TRF90
Active member
Heel and toe shifters form a great dividing line amongst Trail 125 riders. Do you re-mount them up one spline or down one spline? Do you get out the hacksaw to cut off the heel portion? Do you find another shifter entirely that fits both the spline and your foot size and leave the old heel and toe far behind? Or do you just learn to live with it and even, in time, begin to appreciate it?
For the record, I had intended to cut the heel portion off originally, but decided to begin by rotating the toe portion up one spline on the shift shaft. For my shoe size and riding style, the heel portion has stayed out of the way and is not bothersome when I stand. More importantly, I've come to appreciate the heel portion going up through the gears on the street. With the auto clutch, the shift throw is a bit longer than most modern bikes. That can make for a slow or even missed shift if you're a little lazy with rotating your foot. But one quick stomp with the heel, and the upshifting is smooth and immediate. The heel portion is also useful when wearing shoes you don't want to scuff. I think that was the original reason for the heel and toe shifter to start with.
I'm still a diehard toe shifter on other bikes, but I'm pretty happy now with the heel and toe on my Trail 125. What do you think?
For the record, I had intended to cut the heel portion off originally, but decided to begin by rotating the toe portion up one spline on the shift shaft. For my shoe size and riding style, the heel portion has stayed out of the way and is not bothersome when I stand. More importantly, I've come to appreciate the heel portion going up through the gears on the street. With the auto clutch, the shift throw is a bit longer than most modern bikes. That can make for a slow or even missed shift if you're a little lazy with rotating your foot. But one quick stomp with the heel, and the upshifting is smooth and immediate. The heel portion is also useful when wearing shoes you don't want to scuff. I think that was the original reason for the heel and toe shifter to start with.
I'm still a diehard toe shifter on other bikes, but I'm pretty happy now with the heel and toe on my Trail 125. What do you think?