Micro-Shock From Shifter???

[Imchud]

So a Quick Question or Maybe a Concern... Or maybe I am losing my mind? I was riding my new Dost Kope today, just a short 12-mile run, when I started to notice a slight vibration on the top of my thumb... which was resting or leaning up against the shifter lever. At first, I thought wow, that seems to be vibrating in the shifter... almost like a harmonic distortion, or so I was thinking. Then I started to think it was an electrical thing. It almost felt like a small or a slight bee sting on the top of my thumb. It also reminded me of the feeling when I was a kid (or a 67-year-old) when you test a nine-volt battery on your tongue. (Don't tell me you never did it) -

I realize this all sounds strange, but I can't feel it if I actually grab it... it's just when my finger is resting against it that I can feel it. maybe it's just a nerve thing I got going on? So, the question... Can there be a short somewhere that could or would affect the gear cables? -- please let me know what you think... "Be Nice"!

 

[6zfshdb]

In general, most people can't feel 48 volts but finger tips have a close concentration of nerve endings so it is possible.
Try testing it with a multimeter.

Many mid drive bikes have a gear shift sensor switch which momentarily disconnects the motor during shifting. I'm not sure about the Kope but on many bikes, the switch is located on the shift cable. If there is voltage present on the shifter, this could be the source of the problem.

 

[Imchud]

In general, most people can't feel 48 volts but finger tips have a close concentration of nerve endings so it is possible.
Try testing it with a multimeter.

Many mid drive bikes have a gear shift sensor switch which momentarily disconnects the motor during shifting. I'm not sure about the Kope but on many bikes, the switch is located on the shift cable. If there is voltage present on the shifter, this could be the source of the problem.

Thanks for the reply... And yes the Kope does have that disconnect feature, so I will dig into to it further.

 

[PCeBiker]

maybe it's just a nerve thing I got going on?

I think you might have an aggravated nerve in your thumb?
See if you feel it as soon as you start riding or if it takes a while to start buzzing.
I remember my fingers were buzzing and tingling after using a hand drill for too long and holding on too tightly.

Your shifter lever is probably covered in plastic. Plastic doesn't conduct electricity.

 

[Imchud]

Thanks for the reply... And yes the Kope does have that disconnect feature, so I will dig into to it further.

I think you might have an aggravated nerve in your thumb?
See if you feel it as soon as you start riding or if it takes a while to start buzzing.
I remember my fingers were buzzing and tingling after using a hand drill for too long and holding on too tightly.

Your shifter lever is probably covered in plastic. Plastic doesn't conduct electricity.

This is so weird... I called the LBS today just to ask a few questions about the stinging sensation I was feeling while I was riding, just to see if anyone else was reporting the same issue. One of the 1st things he asked was "Were you riding under any High Power Lines"? My answer was yes... the bike trail I was on yesterday was traveling alongside High Power Lines.

So He sent me this link Micro-Shocks - ( www.emfs.info/effects/microshocks/microshocks-from-bicycles ) So, I went back out today just in the neighborhood, with no issues of being stung or shocked. It's weird to think that just riding under power lines could have this effect.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

This is so weird... I called the LBS today just to ask a few questions about the stinging sensation I was feeling while I was riding, just to see if anyone else was reporting the same issue. One of the 1st things he asked was "Were you riding under any High Power Lines"? My answer was yes... the bike trail I was on yesterday was traveling alongside High Power Lines.

So He sent me this link Micro-Shocks - ( www.emfs.info/effects/microshocks/microshocks-from-bicycles ) So, I went back out today just in the neighborhood, with no issues of being stung or shocked. It's weird to think that just riding under power lines could have this effect.

Wow, who knew? Like a leashed dog to a squirrel, my ebike pulled me to this happy place under a nexus of major regional transmission lines near our local power station. (OK, just kidding.)

Didn't notice any microshocks while the bike basked in the EMF, but gotta go back now just to see if I can feel them. The voltage could be high enough, but the lines are far overhead.

Maybe I should wear a foil helmet liner next time. Too many wild ideas already without adding EMF-induced flights of fancy to the mix.
;^}

 

[Roamers]

This is so weird... I called the LBS today just to ask a few questions about the stinging sensation I was feeling while I was riding, just to see if anyone else was reporting the same issue. One of the 1st things he asked was "Were you riding under any High Power Lines"? My answer was yes... the bike trail I was on yesterday was traveling alongside High Power Lines.

So He sent me this link Micro-Shocks - ( www.emfs.info/effects/microshocks/microshocks-from-bicycles ) So, I went back out today just in the neighborhood, with no issues of being stung or shocked. It's weird to think that just riding under power lines could have this effect.

I had a sailboat that the natural stopping point to drop the mast after pulling it up the ramp aligned with power lines. Only did it once; way more than a tingle.

 

[Imchud]

Wow, who knew? Like a leashed dog to a squirrel, my ebike pulled me to this happy place under a nexus of major regional transmission lines near our local power station. (OK, just kidding.)

View attachment 166264

Didn't notice any microshocks while the bike basked in the EMF, but gotta go back now just to see if I can feel them. The voltage could be high enough, but the lines are far overhead.

Maybe I should wear a foil helmet liner next time. Too many wild ideas already without adding EMF-induced flights of fancy to the mix.
;^}

...Spooky!