Originally Posted by
ksisler
Re; "Electronic shifting is especially advantageous for a tandem" Index shifting was for sure. But electric... really??
Count me as dubious for the foreseeable future!
Having to posit that it seems like the classic case of "too many engineers with too much time on their hands" coupled with a stagnant market desperate for some way to differeniate themselves from the other copy cat OEMs...
The stated advantages of electronic shifting are compelling for a significant segment of the tandem market. Specifically, properly tuned, an electronic shifting system can compensate on the FD for whatever may be happening in the back. No need to trim; no need for the stoker to hear the chain rubbing and remind the captain to trim. And rear shifting is very clean and reliable.
For this team, the main disadvantage is a clear deal-breaker. Batteries. Not handling triple chainrings is something that won't last forever. The possibility of running out of charge on a (long) ride or (especially) tour is not about to go away.