Electronic shifting vs manual for racing road bike
07-26-16, 07:23 AM
#1
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Electronic shifting vs manual for racing road bike
I am in transition with purchasing a new road bike for my racing lifestyle after my 'manual' shifting bike was stolen at a Crit race. I have friends w Di2 and speak its praises. I am somewhat apprehensive considering Di2. I've been racing 4 years now and will be moving up in my category for 2017. I would appreciate feedback from other cyclists who also race and have Di2. Pros and cons. Thanks.
Last edited by MKlovesbike; 07-26-16 at 10:32 PM. Reason: Incorrect name.
07-26-16, 07:31 AM
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I am in transition with purchasing a new road bike for my racing lifestyle after my 'manual' shifting bike was stolen at a Crit race. I have friends w DUi and speak its praises. I am somewhat apprehensive considering DUi. I've been racing 4 years now and will be moving up in my category for 2017. I would appreciate feedback from other cyclists who also race and have DUi. Pros and cons. Thanks.
If it's DI2 you're asking about, it's a proven technology that many are happy with. It's not going to make any difference to your racing though.
07-26-16, 08:10 AM
#5
Recusant Iconoclast
You've been racing for four years, but you're going to ask a bunch of total strangers here about it instead of listening to your racing buddies. Seriously? Have you tried the search button?
07-26-16, 08:12 AM
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07-26-16, 08:14 AM
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SO, you'll be going from a Cat 5 to Cat 4? and really, DUi? The trolling is not strong with this one
07-26-16, 08:30 AM
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I prefer manual cars because the repairs are cheaper. Don't really find driving on public roads particularly enjoyable. Maybe if I lived somewhere with more exciting roads.
07-26-16, 08:48 AM
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if your pockets are deep and you don't mind paying someone to do your setup and maintenance, I hear good things about Di2. with that said, a couple times every summer someone with Di2 has a failure on our group ride and ends up limping home, usually due to battery issues. I wouldn't want that to happen in a race.
FWIW I toyed with the idea of Di2 on my next bike, but I think I'll pass. I prefer cheap, easy to maintain, and I do all my own wrenching. To me, cable-pull derailleurs work exceptionally well, are easy to maintain, and you can get parts in a pinch almost anywhere. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, ya know?
FWIW I toyed with the idea of Di2 on my next bike, but I think I'll pass. I prefer cheap, easy to maintain, and I do all my own wrenching. To me, cable-pull derailleurs work exceptionally well, are easy to maintain, and you can get parts in a pinch almost anywhere. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, ya know?
07-26-16, 09:03 AM
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07-26-16, 09:06 AM
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Bike thieves suck. 
Typo and jokes aside, do you mind having another thing to plug in and charge up, along with your phone, garmin, hrm, etc.... If you don't mind, and won't forget it... then you may be able to see some benefit from moving to electronic shifting.
But forgetting to charge up your shifters can make for a long, sucky ride home. Better be sure you're on board with the idea of additional care, and be pretty clear about what benefits you're hoping to get from the groupset.
Typo and jokes aside, do you mind having another thing to plug in and charge up, along with your phone, garmin, hrm, etc.... If you don't mind, and won't forget it... then you may be able to see some benefit from moving to electronic shifting.But forgetting to charge up your shifters can make for a long, sucky ride home. Better be sure you're on board with the idea of additional care, and be pretty clear about what benefits you're hoping to get from the groupset.
07-26-16, 09:11 AM
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Remember: Mechanical shifting is for poor people. 
07-26-16, 11:01 AM
#19
Vain, But Lacking Talent
My first car was a manual, and I rode motorcycles as my primary transport for years. The last time I had to drive a manual, it was for over half a year driving 40+ miles one way in stop and go traffic M-F for a new job while my left knee was recovering from ACL surgery. Never buying a stick shift car again.
07-26-16, 11:26 AM
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My first car was a manual, and I rode motorcycles as my primary transport for years. The last time I had to drive a manual, it was for over half a year driving 40+ miles one way in stop and go traffic M-F for a new job while my left knee was recovering from ACL surgery. Never buying a stick shift car again.
For the first week or two I was starting to think differently, though.
07-26-16, 12:10 PM
#22
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My first car was a manual, and I rode motorcycles as my primary transport for years. The last time I had to drive a manual, it was for over half a year driving 40+ miles one way in stop and go traffic M-F for a new job while my left knee was recovering from ACL surgery. Never buying a stick shift car again.
07-26-16, 12:30 PM
#23
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By conflating 'manual' car shifting with 'mechanical' bike shifting, it is being implied in this thread that 'electronic' bike shifting is equivalent to 'automatic' car shifting.
*Edit: Am I the only one who sees a problem with this?
*Edit: Am I the only one who sees a problem with this?
Last edited by velociraptor; 07-26-16 at 01:04 PM.
07-26-16, 12:37 PM
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In 2007 started son on wireless electronic shifting Mavic Mectronic age 8
In 2009 he went cables
In 2010 he went 10spd Di2
In 2013 he went SRAM Red Cables
In 2014 he got the 9000 Dura-Ace Di2
In 2016 he got the 9000 Dura-Ace cables
He likes Di2 better.
But for travel, guest mechanics - cables are preferred.
In 2009 he went cables
In 2010 he went 10spd Di2
In 2013 he went SRAM Red Cables
In 2014 he got the 9000 Dura-Ace Di2
In 2016 he got the 9000 Dura-Ace cables
He likes Di2 better.
But for travel, guest mechanics - cables are preferred.
07-26-16, 05:45 PM
#25
Recusant Iconoclast
Nope, not necessarily. Paddle-shifting, as in Tiptronic, PDK, DSG...etc etc (or whatever the car companies call their setups).