The future is awesome.
Japanese parts manufacturer Shimano is launching an electronic shifting system for high-end road bikes that it claims will vastly improve performance and reduce maintenance. By replacing the conventional levers that pull wound-steel cables through protective housings with solid-state switches and rubber-coated wires, there's no chance for road gunk to clog things up and interfere with shifting, or, for that matter, your post-ride beer.
The derailleurs, whose job is to move the chain from gear to gear as you shift, talk to each other and automatically adjust so the chain doesn't rub. They also calibrate themselves, so you don't have to play with cable tension to maintain shift quality as cables stretch and the chain and cogs wear. And although the control buttons have been placed in the traditional location behind the brake levers -- so as not to confuse anyone or overly tax that mental overhead -- they could be integrated with the ends of time-trial bars, the top of the handlebars or just about anywhere a rider might find convenient.
The derailleurs talk to one another? I hope it isn't about me. Can wi-fi be far behind?
Count me out. And I'll lay a bet on "road gunk" being the reason for most warranty claims on this stuff.
Posted by: MB | August 24, 2008 at 06:37 PM
No thanks. Scratching your head while standing over a vehicle with mysterious drivetrain problems is best left to motorists. I'm sure Michael Ball will order up a few dozen though.
Posted by: Ben | August 25, 2008 at 12:40 AM
Maybe it's the latent retrogrouch in me, but I'll stick to my friction shifting thank you very much. I see massive failure on major climbs in this future.
Posted by: Joel | August 25, 2008 at 09:31 AM
Ah yes. Looking forward to the increased dependability and decreased maintenance of having tiny motors and electronic doo-dads over the cable and pulley system that's been proven to work for the last century.
Didn't they roll something out a couple of years ago that was almost exactly the same?
Oh, well. At least if the gadget hounds popularize this contraption, I'll be able to pick up the equivalent of DuraAce STI for under $100. Heh.
Posted by: ibc | August 25, 2008 at 11:51 AM
It has to be better than STI shifters. Give me downtube shifters any day (with index shifting on rear derailleur only).
Posted by: Jack | August 25, 2008 at 02:27 PM
What a bunch of old fuddy-duddies. Did you type your comments on an Underwood Five?
Posted by: washcycle | August 25, 2008 at 03:21 PM
In a vi editor. Both ways.
Posted by: MB | August 26, 2008 at 09:56 AM