear major face or surface thereof. When viewed from a forward-facing perspective, that is, from behind or from the perspective of a rider of the bicycle, the recess  128  fills a substantial majority of the profile of the distal end portion  124  of the lever  114 , such that a relatively small rim  130  extends around the periphery of the profile of the distal end portion  124  of the lever  114 , such as along the upper and lower edges thereof, and around the recess  128 . When viewed from a forward-facing perspective, that is, from behind or from the perspective of a rider of the bicycle, the rim  130  has a constant or substantially constant thickness along its entire length around the periphery of the profile of the distal end portion  124  of the lever  114 . 
     An innermost base or end surface of the recess  128  (which is, in a global sense with respect to the system  100  and/or the bicycle to which the system  100  is coupled as a whole, a front or forward-most surface of the recess  128 ) is planar, such that planar surfaces of other components of the system  100  can be seated flush against the innermost base or end surface of the recess  128 . The innermost base or end surface of the recess  128  also extends horizontally side-to-side or left-to-right, or substantially horizontally side-to-side or left-to-right, and/or vertically up-and-down, or substantially vertically up-and-down. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 2 , an outer peripheral edge or boundary of the recess  128  and an inner peripheral edge or boundary of the rim  130  are formed or otherwise defined by a wall having a surface  132  that extends around the outer periphery of the recess  128  and around the inner periphery of the rim  130 . Thus, the exposed surface  132  of the wall forms a loop around the recess  128 , forms sidewalls of the cavity, faces inward toward the recess  128  along its entire length, and defines a depth of the innermost base or end surface of the recess  128  with respect to an outermost end surface of the rim  130 . The surface  132  extends along its entire length around the recess  128  in a direction perpendicular to the innermost base or end surface of the recess  128 , such that other components of the system  100  having outer side edges perpendicular to the planar surface(s) thereof can be more easily inserted into, seated snugly within, and/or removed from the recess  128 . Because the rim  130  has a constant or substantially constant thickness along its entire length around the periphery of the profile of the distal end portion  124  of the lever  114 , the surface  132  of the wall has an overall shape matching or substantially corresponding to the overall shape of the profile of the distal end portion  124  of the lever  114  described elsewhere herein. 
       FIG. 2  also illustrates that the distal end portion  124  of the lever  114  has an aperture or an opening  134  that extends completely through the distal end portion  124  of the lever  114 , horizontally front-to-back or substantially horizontally front-to-back from the innermost base or end surface of the recess  128  to a front and/or forward-facing surface of the distal end portion  124  of the lever  114 . When viewed from a forward-facing perspective, that is, from behind or from the perspective of a rider of the bicycle, the opening  134  has a circular profile (such that it has an overall cylindrical shape) and fills a relatively small portion of the overall profile of the distal end portion  124  of the lever  114 . For example, when viewed from a forward-facing perspective, the circular shape of the opening  134  may have a diameter that is less than a third or less than a quarter of the width of the recess  128 , and/or that is less than half or less than a third of the height of the recess  128 . The opening  134  has a central longitudinal axis that is perpendicular to the innermost base or end surface of the recess  128  and parallel to the surface  132 . Thus, a cylindrical surface of the distal end portion  124  of the lever  114  that faces inward toward the opening  134 , and thereby defines an outer periphery of the opening  134 , is parallel to the surface  132 , such that other components of the system  100  having outer side edges perpendicular to the planar surface(s) thereof to be seated flush against the innermost base surface of the recess  128  can be more easily inserted into, seated snugly within, and/or removed from the opening  134 . 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the proximal end portion  126  of the lever  114  comprises a disk having an aperture or an opening  138  extending through a center of the disk and along a central longitudinal axis of the disk. Thus, the proximal end portion  126  of the lever  114  has an overall shape comprising a torus or a toroid. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the toroidal shape of the proximal end portion  126  of the lever  114  and the opening  138  formed therein share a common central longitudinal axis that is vertical, parallel to the innermost end surface of the recess  128 , and/or perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the opening  134 , or that is substantially vertical, substantially parallel to the innermost end surface of the recess  128 , and/or substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the opening  134 . 
