Originally Posted by
Marcus_Ti
Meh...Only makes cycling an ever more expensive hobby for increasingly diminishing returns.
Most people who can afford a $2000 electronic gruppo and the $1000 powermeter "fees", on top of the bike itself and the other equipment (read: spending more on riding a single bike than the value of their car)...hopefully already know how to shift. The people who really need tech like this, as in *need* as in "are clueless how to shift properly", are the ones who will never be able to afford it (or want to afford it: sticker shock) and all the necessary side equipment to make it work.
I agree with you here. Better said that those who are willing to consider buying a $2k gruppo and $1k powermeter probably already know how to shift. There will be a market for the beginner rider with deep pockets though. He was inspired by hearing about the Tour de France but struggles with shifting on his first test ride and the salesman shows him the autoshifting bike. The $10K pricetag is ok so he puts it on his credit card and the bike is light so it's easy to lift into the back of his Porsche Cayenne...
Those with normal budgets who are clueless how to shift may actually be better served by a wide ratio 1x10 or 1x11 setup that offers a good ratio spread and simplified shifting. But, more gears = more better so beginners aren't often steered that way.