Originally Posted by cyclintom

Obviously it was a working prototype. So it was not vaporware unless we are using different definitions which may very well be the case with that odd word almost always used to describe software. In my experience "vaporware" is used to describe either a program that doesn't exist or one that has been at least partially written and is then superseded by better. Normally when I was brought in on a project I had to re-design both hardware and software.

As for this unit I have little doubt that we will see working models of it probably used in the Grand Tours and world TT championships because it has such an aero advantage over cassettes and derailleurs. But perhaps not since those "shift channels" probably only work with specially designed ratios.

But consider - this can provide and entirely enclosed drive train and no more grease on your pant leg. And the wear would be remarkably slow before the rear ring, the front ring and the drive shaft rollers would need replacing. And the entire package would be orders of magnitude stronger than a chain. I do think that the entire shift mechanism would require a manual actuation to be acceptable but that would be easier than the electric mechanism. I think that they threw in the electric shifting to be "new techy".