Originally Posted by carleton

There are actually some real benefits.

The system automatically trims the front derailleur to accommodate for the position on the cassette. Diagonal chains are now OK which actually make for smoother and faster gear transitions lets say when summiting a rolling hill. Use the big cog to climb the hill then progress down the cassette to bomb the descent...all while using the big ring up front. With standard shifting, that would cause a lot of chain chatter and require a shift to the small ring up front while staying in middle of the cassette. Think F1 paddle shifting.

With standard shifting on a TT bike the rider can only shift in the aero position. With electronic shifting, shift buttons are installed on the ends of the TT bars AND the bullhorns. So riders can shift when climbing and during hard cornering.

The technology is still first generation. Already there are manufacturers pre-wiring frames for electronic shifting just like they are pre-wiring for speed and cadence sensors in the forks and chain stays.