Spanish ex-professional Pedro Delgado has stated that Mavic did a very similar thing “ten years ago.” He commented on how the times have changed. “The problem is when rain starts to pour hard on it, the system seems to go crazy. An amateur can handle it, but not a professional rider,” added the winner of 1988’s Tour de France. “If this new development from Shimano is able to work properly after three or four days of wind and rain, and its batteries last much longer, we could be very happy.”
** http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2007/sep07/sep04news2
So in other words, even though Shimano has a crapload of development dollars, the benefit of having seen Mavic’s 2 previous electronic systems, and presumably at least some intel about Campy’s system (which also is yet to see production), the stuff still doesn’t work. What is wrong with cable-based shifting systems again?
Presumably if it was implemented well, you’d only need a single “paddle” which would shift you sequentially between the 18 usable gears that you have, managing the trade off between shifting the rear and front derraileurs, rather than you having to mess around with two levers.
Both Campy and Shimano have systems out. In fact, some of the TDF riders were on them this year. Personally, I still prefer the simplicity of a mechanical cable system.
How much faster will that make me? I understand why F1 drivers use electronic paddle shifters, since a good system results in lower lap times. I’ve never really had any issue with “messing around with two levers”.
This seems to me like a solution in search of a problem.
Umm, not really. Mis-shifts and ghost shifts were pretty common prior to SIS. Nothing quite like starting an uphill sprint in the 15 and frame flex pulling the derailleur cable so that you finish the sprint bogged down in the 13.
Both Campy and Shimano have systems out. In fact, some of the TDF riders were on them this year.
No, they have prototypes in development, which Pedro Delgado is saying that, at least for the Shimano version, they have a long way to go before they are ready for prime time.
The mavic Mektronic system had 3 sets of buttons, IIRC. A remote pair of buttons on the bar top, and 2 bi-directional switches on the right side brake lever (on the tip of the brake hoods, and behind the brake lever). I believe that the ZAP system had 2 sets of buttons.
Makes no sense to me either, and I’m a certified techogeek! Gotta’ keep the money coming into the mothership though …
A 2nd or 3rd tier system (i.e. Centaur, 105, etc.) works so well today compared to friction/downtube shifters of not that long ago, that I don’t see the reason. Of course, people back then may have said the same … I’m all for the R&D though as other things often come of it (like SRAMS odd tooth-out rear cassettes that seem to actually shift better to me)
How much faster will that make me? I understand why F1 drivers use electronic paddle shifters, since a good system results in lower lap times. I’ve never really had any issue with “messing around with two levers”.
This seems to me like a solution in search of a problem.
2.573%
From being more likely to find the most appropriate gear ratio, when you’re in the overlap between the ratios available on the two chainwheels. I’d be pretty suprised if you could put the same wattage, compared to an electronic method, while trying to change to do a simulataneous front and back mechanical change either.
The benefit to electronic shifting is for triathletes is that it would allow “shifters” ALL hand positions (end of aero bars, drops, tops, etc.).
I see that as a real advantage. Even for roadies, the brifter position is often compromised such that shifting can be accomplished in the drops. (I know I have to have my brifters a little lower than I like in order to shift from the drops.)
How much shifting do you want to do during the course of a race from “all” hand positions? in a tri, I spend 90% of the time in one position.
re: the roadie stuff, I find that shifting is often compromised from the drops as well, but that is more a function of where I like the brake levers to be vs. where they were originally designed to be, and lack of adjustability in the brifter. It would be nice if my DA 9-speed shifters had longer shift paddles. I don’t know about the new DA, but I refuse to switch to 10 speed because the brifters are just so fugly.
I would say we don’t need it,…yet. All these systems are in development and there is probably no advantage to them at this point. 10 years from now who know where this may lead? smart shifters selecting optimal gear ratios based on the riders watts? systems for disabled riders? better aerodynamics due to geting rid of the levers entirely? I love it when people bash new tech as useless and then a couple years later can’t live without what developed out of the new tech. Some of the useless comments were made about the first cell phones. Of course back then they came in a shoulder bag and had no reception. Now I see no reason to buy this tech yet but I really want to see where it goes when it gets established.
Is having to move a lever with your hand really that tough on people? Not sure I understand the benefits of electronic shiftingh either.
Have you seen the infomercial for the Land Rider automic shifting bike? Apparently its a major inconvenience to have to shift. All that thinking and “fiddling around”.
Well, I still don’t see the point of automatic transmissions in automobiles, so…
re: systems for disabled riders, that to me would be a good benefit. I’m not really bashing the new tech, I’m just saying that I don’t really see the point of replacing a simple, reliable, proven system with a complex system with a bazillion potential failure points.
“I’m not really bashing the new tech, I’m just saying that I don’t really see the point of replacing a simple, reliable, proven system with a complex system with a bazillion potential failure points.”
Good point. How’s the abacus holding up these days?
Seriously, complex systems are great for complex problems (like how to communicate instantaneously with someone halfway around the world). Or, in my case, simple addition of 2 digit or larger numbers.