Electronic Drivetrain: Is it worth the hype?

MrClortho said:
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.
Click to expand...
XC MTB's have been driving the electronic shifting bandwagon lately. It is still evolving.
 
Upway Certified Pre-Owned E-Bikes Upway E-Bikes Mobile
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.
 
Last edited:
ava1ar said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
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.
 
Urtopia E-Bikes Urtopia E-Bikes Mobile
stompandgo said:
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.
Click to expand...
Don’t forget about the handlebar shifter switch itself!
 
Chazmo said:
Don’t forget about the handlebar shifter switch itself!
Click to expand...
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.
 
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.
 
6zfshdb said:
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.
Click to expand...
This is essentially the same type of system that Aventon has settled on in its newer bikes.

ava1ar said:
If they are using something like a coin batteries, it less the problem - you can swap it with new one -
Click to expand...
True, but yet another thing to check…

Batteries, batteries, batteries… Whatever happened to the self-winding watch? :D
 
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.
Chazmo said:
Whatever happened to the self-winding watch? :D
Click to expand...
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 :)
 
Stefan Mikes said:
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.
Click to expand...
But not Specialized, right?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

E
sold: 2020 Specialized Turbo Creo Expert EVO 58cm, Santa Rosa, CA $3800
Replies
0
Views
1K
eddiecreo
E
W
Cube Kathmandu hybrid bike system weight limits 140 kgs compare 160 kgs why?
Replies
1
Views
4K
warek437
W
S
Fs Blitz TRD Pro E-Bike
Replies
0
Views
467
Susanlourie
S
W
2021 Homage Rohloff for sale in Australia Daul battery 32000K worth buying
Replies
1
Views
455
Stefan Mikes
Stefan Mikes
Stefan Mikes
A Frankenstein Shimano CS-M5100/7000 Cassette :)
Replies
9
Views
3K
Stefan Mikes
Stefan Mikes
Back