       FIG. 2  also illustrates that the proximal end portion  126  of the lever  114  includes a groove  136  that extends around a portion of an outer peripheral edge of its toroidal shape, from a location where the proximal end portion  126  of the lever  114  meets and is joined to the central portion of the lever  114 , where the groove  136  runs into the side surface  142  thereof, to a location at least 90 or at least 100 degrees about the outer peripheral edge of the toroidal shape from the side surface  142  in a counter-clockwise direction when viewed from above. At the end of the groove  136  at the location where the outer peripheral edge of the toroidal shape meets the side surface  142 , the groove  136  terminates at an un-threaded bore hole  144  that extends substantially left-to-right and into the side surface  142  of the central portion of the lever  114 . An internal surface of the un-threaded bore hole  144  is not threaded and is instead smooth. A cable, a wire, or another similar component can extend through the bore hole  144  and through the groove  136  so that the cable or wire can smoothly move longitudinally through the bore hole  144  and the groove  136 . The threaded bore hole  120  can intersect the bore hole  144  and terminate where it intersects the bore hole  144 , such that the set screw  122  can be threaded into the threaded bore hole  120  to secure the cable or wire extending through the bore hole  144  and the groove  136  to the lever  114 , such as by friction. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the replaceable thumb pad assembly  116 , including the thumb pad  118 , isolated from the rest of the system  100 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , when viewed from a forward-facing perspective, that is, from behind or from the perspective of a rider of the bicycle, portions of the replaceable thumb pad assembly  116 , including its thumb pad  118 , have an outer profile matching or corresponding to the shape or outer profile of the recess  128 , such that the portions of the assembly  116  can be seated snugly within the recess  128 .  FIG. 4  illustrates a thumb pad backer  146  of the replaceable thumb pad assembly  116  isolated from the rest of the system  100 . The thumb pad backer  146  comprises a relatively thin sheet of material, such as a relatively thin sheet of metal, and, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , when viewed from a forward-facing perspective, that is, from behind or from the perspective of a rider of the bicycle, has an outer profile matching or corresponding to the shape or outer profile of the recess  128 , such that the thumb pad backer  146  can be seated snugly within the recess  128 . As further illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the thumb pad backer  146  has a relatively large aperture or opening  148  that extends front-to-back completely through the thumb pad backer  146 . The opening  148  has a diameter that is at least half the width of the thumb pad backer  146  and that is at least half the height of the thumb pad backer  146 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a nut  150  of the replaceable thumb pad assembly  116 . As illustrated in the forward-facing view of  FIG. 5 , a rear end of the nut  150  comprises a disk  152  having a diameter matching that of the opening  148  formed in the thumb pad backer  146 . Thus, the disk  152  can be seated within the opening  148  when the replaceable thumb pad assembly  116  is fully assembled and/or in use.  FIG. 6  illustrates a bolt or screw  154  of the replaceable thumb pad assembly  116 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the screw  154  includes a threaded portion  156  and a head portion  158 . 
