I was really excited when it first came out as Mavic Zap, and then later kind of excited for Mavic Mektronik. I'm not impressed with the Shimanoculture attempt.

I don't think I'd ever consider anything electronic for the tandems. The rear derailleur would just be too application specific and not offer anything close to the wide range and long cage rear that our applications require. Though, I don't see why a dedicated flatland tandem racing team couldn't effectively use one.

To me its just one more thing to go wrong on the bike. We don't get to ride the tandem enough. The last thing I'd want to hang on the bike is a higher zoot part that only introduces another fail point that could potentially ruin a ride and leave us stranded. Remember, a tandem, captain and stoker can't exactly hitch a ride with well meaning cyclists driving subcompacts!