Things you get from electronic:
-Shifting interface can be light-action and practically zero-throw.
-Shifting interface is more customizable; you can have multiple shifter locations, and button function can be modified.
-In the case of wireless, bikes that come apart in some way (rinko, folding, etc) can be easier to use and have more design freedom.
Originally Posted by
San Rensho
I agree completely. There's absolutely no functional difference between Shimano 105 up all the way to the electric shifter. Oh, there is a difference, with d i when you are in the big chainring, and out of the saddle sprinting or climbing, then yes you can shift to the small chainring with no problem. But who in the world would want to do that.
Front
downshifts are usually easy with mechanical brifters anyway, since you're just letting cable out. It's the upshifts that are problematic, since pulling the cable requires some force, and often the levers need quite a bit of throw to get everything to engage right.