       FIGS. 7-12  illustrate bottom, left-side, and rearward-facing perspective views of the bicycle cockpit lever system  100 , the lever  114 , the replaceable thumb pad assembly  116 , the thumb pad  118 , the thumb pad backer  146 , and the nut  150 , respectively. As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the thumb pad  118  has a generally planar front surface  160  with a recess  162  formed therein that is sunken and extends rearward with respect to the surrounding front surface  160  of the thumb pad  118 . The recess  162  has a generally circular overall profile and a generally cylindrical overall shape that corresponds to or matches the shape of the disk  152  of the nut  150 , such that the disk  152  of the nut  150  can be seated snugly within the recess  162  of the thumb pad  118 . The recess  162  extends horizontally front-to-back or substantially horizontally front-to-back into and partially through the thumb pad  118 . When viewed from a rearward-facing perspective, that is, from in front, the recess  162  fills a relatively large portion of the overall profile of the thumb pad  118 . For example, the recess  162  has a diameter that is at least half the width of the thumb pad  118  and that is at least half the height of the thumb pad  118 . An innermost base or end surface of the recess  162  may be planar and parallel to the front surface  160  of the thumb pad and a cylindrical surface extending from the innermost base or end surface of the recess  162  to the front surface  160  of the thumb pad  118  may be perpendicular to both the innermost base or end surface of the recess  162  and the front surface  160  of the thumb pad  118 . As further illustrated in  FIG. 10 , a peripheral outer surface  164  of the thumb pad  118 , which may be perpendicular to the front surface  160  of the thumb pad  118 , extends completely around the outer periphery of the thumb pad  118 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the nut  150  includes an internally-threaded locking portion  166  coupled to the disk  152 . The internally-threaded locking portion  166  comprises a hollow cylindrical body having a central longitudinal axis coincident with a central longitudinal axis of the disk  152 . The locking portion  166  has a smooth cylindrical outer surface and a threaded cylindrical internal surface having threads complementary to the threads of the threaded portion  156  of the screw  154 , such that the screw  154  can be threaded into or out of the locking portion  166  of the nut  150 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates the components of the removable thumb pad assembly  116  in an assembled state. As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , when the removable thumb pad assembly  116  is assembled, the peripheral outer surface  164  of the thumb pad  118  is parallel to, aligned with, and adjacent to a peripheral outer surface of the thumb pad backer  146 . Further, a rear surface of the disk  152  of the nut  150  is flush against the innermost base or end surface of the recess  162  formed in the thumb pad  118 , the planar front surface  160  of the thumb pad  118  is flush against a planar rear surface of the thumb pad backer  146 , and a planar front surface of the thumb pad backer  146  is flush with a front surface of the disk  152  of the nut  150 . Thus, when the system  100  is assembled, the flush planar front surfaces of the thumb pad backer  146  and of the disk  152  of the nut  150  lie flush against the innermost base or end surface of the recess  128  formed in the distal end portion  124  of the lever  114 , and the locking portion  166  extends through the opening  134  in the distal end portion  124  of the lever  114 . In such an arrangement, the disk  152  of the nut  150  prevents the removable thumb pad assembly  116  from moving forward with respect to the lever  114  and the head portion  158  of the screw  154  prevents the removable thumb pad assembly  116  from moving rearward with respect to the lever  114 , such that the removable thumb pad assembly  116  is locked in place with respect to the lever  114 . 
       FIGS. 13-18  illustrate top, right-side, and rearward-facing perspective views of the bicycle cockpit lever system  100 , the lever  114 , the replaceable thumb pad assembly  116 , the thumb pad  118 , the thumb pad backer  146 , and the nut  150 , respectively. 
     A method of assembling the removable thumb pad assembly  116  and coupling the removable thumb pad assembly  116  to the lever  114  includes seating the disk  152  of the nut  150  within the recess  162  of the thumb pad  118  as described elsewhere herein, and securely coupling or fastening the nut  150  to the thumb pad  118  in this configuration, such as with an adhesive, or otherwise providing or obtaining the nut  150  and the thumb pad  118  in such a configuration. The method may further include seating the thumb pad backer  146  on the thumb pad  118  such that the disk  152  of the nut  150  is positioned within the opening  148  in the thumb pad backer  146 , and securely coupling or fastening the thumb pad backer  146  to the thumb pad  118  in this configuration, such as with an adhesive, or otherwise providing or obtaining the thumb pad backer  146  and the thumb pad  118  in such a configuration. The method may further include inserting the internally-threaded locking portion  166  of the nut  150  into and through the opening  134  of the lever  114  until the locking portion  166  of the nut  150  is positioned within the opening  134 , and the thumb pad backer  146  and the thumb pad  118  are seated within the recess  128  in the distal portion  124  of the lever  114 , such that the planar front surface of the thumb pad backer  146  is flush against the planar innermost base or end surface of the recess  128 , and such that the peripheral edges of the thumb pad backer  146  and of the thumb pad  118  are engaged with the surface  132  of the wall of the distal portion of the lever  114 . The method further includes threading the threaded portion  156  of the screw  154  into the internally-threaded locking portion  166  of the nut  150  until the head portion  158  of the screw  154  engages a front surface of the distal portion  124  of the lever  114 , thereby locking the removable thumb pad assembly  116  to the lever  114 . 
