Electronic Drivetrain: Is it worth the hype?

[stompandgo]

I am sure you are right. This was an official Scott trailer with a mechanic preparing the bikes for the demo rides and he seem to be very knowledgeable. After the ride, I told him about it and he gave me a knowing look, like he already knew this was an issue with the shifter and that was sort of how it was. He thanked me and said he would look it over.

It is a great idea and must be great on road and gravel bikes, but maybe it needs a little time to become refined on XC mtbs. Or, one gets used to its quirks like everything else and it often becomes a non-issue.

XC MTB's have been driving the electronic shifting bandwagon lately. It is still evolving.

 

[ava1ar]

IGH person here, who didn't ride with derailleur and chain for 10+ years. One question I have here reading the discussion - why do we need more batteries and charging on ebike, which already have huge battery installed and wired? This is such an omission in my opinion. Do Shimano or SRAM produce ebike-friendly eshift components? If yes, can they be retrofitted? Otherwise all these accessories are just annoyence for frequent rider. For me this is important factor - if component is critical for riding, it must be powered from main battery. Only optional things like dashcam might have separate battery.

 

[Chazmo]

IGH person here, who didn't ride with derailleur and chain for 10+ years. One question I have here reading the discussion - why do we need more batteries and charging on ebike, which already have hudr battery installed and wired? This is such an omission in my opinion. Do Shimano or SRAM produce ebike-friendly eshift components? If yes, can they be retrofitted? Otherwise all these accessories are just annoyence for frequent rider. For me this is important factor - if component is critical for riding, it must be powered from main battery. Only optional things like dashcam mish have separate battery.

I think this is a really good point. Hopefully, in the future, all this stuff will be integrated by the manufacturer to run off the main battery. Yes, DIYers can always splice into existing wires/cables to draw power, but that is a hassle.

 

[stompandgo]

SRAM AXS systems have cabling options that allow the rear derailleur to the main battery. I know that they have them for Bosch, and for TQ bikes equipped with a Smartbox. I can't comment on other drive systems. Shimano offers versions of their MTB drivetrains that are designed to connect to main batteries, but you have to purchase the specific version. Like SRAM, cables are available for Bosch and TQ systems with a Smartbox. A Shimano CAN adapter may be needed depending on the bike.

So, yes.

 

[Chazmo]

SRAM AXS systems have cabling options that allow the rear derailleur to the main battery. I know that they have them for Bosch, and for TQ bikes equipped with a Smartbox. I can't comment on other drive systems. Shimano offers versions of their MTB drivetrains that are designed to connect to main batteries, but you have to purchase the specific version. Like SRAM, cables are available for Bosch and TQ systems with a Smartbox. A Shimano CAN adapter may be needed depending on the bike.

So, yes.

Don’t forget about the handlebar shifter switch itself!

 

[stompandgo]

Don’t forget about the handlebar shifter switch itself!

Those typically remain wireless.

 

[ava1ar]

Don’t forget about the handlebar shifter switch itself!

If they are using something like a coin batteries, it less the problem - you can swap it with new one - no need to have cable, charger, wait, etc. However, direct wiring to battery makes it more practical.

One important note here is this wiring, even if possible, often require long cables wired though half of the bike, which make setup annoying. Hopefully more modern CAN-based system like Bosch SmartSystem can help here: you just need one pre-wired connector on handlebar to connect display, remote, light, shifter, etc.

 

[6zfshdb]

There are electronic shift systems out there that connect directly to the bike battery and require no separate battery to recharge.
I'm using the Archer D1X system on three of my bikes, which uses an actuator and short cable to connect to almost any derailleur. It connects directly to the bike battery with an adapter cable and its controlled via Bluetooth from a bar mounted paddle shifter. The paddle shifter does have it's own battery, which needs to be recharged twice per season. I can also leave it connected to the USB port on the bike display so no charging at all is necessary.

 

[Chazmo]

There are electronic shift systems out there that connect directly to the bike battery and require no separate battery to recharge.
I'm using the Archer D1X system on three of my bikes, which uses an actuator and short cable to connect to almost any derailleur. It connects directly to the bike battery with an adapter cable and its controlled via Bluetooth from a bar mounted paddle shifter. The paddle shifter does have it's own battery, which needs to be recharged twice per season. I can also leave it connected to the USB port on the bike display so no charging at all is necessary.

