Any question answered...

^That.
As an ex instructor there's obviously some figuring out how to make the car go brumbrum in the right direction, but the relatively extra to fit gears in over an automatic is probably an hour or so at most as she's still going to have to learn a whole new thing. Once you've got the basics of the controls down there's a lot more that's about using the road properly and the rest get practiced whilst doing that. If she already rides a bike she'll have an idea of gears (engine goes too revvy, legs are too spinny, go to a higher gear, engine struggles, legs can't push up that hill, choose easier gear) but they're easier in a way as there's only a few of them and they cover a much bigger range of speed than on a bike. She'll also hopefully already have a good idea of how the road works and decent observational skills, can even practice whilst riding by doing imaginary mirror checks before turning on the bike to aid muscle memory.

Thanks for both of your input. I promise you, I agree, but this isn't the battle I'm looking to fight. I would still appreciate any recommendations for auto-capable driving instructors in the SE23 area if anyone has them.

Cheers

Personally I reckon learning (and driving) in an automatic is much easier. (I passed driving a manual but have mainly driven automatics since.)

I cycle a lot and am pretty mechanically minded but it was just another thing to constantly think about whilst already trying to remember plenty of other stuff.

The number of manuals will be decreasing year by year so you're not going to be missing out a huge deal by not being able to drive one.

Uselessly though I can't recommend any instructors.

this isn't the battle I'm looking to fight

The future battle will be worse, when you drop a piano on your foot and your wife can't drive you to A&E in the stick shift van you hired to move it 🚚🎹🦶🤕🏥😡

I went out with an American girl once and I was DELIGHTED when I found out she knew how to drive stick

she knew how to drive stick

Euph.

Waheyyy!

Edit: so slow…

Niche, but sure.

Never let it be said you let a point go unmade. 😘

Sorry if this is useless, but is there a such a thing as a driving instructor aimed at taxi drivers? It seems like a lot of (if not all) Toyota Prius models are automatic.

(this is also useless)
automatics are even easier than driving Gran Turismo on a ps1/2 whatever the number is already (5?7?)

lotus flower by radiohead

Never seen that, has quite made my day

Q: I have a friend who has serious fears about descending, mostly due to struggles with brake lever reach. My hope is that with some better pads and reduced reach from #bdhu w/ narrower bars, I can help them feel more comfortable. But it would be good to have a safe environment to practise. Does anyone know of a nice quiet car park or similar in north London (Finsbury park kind of area) with a gentle slope to try out a few adjustments? Obviously there is Finsbury park itself but there's always the chance there of a straying dog or toddler to make it feel a bit risky.

Also, if Shimano and discs then R7025 or R8025 are the small hands versions of 105 and Ultegra, so that might help with reach

SE24 or SE23?

Either way, my neighbour does automatic lessons:

https://beckenhamdrivingschool.co.uk/automatic/

I don't know if he'll travel to Herne Hill, but I imagine Sydenham is fine.

SE23, honor oak to be specific. I'll certainly pass this on, thanks for the suggestion! Beckenham is 5 mins on Thameslink so that could well be manageable...

Niche

OK, let's suppose you need to carry 400 mini quiches to a wake

... if your wife is so determined that she wants such a niche driving instructor, why isn't she the one doing all the work to find one?

I'm guessing you've never been married 🙂

Thanks for the tip, but the bike has Sora 3x9 so relatively small shifters already.

It's an older model, need to check if there is a reach-adjustment screw.

For the amount of times i refer to the forum as having provided a solution/answer to a particularly taxing question/generous lend of something/recommendation for something etc... she seems to now view it as an oracle that must be consulted. She has been doing lots of searching (i am told) but obviously she wants to know whether the forum could ride to the rescue again. And maybe it has, with Andy's neighbour...

IIRC you can get wedges for that model of Sora which will decrease the required reach. I got mine from SJS cycles.

Oh, fair enough. I will take myself off to the Judging Other People's Marriages thread and judge someone else then :D

🤣🤣

You can also bung any old crap as a bump stop for the top of the lever to achieve the same effect as a cheap test.