     In some alternative implementations, the method includes providing or obtaining the thumb pad backer  146  separated or separately from the thumb pad  118  and the nut  150 , such that the thumb pad backer  146  is not securely coupled to the thumb pad  118  or to the nut  150 . In such implementations, the method may include seating the thumb pad backer  146  on the thumb pad  118  such that the disk  152  of the nut  150  is positioned within the opening  148  in the thumb pad backer  146 , or seating the thumb pad backer  146  in the recess  128  in the distal portion  124  of the lever  114  such that the front surface of the thumb pad backer  146  is flush against the innermost base or end surface of the recess  128 . The method may further include inserting the internally-threaded locking portion  166  of the nut  150  into and through the opening  134  of the lever  114  until the locking portion  166  of the nut  150  is positioned within the opening  134 , and the thumb pad backer  146  and the thumb pad  118  are seated within the recess  128  in the distal portion  124  of the lever  114 , such that the planar front surface of the thumb pad backer  146  is flush against the planar innermost base or end surface of the recess  128 , such that the front surface of the thumb pad  118  is flush against the rear surface of the thumb pad backer  146 , and such that the peripheral edges of the thumb pad backer  146  and of the thumb pad  118  are engaged with the surface  132  of the wall of the distal portion of the lever  114 . The method further includes threading the threaded portion  156  of the screw  154  into the internally-threaded locking portion  166  of the nut  150  until the head portion  158  of the screw  154  engages a front surface of the distal portion  124  of the lever  114 , thereby locking the removable thumb pad assembly  116  to the lever  114 . 
     A method of disassembling the removable thumb pad assembly  116  and removing the removable thumb pad assembly  116  from the lever  114  includes threading the threaded portion  156  of the screw  154  out of the internally-threaded locking portion  166  of the nut  150  and then removing the screw  154  from the system  100  such that the removable thumb pad assembly  116  is no longer locked to the lever  114 . The method further includes removing the thumb pad  118 , the thumb pad backer  146 , and the nut  150  from the system  100 . 
     In some implementations, these methods can be used to rapidly replace or exchange different removable thumb pad assemblies  116  from the system  100  and/or from a bicycle. For example, before riding a bicycle, a rider of the bicycle may select one of a plurality of different removable thumb pad assemblies  116 , such as one having a thumb pad  118  made of a personally preferred material (e.g., injection molded silicone, rubber, polymer, or metal, which may have a machined surface, etc.), having a preferred thickness, and/or in a preferred color (e.g., teal, orange, grey, black, red, etc.), and then quickly install the removable thumb pad assembly onto the system  100  and the bicycle. As another example, before riding a bicycle, a rider of the bicycle may select one of a plurality of different removable thumb pad assemblies  116 , and then quickly remove a less preferred thumb pad assembly from the bicycle and then install the preferred removable thumb pad assembly  116  onto the system. Such methods may also be used to remove the thumb pad assembly  116  for cleaning or other maintenance, or for replacement if damaged and/or worn out. 
     As discussed elsewhere herein, the system  100  includes a hollow housing  102  that houses internal components of the system  100  and to which other components of the system  100 , such as the lever  114 , are coupled. The housing  102  is formed from two distinct housing portions or components, specifically, a first housing component  168 , which may be a front and bottom housing component, and a second housing component  170 , which may be a top and rear housing component.  FIGS. 19 and 20  illustrate different perspective views of the first housing component  168 . In particular, as illustrated in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , the first housing component  168  includes a bottom plate portion  172  of the housing  102 , an aperture or an opening  174  that extends generally vertically through the bottom plate portion  172  of the housing  102 , and a groove or a countersink  176  formed in a bottom end surface of the bottom plate portion  172  that surrounds the opening  174  and is configured to receive the head of a screw or bolt extending through the opening  174 . 
