Speed control device for a bicycle

Claim 1

A speed control device for a bicycle, for operating a derailleur by a control wire, said device comprising: a fixing member, an operating member supported rotatably relative to said fixing member and including a plurality of engaging portions and a passive portion, said operating member being adapted to retain one end of said control wire, an operating lever supported rotatably relative to said fixing member and including a transmitting portion engageable with said passive portion to transmit an operating force applied to said operating lever to said operating member, a lever spring means for biasing said operating lever in one direction of rotation, a retaining pawl pivoted to said fixing member and selectively engageable with said engaging portions of said operating member, a pawl spring means for biasing said retaining pawl in a direction of engaging with said engaging portions, and a pawl control means for controlling said retaining pawl to selectively engage with and disengage from said engaging portions, wherein said retaining pawl has (i) a foremost pawl portion selectively engageable with each of said engaging portions of said operating member and (ii) a contact portion, said pawl control means including a control portion which contacts with said contact portion of said retaining pawl to selectively disengage said retaining pawl from said engaging portions, and wherein said operating lever includes a lever base supported rotatably to said fixing member and a lever body swingably supported to said lever base to be swingable around an axis substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of said lever base relative to said fixing member, said lever body being provided with said control portion.