Change-speed lever apparatus for use in bicycle

A speed change lever apparatus for use in a bicycle, the apparatus comprising:

• a fixed member,
• a winding member pivotably supported by the fixed member for winding up a speed change control cable, the winding member being normally urged in a cable rewinding direction, and
• a cable-pulling lever supported by the fixed member and operable against an urging force along the cable rewinding direction thereby to effect a speed change by rotating the winding member in a cable winding direction,
• a position maintaining mechanism including a first engaging member and a first engaging portion having a plurality of recesses and stepwisely engageable with the first engaging member to maintain a position of the winding member through engagement between the first engaging member and the first engaging portion,
• a release lever supported by the fixed member and operable to release the engagement between the first engaging member and the first engaging portion to effect a speed change by rotating the winding member in the rewinding direction under the urging force along the rewinding direction, and
• a limiting mechanism including a second engaging portion having a plurality of recesses and a second engaging member stepwisely engageable with the second engaging portion with an operation of the release lever to limit a pivotal amount of the winding member in the cable rewinding direction to a predetermined amount through engagement between the second engaging portion and the second engaging member,
• wherein the cable-pulling lever and the release lever extend from the same side with respect to the fixed member and are operable in substantially the same directions.

A speed change lever apparatus for use in a bicycle with a speed change control cable normally urged in a cable rewind direction by a derailleur spring, the apparatus comprising:

• a fixed member,
• a winding member pivotably supported by the fixed member for winding up a speed change control cable, and
• a cable-pulling lever supported by the fixed member and operable to effect a speed change by rotating the winding member in a cable winding direction,
• a position maintaining mechanism including a first engaging member and a first engaging portion having a plurality of recesses and stepwisely engageable with the first engaging member to maintain a position of the winding member through engagement between the first engaging member and the first engaging portion,
• a release lever supported by the fixed member and operable to release the engagement between the first engaging member and the first engaging portion to effect a speed change by rotating the winding member in the rewinding direction, and
• a limiting mechanism including a second engaging portion having a plurality of recesses and a second engaging member stepwisely engageable with the second engaging portion with an operation of the release lever to limit a pivotal amount of the winding member in the cable rewinding direction to a predetermined amount through engagement between the second engaging portion and the second engaging member,
• wherein the cable-pulling lever and the release lever extend from the same side with respect to the fixed member and are operable in substantially the same directions.