Well the demi-digit and I are forming an uneasy alliance, if not exactly loving each other’s company.
Lost and of note are those every day skills cultivated over 40 yrs of over-reliance on a full-fat-finger.
1) whistling with finger and thumb. I did previously teach myself to do it with my middle finger so it’s time to get out that rusty technique again
2) pointing with authority. I’m going to have to work on my delivery if I’m going to pull this off again with half a pointing device
3) drinking water from your hand under a running tap. I now have a leaking bucket. Will have to adapt
4) skimming stones. This one came as an upsetting shock I can tell you. Middle finger back spin will never feel right.
More relevantly I’ve had a fiddle with the bike. Although I joked about riding SS, out here in France is my FS with gears. Fortunately I quickly realised that new slx are dual release so I can go up and down the gears with my thumb. Hoorah!
Single finger braking was coming up short however
So a rejig required. Reverb lever now underside of LH (bit cramped under there isn’t it?) and brake lever shoved across, perfect line up for middle finger braking. Sorted.
Unfortunately I’ve also found my slx caliper seal is leaking so off into town to find a replacement as I understand they’re not serviceable.