Bike Snob NYC says that the new electronic Dura Ace is particularly good news for us triathletes. I can’t wait to get my hands on it. Here is his review:
Finally! I don’t know anybody who rides Dura Ace and hasn’t been saying for years now, “You know what would make this group even better? Finite battery life!” Of course, while we can all benefit from electronic shifting systems, nobody will benefit more than triathletes. Not because the remote switches will allow them to shift without compromising their aero positions, but simply because they will now be able to shift, thanks to the “TT/Tri” version of the group. The complexities of a 10-speed drivetrain have long baffled most triathletes, who are unable to grasp concepts such as front derailleur trim and avoiding the large/large combination, and who consequently squander any aero benefits their behind-the-saddle water bottle holders may confer upon them by riding in gear combos that create more friction than a naked thigh on a metal playground slide. Riding behind a triathlete is like getting stuck behind a pepper mill—if that pepper mill were wearing short-shorts and kept trying to run into things. I’m assuming the tri-specific version of electronic Dura Ace will address the poor shifting habits of the triathlete by verbally scolding the user in a voice similar to that of KITT from “Knight Rider.”
I’m definitely more of a SRAM guy, but I must admit I’m really excited to try this new electronic DA gear. I’m very curious to find out how well it shifts.
Hmmm? Almost all aircraft flight control systems these days are electric and for the most part they’re more reliable than mechanical flight controls.
My only concern with the new Dura Ace is the cost. The good thing is that more and more companies (e.g. Sampson, SRAM) are entering the market and I’m sure they won’t be far behind with their electric systems. Hopefully, in a couple of years these systems will actually be affordable.
“Hmmm? Almost all aircraft flight control systems these days are electric and for the most part they’re more reliable than mechanical flight controls.”
Except the flight control systems don’t run on battery power, so they don’t stop working mid-flight if the batteries go dead. If they are going to do this, they should go all the way and have wireless anti-lock brakes as well. That ought to make spectating at rainy events very interesting.
Almost all aircraft flight control systems these days are electric and for the most part they’re more reliable than mechanical flight controls.
this is nowhere near correct. 99% of small civilian aircraft have all-mechanical flight controls. and even the majority of larger passenger and cargo aircraft (at least at this point in time) have flight controls which are either all mechanical or are cable-actuated (the flight controls directly connect to cables which then run to hydraulic actuators, which move the flight control surfaces). Some passenger aircraft do have fly-by-wire wing and elevator flight controls (flight controls electrically command the hydraulic actuators without a direct cable connection). but even those fly-by-wire passenger aircraft have mechanical cable-actuated hydraulic systems for moving the rudder.
I really don’t think the battery issue is that big of a deal. Shimano is saying worst case scenario you get 1,000 miles off a battery charge. Unless you’re some sort of alien you’re not riding that kind of mileage in less than a week.
If you’re not willing to charge you’re batteries once every couple of days then clearly electronic shifting is not for you. That’s the tradeoff. Electronic shifting (might) be crisper, better blah blah blah, but the tradeoff is you have to charge the system.
As for the cost, I sure hope it’s not some ridiculous price. If it is, I personally think it’s a mistake on Shimano’s part. There’s no way it costs THAT much more to manufacturer an electronic system than a standard mechanical system.
I am sure there will be people that jump all-over this - early adopters always do. They are important people in the early marketing of any new product. Personally, I really don’t see the need for it right now. Of course I am still using an 8 year old 9-speed Ultegra Derailluer that shifts very cleanly and crisply.
“Shimano is saying worst case scenario you get 1,000 miles off a battery charge.”
And Saris is saying that their PTs work fine in the rain…
From coverage of stage 10 of this year’s TDF:
"A group of 24 riders went clear ten kilometres into the stage, and are currently 1’32 ahead of the yellow jersey bunch. We’ll get an ID on those soon. Fabian Wegmann (Gerolsteiner) is there and seemed to be having gear problems. Cyclingnews’ Ben Atkins mentions he is on a prototype Shimano electronic gruppo and is stuck in top gear.
Wegmann tried to get his mechanical fixed while travelling but had to stop and take a new bike.
Mechanical shifting sysptems have plenty of problems also.
Styrrell
Don’t think it’s a prototype. It’s officially announced with a model number and availability date. That probably means they’ve completed the design for high-volume manufacturing. This almost certain for Shimano, who have a good track record for only marketing and releasing well-tested products. I doubt they’d risk that reputation by marketing a prototype as a finished product.
The article mentioning the “stuck in gear” rider stated he was on prototype electronic DA parts. How close his partswere to the soon to be sold parts, I have no idea. I agree with you that I don’t see Shimano releasing EDA with major flaws.
Actually, it is ~600 miles of use per charge. From Shimano’s site:
SM-BTR1 Dura-Ace Di2 Battery Pack
The 7.4V, high performance Lithium Ion battery is designed to deliver reliable, long life even in the worst conditions. In conditions requiring consistent and frequent shifting, the battery is capable of 1000 kilometers of use.
(I’ve never done over a double century, so it wouldn’t be an issue for me, but might be for some randonneurs, etc. Also, it does sound pretty neat, and I almost wish I weren’t going over to SRAM so that I could check it out.)
Isn’t it supposed to cost around seven grand or something ridiculous?