This is essentially the same type of system that Aventon has settled on in its newer bikes.

If they are using something like a coin batteries, it less the problem - you can swap it with new one -

True, but yet another thing to check…

Batteries, batteries, batteries… Whatever happened to the self-winding watch?

 

[ava1ar]

Whatever happened to the self-winding watch?

Nothing - wearing one of those on my wrist right now. Not a mainstream anymore, but still valued by those who want their watches just to tell time

 

[Stefan Mikes]

The latest Shimano Di2 MTB electronic drivetrains: -260 (6260, 8260 and 9260) -- as Stomp said -- can be connected by a wire with the Bosch or Shimano motors for power and exciting new features such as Free Shift or Auto Shift. The switch-shifter is powered by coin batteries that can last even for a year.

Even with a totally battery powered e-drivetrain, you get the batteries' levels on a Garmin or Wahoo. A good wireless derailleur requires charging once a month.

Whatever happened to the self-winding watch?

Except extremely expensive mechanical wristwatches, the mechanical wristwatches are inaccurate compared to the quartz ones. Additionally, quartz watches can be solar and need no coin battery (own two of them). Additionally, quartz watches can be synchronized to a radio time beacon or online (atomic clock in either case). Now it is clear Chazmo you are a bit backwards person

 

[ava1ar]

The latest Shimano Di2 MTB electronic drivetrains: -260 (6260, 8260 and 9260) -- as Stomp said -- can be connected by a wire with the Bosch or Shimano motors for power and exciting new features such as Free Shift or Auto Shift. The switch-shifter is powered by coin batteries that can last even for a year.

But not Specialized, right?

 

[stompandgo]

You can get Shimano wireless electronic shifter (road and MTB) battery status through the E-Tube Cyclist app.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

But not Specialized, right?

Not. It doesn't worry me. I use the latest Shimano Di2, totally wireless in my Vado SL. One wire less. Zero complication on the setup.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

You can get Shimano wireless electronic shifter (road and MTB) battery status through the E-Tube Cyclist app.

Why? It is on my Wahoo!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

A good news. Wheeltop has agreed to replace my faulty EDS OX2.0 derailleur.

 

[stompandgo]

Why? It is on my Wahoo!

Why? Because maybe the OP doesn't own a cycling computer and has no desire to own one.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Why? Because maybe the OP doesn't own a cycling computer and has no desire to own one.

I'm the OP.

 

[LandoftheGiants]

electronic drivetrain electronic drivetrain. Another silly marketing term. The pedals and cranks and bottom bracket, along with the chain and sprockets are the lion's share of the 'drivetrain' and they are not electronic. They invent all this great technology and then use ridiculous terminology to describe it. I find it a little insulting myself, like who doesn't know the difference between electronic shifters and mechanical shifters? It's like the whole 'road bike' marketing pitch, "Oh you want to ride on the road? Well then you'll need a $3000 carbon fiber with dropbars etc etc. Step over here sir,"

A toughroad flatbar gravelbike is a 'roadbike' too but it has to have it's own special category that obfuscates it's abilities. And honestly, having 3 of them downstairs, I wouldn't consider riding them on the gravel roads out here. You want an MTB for that, something with wider tires and some suspension else you'll be skittering all over the place. Call them a hardpack dirtroad bike if you must. The bike industry has lost all sensibilities, and responsibilities, in it's drive for greater sales. Get some noob and fill their head full of nonsense as you empty their bank account. All they wanted was to get a little basic exercise but they get sent on a technological pilgrimage to find the one ring to rule them all. I know the more advanced riders, like you guys chatting here, are chasing a bit more performance etc and that's normal hey, but noobs to cycling just need a basic bike and some miles under them to see if they really want the lifestyle. Many don't and their bikes collect dust.

Sorry for the rant...

 

[jabberwocky]

Sorry for the rant...

I mean, pretty much every manufacturer under the sun makes basic flat bar general purpose bikes with utilitarian specs. Its not like that ever went away. All the various genres and subgenres and nitpicking about various categories is more for enthusiasts. Its like that in every hobby. You can spend big money chasing smaller and smaller gains, and spend lots of energy obsessing about smaller and smaller differences. At the end of the day, its your bike and it only matters to the extent that it increases your enjoyment of riding it.