Guinessisgoodforyou
rBotM Winner
I'm firmly in, I ride the old s**t camp, (generic term) That said I have an open mind, otherwise I'd never learn anything.
Electronic Groupsets.....good idea or utterly pointless for most people ?
- Thread starter Mangizmo
- Start date
Guinessisgoodforyou
rBotM Winner
Perhaps you should try it before you criticize it. How can you critique something you have not used in the real world? I don't see how?
Mangizmo
Raleigh Fan
OK the negatives as I see them....and this is a discussion thread remember so I am not looking to argue or squabble, just light hearted discussion:
1. Very expensive when compared to existing mechanical technology which has been refined and perfected over decades to the point that even entry level mechanical is pretty impressive and slick
2. Manufacturer specific, so you cant mix and match components from different manufacturers and different decades
3. Requires recharging so would not really be suitable for long tours to remote areas
4. Replacement parts availability, so how would you get on replacing a rear changer while on tour in say Mexico, India or even the West Coast of Scotland ?
5. Dependant on Firmware which needs manufacturer support
6. Extra buttons, Auto trim, integration with smartphones etc. seem pretty trivial advantages that dont offset the disadvantages (for me at least)
7. Easy set up is a claimed advantage, but just how hard is it for somebody with even basic mechanical aptitude to get a mechanical system working sweetly ?, a quick twist of a barrel, a tiny tweak of a limit screw....job done
I can see why manufacturers are going this way, the problem for them is that they have nowhere else to go with mechanical systems, refined over the decades, mechanical systems (even low end) are precision made, slick and even if you go for low cost mechanical, it works pretty brilliantly, however this is no good for Shimano/Sram etc., they need us to bin what we have and lock ourselves into a whole new system and embrace their new world.
I am no Luddite, far from it, ex IBM field engineer, worked for Siemens IT systems for years and doubtless many will buy it and enjoy it, good luck to them, but I cant see this taking hold in countries like India etc, its a developed world luxury item and obviously has advantages in pro cycling....so not for me
1. Very expensive when compared to existing mechanical technology which has been refined and perfected over decades to the point that even entry level mechanical is pretty impressive and slick
2. Manufacturer specific, so you cant mix and match components from different manufacturers and different decades
3. Requires recharging so would not really be suitable for long tours to remote areas
4. Replacement parts availability, so how would you get on replacing a rear changer while on tour in say Mexico, India or even the West Coast of Scotland ?
5. Dependant on Firmware which needs manufacturer support
6. Extra buttons, Auto trim, integration with smartphones etc. seem pretty trivial advantages that dont offset the disadvantages (for me at least)
7. Easy set up is a claimed advantage, but just how hard is it for somebody with even basic mechanical aptitude to get a mechanical system working sweetly ?, a quick twist of a barrel, a tiny tweak of a limit screw....job done
I can see why manufacturers are going this way, the problem for them is that they have nowhere else to go with mechanical systems, refined over the decades, mechanical systems (even low end) are precision made, slick and even if you go for low cost mechanical, it works pretty brilliantly, however this is no good for Shimano/Sram etc., they need us to bin what we have and lock ourselves into a whole new system and embrace their new world.
I am no Luddite, far from it, ex IBM field engineer, worked for Siemens IT systems for years and doubtless many will buy it and enjoy it, good luck to them, but I cant see this taking hold in countries like India etc, its a developed world luxury item and obviously has advantages in pro cycling....so not for me
Guinessisgoodforyou
rBotM Winner
1, Yes.
2, Yes.
3, No, solar charging is a thing.
4, If your mech is that knackered it fails, should have checked before you left. No sympathy.
5, Yes, mobile phone, internet is a thing.
6, My friend owned a bike shop. The one thing he said was that women really struggle with gearing and cross chaining. Di2 just trims automatically, also some women find it physically hard to shift the sti. Maybe in that instance it's a good thing, because cycling is a sausage fest.
7, Very! Look at the questions people have regarding indexing set up, loads of problems.
I maintain you can't have an opinion about something you haven't used. I still want to try it.
2, Yes.
3, No, solar charging is a thing.
4, If your mech is that knackered it fails, should have checked before you left. No sympathy.
5, Yes, mobile phone, internet is a thing.
6, My friend owned a bike shop. The one thing he said was that women really struggle with gearing and cross chaining. Di2 just trims automatically, also some women find it physically hard to shift the sti. Maybe in that instance it's a good thing, because cycling is a sausage fest.
7, Very! Look at the questions people have regarding indexing set up, loads of problems.
I maintain you can't have an opinion about something you haven't used. I still want to try it.
@Mangizmo - which system have you used out of interest?
The only valid point in any of that is the firmware updates. It’s not been out long enough for us to know what will happen.
All the other points are extreme examples that less than 1% of users will encounter on their Sunday morning route. How many tours of India and Mexico have you done ?
However I’ll humour you by saying that If someone is running Di2 I very much doubt that in this day and age sourcing a mech is an issue with the wonders of a mobile phone and internet access.
Charging is easily sorted no different that likely the phone which you carry around no doubt.
Of course it’s a luxury item at the moment. A groupset costs the same as a second hand motorbike. But this technology will trickle down to the point where it’ll be everywhere. GX AXS is sub £400 now which is cheap in my eyes and it’ll no doubt go lower eventually.
The only valid point in any of that is the firmware updates. It’s not been out long enough for us to know what will happen.
All the other points are extreme examples that less than 1% of users will encounter on their Sunday morning route. How many tours of India and Mexico have you done ?
However I’ll humour you by saying that If someone is running Di2 I very much doubt that in this day and age sourcing a mech is an issue with the wonders of a mobile phone and internet access.
Charging is easily sorted no different that likely the phone which you carry around no doubt.
Of course it’s a luxury item at the moment. A groupset costs the same as a second hand motorbike. But this technology will trickle down to the point where it’ll be everywhere. GX AXS is sub £400 now which is cheap in my eyes and it’ll no doubt go lower eventually.
dorset boy
Senior Retro Guru
Sadly the Geek shall inherit the earth 
Guinessisgoodforyou
rBotM Winner
Very goodSadly the Geek shall inherit the earth
Similar threads