       FIG. 21  illustrates a perspective view of the second housing component  170 . In particular, as illustrated in  FIG. 21 , the second housing component  170  includes a top plate portion  178  of the housing  102 , the projection  104 , which is integrally coupled to or an integral component of the top plate portion  178  of the housing  102 , and the first threaded bore hole  110 . As illustrated in  FIG. 21 , the second housing component  170  also includes a projection or an internally-threaded locking portion  180  coupled to an underside or bottom surface of the top plate portion  178  and projecting downward therefrom. The internally-threaded locking portion  180  comprises a hollow cylindrical body having a smooth cylindrical outer surface and a threaded cylindrical inner surface. 
       FIG. 22  illustrates a perspective view of a bolt or a screw  182  of the housing  102  that can be used to couple the first housing component  168  to the second housing component  170 . The screw  182  has a threaded portion  184  having threads complementary to the threads of the internal surface of the internally-threaded locking portion  180  of the second housing component  170 , such that the screw  182  can be threaded into or out of the locking portion  180  of the second housing component  170 . A method of assembling the housing  102  of the system  100  may include initially coupling various components of the system  100  to the first housing component  168  and/or the second housing component  170 , and/or positioning various components of the system  100  within the first housing component  168  and/or the second housing component  170 . The method may further include positioning the first housing component  168  and the second housing component  170  adjacent to one another, such that the opening  174  in the first housing component  168  is aligned and concentric with the locking portion  180  of the second housing component  170 . The method may further include inserting the screw  182  into and through the opening  174  and then threading the screw  182  into the locking portion  180  of the second housing component  170  until the first housing component  168  is secured to the second housing component  170  and the head portion of the screw  182  is seated within the countersink  176 . These actions may be reversed to take apart or disassemble the housing  102  and the system  100 . 
       FIG. 23  illustrates a top-down cross-sectional view of the assembled system  100 ,  FIG. 24  illustrates a side-to-side cross-sectional view of the system  100  showing the housing  102  and components housed therein, and  FIG. 25  illustrates a side-to-side cross-sectional view of the replaceable thumb pad assembly  116  in an assembled state. As illustrated in  FIGS. 23 and 24 , the system  100  may include a roller bearing  186  that includes an inner race securely and snugly engaged with the smooth outer surface of the internally-threaded locking portion  180 , an outer race securely and snugly engaged with an inner surface of the toroidal shape of the proximal end portion  126  of the lever  114 , and a set of ball bearings mounted between the inner and outer races, such that the inner and outer races can rotate with respect to one another with very little friction about a vertical or substantially vertical axis, or about an axis coincident with central longitudinal axes of the threaded portion  184  of the screw  182 , the internally-threaded locking portion  180 , and the toroidal shape of the proximal end portion  126  of the lever  114  and the opening  138  therein. Thus, the roller bearing  186  allows the lever  114  and the housing  102  to rotate with respect to one another with very little friction about a vertical or substantially vertical axis, or about an axis coincident with central longitudinal axes of the threaded portion  184  of the screw  182 , the internally-threaded locking portion  180 , and the toroidal shape of the proximal end portion  126  of the lever  114  and the opening  138  therein. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 23 , the system  100  may include a wire, a cable, or other similar component, such as a Bowden cable  188 , which can mechanically couple the lever  114  to another component of the bicycle to be actuated, such as a dropper post thereof. As illustrated in  FIG. 23 , the cable can extend from the other component of the bicycle, such as from the dropper post, into the housing  102 , through the groove  136 , and at least partially through the un-threaded bore hole  144 . An end of the cable  188 , which may be an end of an inner portion of the cable  188  exposed from a sheath portion of the cable  188 , can be secured in place within the bore hole  144  by the set screw  122 . Specifically, the set screw  122  can be threaded into the bore hole  120  until the end of the cable  188  is held in place by friction between a terminal end portion of the set screw  122  and an opposing surface of the bore hole  144 . The set screw  122  can also be threaded out of the bore hole  120  until the end of the cable  188  is no longer held in place by friction between the terminal end portion of the set screw  122  and the opposing surface of the bore hole  144  to allow the cable  188  to be removed from the system  100 . 
