Anyone else see this on tdf today? They can’t be serious. Digital display showing the gear? Battery? Display for the charge on the battery? Shifter motors? They can’t be serious.
I liked Bobke’s shorts with the catheter and drain field better.
It’s real. What a waste of time and resources.
Electronic shifting has arrived. Both ShimaNO and Campy have working sytems.
I see a lot of disadvantages - extra weight, batteries, etc. It’s hard to beat a good mechanical system for reliability. That’s why I still have my old early 70’s mechanical Olympus OM-1 35mm camera as back up to my newer high tech electronic stuff.
I had an electrical display showing my gearing and calculating my cadence with out a sensor five years ago on Sora shifters - you only need the Shimano Flight Deck computer.
As for the other stuff I think a lot of the negative comments are a result of people being hacked off that the DA / Record equiped beauty they lusted after and finally bought last year is about to be second tier. Meaningfully so? Maybe not but if they chose DA over Ultegra or Record over Chorus that’s clearly not the point.
Personally, annoying as it is I think electronics is the way forward. There is something ‘pure’ about your muscles being the only thing doing the work that will be lost but it’s inevitable the groupsets will end up lighter, more reliable, crisper, cleaner looking (and more aero) and just a lot less hassle than what we have now so I don’t see the point in fighting it.
I reckon the convenience of multiple shifting positions and triathletes love of gadgets in general mean these sets are going to explode in triathlon when they finally get released.
This isn’t really new.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2006/news/03-14
http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2006/news/03-09
http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2007/features/dauphine_libere_207
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=1391773;search_string=electronic%20shifting;#1391773
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=1269565;search_string=electronic%20shifting;#1269565
Yeah, and I’m really not that bored.
I haven’t seen the close-ups or technical exploded-view drawings of the whole system, but isn’t it just an electric motor moving a rod (or cable) to accomplish the SAME mechanical shift as before? SO essentially an electric motor is just replacing your thumb… So what happens when you swap wheels (say, in a road race neutral support) and the cassette is spaced just a LITTLE bit differently than the one you had? You no longer have that trim-out adjuster on your downtube (or in-line as some are now)… I guess you live with dicey shifts.
Mavic had the Mektronic system a few years ago. I used one for a while, was less than impressed with it and now its in a box in the garage. It was a neat system but to many headaches to keep running properly. I think that I posted it for sale in the slowtwitch classifieds years ago with no response. Some day I may be able to give it away (you pay shipping).
Or the computer can “feel” when the chain isn’t rubbing and automatically adjust. I don’t think electronic shifting is neccesary, but if done correctly it can be a big improvement. Many things have been talked about, just some of them are auto trim, so that any wheel will work, 8/9/10. Auto shifting is also possible. Just select your preferred cadence range and the computer shifts appropriately. not to mention as many shiter buttons as you want.
Styrrell
Agreed.
If I’m not mistaken, and someone correct me if I’m wrong, but next year DA will ONLY be available as electronic. Ultegra will become the top mechanical group. At least that was the rumor I heard from one of the shimano reps. I’m less than impressed, but most cyclists are into technology, so I have a feeling they’ll sell a ton. Then again, I’m still using 9 speed on most of my bikes, and 8 speed 105 on one.
“…I still have my old early 70’s mechanical Olympus…”
ha!
i still pull out the Nikkormat FTn on occasion.
nothin’ beats full manual when you want it done right.
In theory, it is brilliant and will probably become standard - at least for the high end-stuff. Imagine:
- on the fly tension adjustment
- lighter
- more aero
- auto-cadance management
- More easier integrated power sensor (?)
- aesthetic
Downsides:
- battery life
- if wireless, potential for hacking (imagine a spectator at a race shifting you into the lowest gear and locking you out
The wireless could be protected against - and battery life - I suppose the bar controlller could have a small solar panel and the derailers could use some kind of rechargable powered by the bike itself.
Can you imagine the pooh hitting the fan if their E-shifting systems shorted out during a race? Does this also mean you have to carry extra batteries with you at all times? Stick with the tried and true stuff!
Do you guys honestly think… that if there was that big of a risk of it failing they would be using the prototypes in the biggest race of the year. I don’t think so.
No you don’t have to carry extra batteries. The same way i don’t have to carry an extra battery for my srm or garmin when i leave the house. They said on tv today the battery lasts 1000km. I don’t think anyone is biking that without stoping.
Grant
Jay Auxier says:
“Electronic Shifting?..Tried it; didn’t like it; sent it back; kept the t-shirt”
.