Electronic Shifting: Is mountain biking ready?

[rsutton1223]

The writing is on the wall…

With Shimano finding more affordable options for electronic shifting for road bikes in the Ultegra group and Campagnolo finally releasing their groupo, the cycling industry is in a race to see how fast they can get affordable electronic shifting options to the road biking community.

What does this mean for mountain biking? Those same companies are probably researching into ways to adapt this same technology for mountain bikes. With cable shifting running its course on innovations (going 10 speed wasn’t as much innovation as it was just something different), the first to the plate with an electronic option approved for dirt is going to capitalize on new sales as riders get shiny new key syndrome.

For a part of the industry that hasn’t seen anything other than super expensive hydraulic shifting options…it will be interesting to see how it plays out over the next couple of years.

But the question remains…

Is the mountain bike ready for electronic shifting?

Here is how I see it. No.

While I do believe this is an eventual progression just by the way the road industry is headed, I do not think the mountain bike is ready for electronic shifting. There is just too much that goes wrong even under the current cable driven system on the trail that introducing a more expensive, more complicated electronic option will prove to be even more problematic.

What happens when you hit that electronic rear derailleur up against a rock? You think you cried when your $250 X.0 derailleur bent?

I was one of the ones that also thought electronic shifting on road bikes was a little ridiculous until I had the chance to ride the Di2 system. However, even if they are able to bring that level of performance at a price people are willing to pay, the durability of an electronic system on the trail is going to come into question.

Even in a pinch, cable driven systems can be fixed trailside and you can even carry a spare shifting cable in your pack should the worst happen. With electronic options, you will be stuck on the side of the mountain with nothing but Flinstone power to keep you going. I don’t know about you…but riding 7 miles on a Strider like bike doesn’t sound very appealing in the backwoods.

Of course, there is the possibility that I could be completely off base in my assumptions and the big players in the industry have no want to bring electronic shifting to the mountain biking industry at this time. I just have a hard time believing they are not at least testing it out and rumors are flying about Shimano playing with a Di2 version of XTR.

What do you think? Is mountain bike shifting ready to go battery powered?

[Bigred15]

I am a self-proclaimed geardo. I love to read and talk about new and interesting parts and the benefits and drawbacks just as much if not more then the next guy. However, I think this is one thing that I will never get on. For all the reasons you stated above and a few more. I can't be trusted to charge my cell phone, let alone pull batteries out of my shifters and derailleurs to stick in a charger. another problem I have, where is the benefit? I know its supposed to shift smoother and faster, but is it any lighter? Would it be easier to adjust or harder? Would it be more reliable? It's a small concern, but what about those that swear by their grip shifters?

At what point do we stop making bikes more complicated? Maybe I'm turning into a retro grouch, but I just don't see the need for this. Most of the recent advancements have serious safety, performance, and comfort advancements. Hydraulic disc brakes? Safety. Pedaling platforms and advanced suspension linkages? Performance. Shaped seat and chain stays? Comfort. 10 speed drivetrains? Performance. I just don't see where the benefit is. The more junk that comes out, the more I like my single speed. /rant

[Bajabeetle]

My first thought is popping the hood on a 2011 car that won't start...followed by "where do I begin" and a blank stare. I'm out on this one. Cables and carbs are old school, but they work...and prolly will tomorrow also.

[WhitmoreM]

Hello.

Totally agree with replies so far. Sounds great and will be a reality, however not for most of us until cost comes down to current cable equivelant and maintenance is extremely user friendly.

Of course the next ransition from electronic will be WiFi shifting.

[wwwfabien]

I think the main problem with electronic shifting is the autonomy. When you ride MTB you shift very often, lot more than with road bike.
More over i think that raod biker can accept a dysfunctionement during a ride but on a MTB ride it could be very problematic to return home with derailleurs blocked on 22x34 or 42x11 if you're riding in mountain or far from a road.
The risk to break the rear derailleur isn't a big issue. It's rare to break a rear derailleur if you use a Shimano Shadow one. And on other in general you brake the shape, and on an electronic rear derailleur this part isn't specific.

Last year when i spoke about it to Shimano they said that electronic shifting on a MTB wasn't ready to sold because of the price.

[jaydub]

I prefer for (all my bikes) to stay purely mechanical. I don't want electronic components...

and to add: lol, I completely agree with this:

Here is how I see it. No.

I agree. No.

[Fa8tal]

I agree, if it is not broken............ On another note, I still have 9sp on my bikes, and plan to continue until something breaks, then may consider the new 10sp stuff. As for new electronic shifting, well I will never say never, but I will not be the first to buy it.

[mtnbykerman]

I feel like electronic shifting could have issues on the trail because of the beating shifting equipment takes on trails. If anything I like the idea of the hydraulic shifting by Acros but cable shifting works so well, why change it?

[wahoo]

here is the next step... mental shifting:

on that note, electronic shifting just doesn't seem durable enough for trail riding. Maybe someday it will become the standard, but I don't see that happening extremely soon.

[Gator]

Do you really need electronic shifting in mtn biking? I do not see the. Benefit. Road, ok I can. I don't think it is for me. Might as well just get an electric bike and let it pedal for you as well.