     When the system  100  is assembled, coupled to a bicycle, and in operation, a rider of the bicycle can press on the thumb pad  118 , such as with their thumb, to rotate the lever  114  clockwise when viewed from above about the central longitudinal axis of the roller bearing  186  with respect to the housing  102 . When the rider does so, the lever&#39;s attachment to the end of the cable  188  draws or pulls the cable  188  further into the housing  102 . Because the opposing end of the cable  188  is mechanically coupled to another component of the bicycle to be actuated, such movement of the cable  188  (e.g., of an internal portion thereof extending through a sheath thereof) can actuate the other component of the bicycle. As examples, the opposing end of the cable  188  can be coupled to front and/or rear brake systems, front and/or rear suspension systems, front and/or rear derailleur systems, and/or a dropper post, to allow the rider to actuate such components by pushing on the thumb pad  118 . In one very specific example, pressing on the thumb pad  118  can release a lock preventing adjustment of a dropper post of the bicycle, such that once the rider presses the thumb pad  118 , the rider can adjust the dropper post and thereby adjust a height of a seat of the bicycle with respect to a frame of the bicycle, and can do so “on the fly,” as the rider is riding the bicycle. 
     Any of the components of the system  100  described herein may be fabricated by forging and/or by CNC machining. The system  100  described and illustrated herein is configured to be mounted to a left side of a bicycle, such as to a left side of a set of handlebars of the bicycle, and is configured to be actuated by a rider&#39;s left hand. In alternative implementations, however, a system configured to be mounted to a right side of a bicycle, such as to a right side of a set of handlebars of the bicycle, and configured to be actuated by a rider&#39;s right hand, may be a mirror image of the system  100 .  FIG. 26  illustrates one example of a bicycle to which the system  100  may be coupled and with which the system  100  may be used. 
       FIGS. 27-38  illustrate various views of another bicycle cockpit lever system  200 . For example,  FIG. 27  illustrates a top, right-side, and forward-facing perspective view of the bicycle cockpit lever system  200 . As illustrated in  FIG. 27 , the system  200  includes a hollow housing  202  that houses internal components of the system  200  and to which other components of the system  200 , such as a lever  214  thereof, are coupled. As also illustrated in  FIG. 27 , the system  200  includes a mounting clip or bracket  206  configured to be securely and rigidly coupled to the frame of a bicycle, such as to a handlebar of the bicycle, and by which the rest of the system  200  may be coupled to the bicycle.  FIG. 27  further illustrates that the system  200  includes the lever  214 , which extends from inside the housing  202  to outside the housing  202 , and a removable thumb pad assembly  216  coupled to a distal end portion of the lever  214 . The removable thumb pad assembly  216  includes a thumb pad  218  configured to be pressed by a rider using their thumb while riding the bicycle. The bicycle cockpit lever system  200  and any or all of its components may have or incorporate any of the features of the bicycle cockpit lever system  100  and any or all of its components described elsewhere herein. Similarly, the bicycle cockpit lever system  100  and any or all of its components may have or incorporate any of the features of the bicycle cockpit lever system  200  as described herein. That is, the features of the bicycle cockpit lever system  100  and of the bicycle cockpit lever system  200  may be combined with each other. 
