Could be something that is sold bundled together with Di2 and a powermeter that you can either have or not depending on mood; kind of built into the system. That works for me...I wouldn't want it on all the time and I wouldn't want it adding any weight or mechanical complexity.

That was my thought upon seeing the thread title...

I'll give you the traffic jam thing. But other than that, automatics are just boring to drive, sticks are fun. Running up and down the gears is fun. If I don't enjoy driving (and I realize many people don't, there's nothing wrong with that) and just want to go somewhere with the minimum amount of effort, then an automatic is great. If I'm driving for the enjoyment, a stick can make even a boring car at least somewhat interesting to drive. Who cares if it takes me .05 seconds longer unless I'm racing someone?

Your first argument is the same argument used every time new technology comes out. Friction shifting? Why do I need friction shifting? I can change gears by turning a lever on my seat stay. Indexed shifting? Why do I need indexed shifting? I can change gears by turning a lever on my down tube. Electronic shifting? Why do I need electronic shifting? I can gears by turning a lever on my brakes. Automatic shifting? Why do I need automatic shifting? I can shift gears by pressing a button.


After setting up a computer for different types of rides based on power output, heart rate and any other inputs there may be, and then you need only to choose 1 before the start of your ride. Seems to me it would be an excellent tool for training.

I guess that works if you ride the same throughout the entire ride....I don't generally do that. I switch it up all too often depending on how I feel at that moment, not how I feel at the beginning of a ride.

I just think there are too many variables, namely the "engine" not being static like an automobile, for automatic transmissions on a bike to be of much help. This is entirely different to the clear advantage indexed shifting has over friction or downtube vs. brifters. I question the advantage not because of some luddite-type hold on the past, but I just don't see it working well with a human. Also, if they incorporate some way of switching based on what the rider wants to do at that moment...like you switch a button to go into "stand up mode" I don't see that being all different than just using regular old gear shifters....so question the point. Adding complexity for nothing.

BTW, I love the idea of electronic shifting.

False analogy. Those other innovations were improvements.
In this case, it appears that it would cause problems by putting you in a gear that you may not want to be in.

You nailed the signature feature. Ride it in automatic for general riding and override to manual when in the battle. Just software...no weight penalty.
Power meter hub or otherwise that will interface with the system will continue to come down in price as demand increases for the auto shift feature.
The future of Di2 without a doubt and the true benefit of electric shifting. Shift manual or leave in auto for general riding. Further this is the stone age. Algorithms and sensors will be further refined and auto shifting will likely be intuitive in the new 10 years.

I am quitting by saying two things. I love driving and periodically take performance drivinng training. If you think automatics are boring you need to drive a performance car around a track and see how it performs against a manual.

I'm waiting for a shaft drive, alenax, disc brake, CVT, IGH, auto transmission, tubeless tired, electronic shifting, airless tired, race bike with rack and fender mounts at 12 pounds. On that day, I will be Uber Fred.

Steel or CF?

Bucky balls.

If you got behind a group of steel bikes, you add a new meaning to "pulled along by the peloton"

Landrider still makes bikes, they even make a road bike. Yhey work the same way as those autobikes, except they also have a mini belt drive for the shifting, do auto bikes have those?

I don't really know. I've seen them advertised and listed on Craigslist but have never been too interested. I am pretty sure the bicycle targets potentially new, mature cyclists. Maybe they work fine and really are very easy to use therefore making cycling more fun. I've always found cycling to be huge fun... even with my down tube mounted friction shifters on my vintage road bicycle(s).

But I really do like the modern bicycles too. I have no idea where bicycle technology is heading. I only hope any developments are good for cycling.

Personally I like my cars with manuals, orr the very least an automatic with a manual valvebody. I like my bikes manual, I'd rather have gripshifts than an electronic shifting bike. I'be riden a 3speed electric shift bike before, it sucked, and was slow.

I like it and if priced right would buy it providing it can also be shut off.

I'd be more interested to have software that you can download your recorded ride to and have it tell you how your shifting was.

No. Correct analogy.

While there are modes of failure for an automatic transmission, there are modes of failure for cambio corsa, friction, index and electronic shifting. There can only be no mode of failure with fixed gear. As I wrote before, Henri Desgrange was correct.

There are fewer modes of failure with fixed gear, but there are still failure modes. Your chain can still break, your tires still puncture, your BB/hubs can have damaged bearings etc. A poorly set up fixed gear will have as many problems as a poorly set up derailleur system, and a properly set up derailleur system will have as few problems as a properly set up fixie, but with the added benefit of being able to go uphill with 1 wheel turn/pedal rev and down the other side with 4 wt/rev.

We were talking about "modes of failure" ??

Probably future Charlie Kelly stuff.

What's the problem not everyone who enjoys riding a bike wants to have to shift. If you want control over your gear selection get a student bike.

I never said the auto wouldn't outperform the manual, just that unless you're racing, so what? If you're driving just for the fun of driving, the manual is much more enjoyable.

If you don't enjoy something for the exact same reasons that I enjoy something, you must not really enjoy that something. IOW - you're enjoying it wrong.

Ok, I follow you.

The auto is better performing - shouldn't you be in front?