Originally Posted by
chasm54
The system trims automatically, and the motor appears to make it shift more smoothly and precisely under load. This isn't too surprising, a FD is just a brute force mechanism. A system that activates it by a more sophisticated method than simply tugging on a cable at least has the potential to improve performance. And in my very limited experience, and the reports of most users, it does.
The FD is indeed a brute force mechanism, that's why I can't see how an electromagnet is any improvement over the delicate and sophisticated muscles in my fingers.
Concerning precision, I push that lever, and the FD moves to exactly the correct point for shifting. (1) It is a lot more precise than it needs to be, and (2) I don't see how precision affects shifting under load.
Concerning smoothness, (1) I can do it smoothly, and (2) smoothness doesn't matter.
I could understand an argument that the electronic FD provides more force, is that the case? Maybe more force is needed to move the FD under extreme load.