       FIG. 28  illustrates the lever  214  of the system  200 , and the removable thumb pad assembly  216  coupled thereto, isolated from the rest of the system  200 .  FIG. 29  illustrates the removable thumb pad assembly  216  isolated from the rest of the system  200 , including the lever  214 . As illustrated in  FIG. 29 , the removable thumb pad assembly  216  includes a thumb pad  218  coupled to a thumb pad backer  246  by an adhesive layer, which may be a double-sided tape.  FIG. 30  illustrates the removable thumb pad assembly  216  with the thumb pad  218  and the adhesive layer thereof removed. Specifically,  FIG. 30  illustrates a rearward-facing surface of the thumb pad backer  246 .  FIG. 31  illustrates the removable thumb pad assembly  216  with the thumb pad  218 , the adhesive layer, and a portion of the thumb pad backer  246  thereof removed. Specifically,  FIG. 31  illustrates a threaded insert  249 , which is a component of the thumb pad backer  246 , and a bolt or screw  254  of the replaceable thumb pad assembly  216 .  FIG. 32  illustrates the screw  254  of the removable thumb pad assembly  216 . 
       FIG. 33  illustrates the lever  214  of the system  200 , and the removable thumb pad assembly  216  coupled thereto, isolated from the rest of the system  200 .  FIG. 34  illustrates the removable thumb pad assembly  216  isolated from the rest of the system  200 , including the lever  214 . As illustrated in  FIG. 34 , the removable thumb pad assembly  216  includes a thumb pad  218  coupled to a thumb pad backer  246  by an adhesive layer.  FIG. 35  illustrates the removable thumb pad assembly  216  with the screw  254  thereof removed. Specifically,  FIG. 35  illustrates a forward-facing surface of the thumb pad backer  246 .  FIG. 36  illustrates the removable thumb pad assembly  216  with the screw  254  and the thumb pad backer  246  thereof removed. Specifically,  FIG. 36  illustrates the adhesive layer  247  and the thumb pad  218 . 
     A difference between the removable thumb pad assembly  216  of the system  200  and the removable thumb pad assembly  116  of the system  100  is that the removable thumb pad assembly  216  combines the thumb pad backer  146  and the nut  150  into a single component, namely, the thumb pad backer  246 . As illustrated in  FIG. 35 , the thumb pad backer  246  includes a plate portion  246   a  configured to be positioned and seated within a recess in the lever  214 , and a nut portion  246   b  that protrudes from a forward-facing surface of the plate portion  246   a  of the thumb pad backer  246 . In some embodiments, the nut portion  246   b  includes an outer, hollow cylindrical or annular portion made of a first material, such as plastic, and an inner, hollow cylindrical or annular portion made of a second material, such as a metal, which may be stronger and/or more rigid than the first material, where the inner portion is located inside of and concentrically with the outer portion. 
     The inner portion of the nut portion  246   b  of the thumb pad backer  246  may be referred to as a threaded insert  249 . As illustrated in  FIG. 31 , the threaded insert  249  has a front portion and a rear portion, each having a distinct set of external threads, one of which includes right-handed threads and the other of which includes left-handed threads. These external threads provide rotational engagement with the outer portion of the nut portion  246   b  of the thumb pad backer  246 . For example, the first material (e.g., plastic) of the outer portion of the nut portion  246   b  of the thumb pad backer  246  may be co-molded with or over the outer or external threads of the threaded insert  249 , thereby rotationally locking the outer portion of the nut portion  246   b  of the thumb pad backer  246  to the threaded insert  249 . The threaded insert  249  also has internal threads complementary to outer threads of the screw  254 , such that the screw  254  can be threaded into the internal threads of the threaded insert  249 . Thus, by providing the threaded insert  249 , made of a stronger material than the rest of the thumb pad backer  246 , overall engagement of the thumb pad assembly  216  with the lever  214  may be stronger than in embodiments that do not use such a threaded insert. 
     A method of assembling the removable thumb pad assembly  216  and coupling the removable thumb pad assembly  216  to the lever  214  may include inserting the nut portion  246   b  of the thumb pad backer  246  into and through an opening in the lever  214  until the threaded insert  249  is positioned within the opening, and the plate portion  246   a  of the thumb pad backer  246  and the thumb pad  218  are seated within a recess in the distal portion of the lever  214 . The method further includes threading a threaded portion of the screw  254  into the internal threads of the threaded insert  249  until a head portion of the screw  254  engages a front surface of the distal portion of the lever  214 , thereby locking the removable thumb pad assembly  216  to the lever  214 . 
