Mechanical vs. electric shifting: an anecdote
08-25-23, 09:02 AM
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Personally I would like to see an electronic version of Ekar as I do like the 1x13 setup and I’m well sold on the inherent benefits of electronic shifting.
08-25-23, 09:34 AM
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I'm holding off until Campy comes out with their wireless DT version. Those exposed, paint scraping cables are getting old. So am I but I am (still) fully wireless. Yes, I have fillings and mesh but no wires - yet.
08-25-23, 10:26 AM
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I read of a few guys running out of battery on PBP this year with Di2 12-speed. I guess the battery life is a lot shorter than with the 11-speed. 900km into a 1200km is not when I want to be dealing with dead batteries. 
08-25-23, 02:09 PM
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I will stay with 10 speed mechanical DA7800 and no electronic transmission
08-27-23, 10:01 PM
#30
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I ride a hodgepodge of bikes. 1x, 2x, SS. Mech, electric. MTB, road, gravel. Rim brakes, disc brakes. DS, hardtail, rigid. CF, steel, aluminum, Ti. 700, 26, 29+.I like all of them. All my road bikes going forward will be electronic shifting. Anything that touches dirt/gravel will be mechanical. Horses for courses.
Last edited by Caveman; 08-27-23 at 10:04 PM. Reason: spelling
08-28-23, 08:03 AM
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Ok, I guess I'll join in...
After experiencing Ultegra Di2 12 speed I don't think I could ever go back to mechanical. I also love how it integrates with my Garmin.
After experiencing Ultegra Di2 12 speed I don't think I could ever go back to mechanical. I also love how it integrates with my Garmin.
08-28-23, 08:34 AM
#32
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Randos are not the target demographic for major bike companies. We have to filter out what doesn't work for us and use the rest.
I'm slightly envious of how simple things are for the fixie riders. Insanely hard, but simple.
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08-28-23, 11:04 AM
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08-28-23, 12:21 PM
#34
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I've been riding mechanical gruppos for decades with absolutely no problems and I don't remember a failure that wasn't related to a crash. However, I bought a new bike not too long ago and decided to dip my toe in the electronic shifting pool. I found it to be a huge paradigm shift for me (pun intended). Mine is 105 Di2 and I love everything about it. It's 12spd so the gear spacing is pretty tight. That means it's easy to be in the exact right gear and electronic shifting is so quick, easy and precise that I'm noticeably more inclined to shift whereas with mechanical shifting I tended to remain in the gear I was already in unless a shift was definitely required. So, based on my admittedly limited experience with electronic shifting I'm not going back to mechanical shifting except for nostalgic reasons. I'm keeping my road bikes that have mechanical gruppos but any new ones I might get will be electronic.
Dirt is an entirely different matter IMO. I'm not sure I know why. It just is. That's not very thoughtful but it's the best I can come up with right now. Maybe at some point I'll change my mind but given the fact I just bought a new gravel bike and specifically opted for mechanical GRX over electronic GRX I don't see me changing my mind any time soon. Keep in mind I bought the mechanical GRX afterI bought the Di2 so I was already aware of how much I like electronic shifting.
Dirt is an entirely different matter IMO. I'm not sure I know why. It just is. That's not very thoughtful but it's the best I can come up with right now. Maybe at some point I'll change my mind but given the fact I just bought a new gravel bike and specifically opted for mechanical GRX over electronic GRX I don't see me changing my mind any time soon. Keep in mind I bought the mechanical GRX afterI bought the Di2 so I was already aware of how much I like electronic shifting.
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08-28-23, 03:03 PM
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Dirt is an entirely different matter IMO. I'm not sure I know why. It just is. That's not very thoughtful but it's the best I can come up with right now. Maybe at some point I'll change my mind but given the fact I just bought a new gravel bike and specifically opted for mechanical GRX over electronic GRX I don't see me changing my mind any time soon.
At the same time, I still think that a decent (and well-maintained) mechanical groupset shifts just as well as Di2 -- so there's obviously nothing wrong with that choice.
Last edited by Koyote; 08-28-23 at 03:12 PM.
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08-28-23, 05:11 PM
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The beauty of SRAM etap batteries are how quickly they can be changed, how light they are, and really how long they last although I would not tempt fate trying a 1200K without a spare battery. I have been randonneuring on them for about 5 years (both 11 and 12 speeds) without any problems.
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08-28-23, 05:26 PM
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I have resisted putting Di2 on my gravel bike, even though I have it on my carbon road bike (5 years or so), plus my HT mt. bike, as well as SRAM AXS on my FS mt. bike. I have had zero issues with my electronic systems, but realize that mechanical (for me) is easier to field service and get parts for and I tend to take my gravel on longer trips in out of the way places. Thus am more comfortable having mechanical when not closer to home. No scientific basis for my opinion,
09-03-23, 08:50 AM
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09-03-23, 09:13 AM
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With Di2 on a road bike, as well as my HT, my FS got SRAM AXS. One thing I noticed is on a mt. bike and for where I ride off road, I need to shift a lot more often and that’s where electronic really shines. The shifts are always fast and perfect. Thus it’s been my opinion that electronic shifting is actually more useful on a mt. bike than a road bike.
09-03-23, 09:24 AM
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it's a lot like the difference between a manually shifted sports car with 3 pedals and a modern Porsche with paddles.
You do miss the old school "involvement" but the paddles reduce workload so you don't have to worry about matching revs etc.
Is it faster ? maybe a little bit.
I have DI2 11 on my e-bike and DI2-10 on a travel bike and zero problems with either ! never had a battery go dead or anything at all.
and the front shifting is excellent - better than mechanical.
/markp
You do miss the old school "involvement" but the paddles reduce workload so you don't have to worry about matching revs etc.
Is it faster ? maybe a little bit.
I have DI2 11 on my e-bike and DI2-10 on a travel bike and zero problems with either ! never had a battery go dead or anything at all.
and the front shifting is excellent - better than mechanical.
/markp
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09-03-23, 10:19 AM
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Paddle shift transmissions are much quicker ... perfect shifts are accomplished in milliseconds, with the best boxes. I still like my three pedals, but a good modern box wins on absolute performance.
As for as shifting on bikes ... yes, electronic is swifter, more certain, takes little effort, and since the boxes are programmable ... but i still like my three pedals. it is not like I am pushing any performance envelope, even my own ......
As for as shifting on bikes ... yes, electronic is swifter, more certain, takes little effort, and since the boxes are programmable ... but i still like my three pedals. it is not like I am pushing any performance envelope, even my own ......
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09-04-23, 09:54 AM
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You have a bike with 3 pedals?
09-04-23, 12:57 PM
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09-04-23, 01:02 PM
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