I'm not sure I follow this.

I can't remember the last time I had a shifting failure...

Well, mechanical shifting requires cable tension adjustment. You know, turn that knob a half-turn every six months or so. And a new cable every several years. Sounds pretty unreliable (sarcasm).

Electronic shifting doesn't require that adjustment; electrons don't stretch like steel cables do.
[MENTION=152773]noglider[/MENTION], could you clarify what you mean by "more reliable"?

[MENTION=348220]bbbean[/MENTION], regarding having not tried electronic shifting: The cost is too high of a barrier to entry. I don't buy new bikes (1 in the last 15 years, and that was a fat bike) so I'm rarely trying the newest gear.

I prefer bikes and components that will last about forever and be compatible for a long time, and systems that don't require a visit to the bike shop to fix (I can do all my maintenance at home).
I prefer a versatile bike with a wide gear range over a road racer (Di2 triple/road is a hack, not a supported setup).
I admit that I have a classic/retro preference for bikes as well (look at my stable <---).

Di2 doesn't address any problems I have with bikes; for me it would just create new problems.
But I can definitely see how it appeals to many riders, especially those that already rely upon a shop for maintenance.

No Di2, but I like my Schmidt Dyno hubs and wired LED Lights , & mechanically well designed Rohloff.

Others dont think a German made IGH is 'worth It'..

Past the race Bike thing .. Only one C&V RB1 with even older parts on it.
Looks good, rarely goes Out..

This. I forgot that you can program the shifters to do what you want them to. And that another advantage is that you can place shifters nearly anywhere, and have multiple shift pods on a bike if you so desire.

That said, I didn't get in to bicycle mechanics because I wanted to deal with servo-driven equipment, batteries, and computer interfaces. Definitely had a "WTF?!?" moment the first time I was assembling a Madone with Di2, installing the freakin' wiring harness...

I have to adjust or tweak my mechanical shifting bikes on a regular basis. It may be just a click or two of the fine tuning barrel, but cables stretch and get corroded and adjustments have to be made.

OK. Its worth it to me. It isn't to you. Cost is a valid reason not to use Di2 - we all have our own ideas about value and our own unique needs. I simply object to the *unfounded* criticisms and fears.

Is a Porsche worth it?

Totally, but I was being sarcastic when I equated that to "unreliable". :)

A tweak here or there hardly equates to a failure.

Still, you are saying Di2 will never need any kind of attention..?

Cool. It sounds like a nice system if it meets the needs of the type of riding you want to do. I don't do much purely road riding, and my only MTB is a fat bike, so the current electronic offerings don't meet my needs.

For me, Shimano indexed front shifting already limits me too much, so I have no desire to spend the money on a system with even-more-limited gearing options.

I maintain that I can judge electronic shifting from cost and practicality standpoints without trying it.

I hope you enjoy your system! I'm glad to hear that some folks' battery concerns aren't really relevant.

Worth what..?

I've had problems with mechanical shifting under load, especially with the chain rings. It happens on suddenly steep climbs and low cadence.

I am saying that I ride my manual Ultegra bike approx 1/3 the miles of my Di2 road bike, and while I need to tweak the shifting on my manual bike once every few hundred miles, I've only needed to tweak the shifting on my Di2 bike twice in 10K+ miles.

BB

I haven't had a single problem with Di2 in four years.

Anyone that lets their battery go dead is probably the kind of person that forgets everything. They probably run out of gas in their car or change their furnace filter once every five years.

All you have to do is touch both shifters at once occassionally. A green light means it's charged. When it starts flashing you are part way discharged and it's time to plug in the battery for four hours. A charge can last as long as six months depending on your riding.

Hmm, my manual shifting doesn't seem to require that much attention.

Perhaps we should discuss your mechanical skills... ;)

http://i.imgur.com/pqU6k88.jpg

:thumb:

Pretty!

And red, so it must be fast...

I think so

My next road bike will almost certainly be Ultegra Di2 equipped. Prolly hydraulic disc brakes as well. If money were a real/significant factor it would be neither. But it's not and my anyway no lower than baseline reference is mech Ultegra (mebbe 105 in a good deal pinch) with rim brakes.

[MENTION=343977]Tim_Iowa[/MENTION], I mean more reliable, even though cable systems are good enough for most of us. Better than good enough just means better, nothing profound.

I expect that one day, most bikes will come with motorized derailleurs, and they won't be expensive. We can thank the spendy people for making that possible.

You're welcome.

OK, so on my way into the office this morning my RD needed a click's worth of trim, so I have to admit tweaks happen...

My first car was a '52 Chevy stovebolt six and second was a '51 flathead V-8 Ford. Both needed oil change and chassis lube every 1K miles. Today I drive a '13 Accord V6 and, though still kinda a hard core car guy, I really appreciate it's reliable functionality and lack of need for constant maintenance attention.

I cut my adult cycling teeth on friction shifter road bikes 35 years ago. Enjoyed them as much as I did my first cars, and still have one. For enjoyable daily use, tho, I'm not so much into older technology/stuff when there's much better available.

When that happens in a race, it can be more than a minor inconvenience.

You need to find a fried with it so you can ride it and see if you like it.
After living with it for a while my take is i would definitely make it the next group on a new bike. However, I would not ditch current 9000 for it though.

It really is nice stuff. Super easy to set up and stays accurate. I like it.

Worth it is for you to answer.