     A method of disassembling the removable thumb pad assembly  216  and removing the removable thumb pad assembly  216  from the lever  214  includes threading the threaded portion of the screw  254  out of the internal threads of the threaded insert  249  and then removing the screw  254  from the system  200  such that the removable thumb pad assembly  216  is no longer locked to the lever  214 . The method further includes removing the thumb pad  218  and the thumb pad backer  246  from the rest of the system  200 . 
       FIG. 37  illustrates a perspective view of the housing  202  of the bicycle cockpit lever system  200 . As illustrated in  FIG. 37 , the housing  202  includes a groove  207  that extends substantially side-to-side or left-to-right across a top or upper surface of the housing  202 . As further illustrated in  FIG. 37 , the housing  202  includes a threaded screw or bolt  203  threaded into the top or upper surface of the housing  202 .  FIG. 38  illustrates a perspective view of a mounting bracket  206  of the bicycle cockpit lever system  200  that, in use, is coupled to the top or upper surface of the housing  202 . As illustrated in  FIG. 38 , the mounting bracket  206  includes a slot  205  that extends substantially side-to-side or left-to-right across a bottom or lower surface of the mounting bracket  206  and in a direction parallel to the groove  207 . As further illustrated in  FIG. 38 , the mounting bracket  206  includes a ridge or projection  209  that extends downward from the bottom or lower surface of the mounting bracket  206 . In some embodiments, the ridge or projection  209  extends substantially side-to-side or left-to-right across the bottom or lower surface of the mounting bracket  206  and in a direction parallel to the groove  207 . 
     To couple the mounting bracket  206  to the housing  202 , the bottom surface of the mounting bracket  206  is positioned flush against the top surface of the housing  202  with the ridge or projection  209  positioned within and engaged with the groove  207 . The threaded screw or bolt  203  is then positioned to extend from above the mounting bracket  206 , through the slot  205  in the mounting bracket  206 , and into the top surface of the housing  202 . Once in this configuration, the housing  202  and the mounting bracket  206  can move substantially side-to-side or left-to-right with respect to one another. As the components move in this manner, the ridge or projection  209  travels through the groove  207  and the threaded screw or bolt  203  travels through the slot  205 . For example, if the mounting bracket  206  has already been rigidly secured to a bicycle handlebar, then the housing  202  can be moved with respect to the mounting bracket  206  to adjust a location of the lever  214  to improve its usability for a particular rider of the particular bicycle to which it is mounted. Thus, a horizontal location of the housing  202  is continuously or infinitely adjustable or variable with respect to the handlebar of the bicycle to which it is mounted, rather than being variable in increments or adjustable in steps. 
     Once a desirable location has been reached, the threaded screw or bolt  203  can be threaded into the housing  202  until a portion of the mounting bracket  206  surrounding the slot  205  is sandwiched and held by friction between the top surface of the housing  202  and a bottom surface of a head of the threaded screw or bolt  203 , thereby securing the housing  202  to the mounting bracket  206  and thus to the bicycle. The dual engagement of the threaded screw or bolt  203  with the slot  205  and the ridge or projection  209  with the groove  207  prevents rotation of the housing  202  with respect to the mounting bracket  206 , even if the threaded screw or bolt  203  begins to thread out of the housing  202  or is otherwise slightly loose. The mounting bracket  206  is configured to mount the housing  202  to bicycle handlebars. In additional embodiments other mounting brackets are configured to mount the housing  202  to other bicycle components, such as brakes, derailleur controllers or shifters, etc. In such additional embodiments, the mounting brackets may have the same features described herein for the mounting bracket  206 , including the ridge or projection  209  and the slot  205 , such that in such additional embodiments, the housing  202  is adjustable with respect to the additional mounting brackets as described herein for the mounting bracket  206 . 
     The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.