sram etap electric shift

[indianajo]

Shifting the rear derailleur is causing arthritis in my thumb joint. I could only practice half the Rhapsody in Blue the other night before the pain made me stop. I've already changed from thumb trigger shifters, that caused a 10 cm dia x 1 cm cyst over my thumb joint 3 years ago, to twist shifters. Even twist shifters load your thumb and 2nd finger, apparently there are none that you can grip with your four fingers. It would be worth $1000 to get back my piano skills. There is an electric shifter, the SRAM etap, for $1650 at thebikepartsstore https://thebikeshopstore.com/catego...ad-shifter-rd-battery-fd-battery-charger-cord. Modern bike doesn't even have it, just repair parts for it. SRAM.com has no product info, just a bunch of stuff I'm not interested in. Does anybody have one? I've an 8 speed rear sprocket cluster. Can it be made to fit an 8 speed rear? Is the kit at thebikestore complete or is there more stuff I have to buy? Will the derailleur fit 11-32 rear sprockets?
I could change the rear sprocket cluster to 11 spd without strain, but I understand the front 3 sprockets have to change too because the chain is thinner. Are there even 3 sprocket clusters (36,42,52) for 11 speed chain? I've never been able to get a front crank arm off & I own 6 different industrial and automotive pullers.
Going to IGH wouldn't help anything, I tried the Sturmey Archer S80 and the shifter spring in that one was stiffer than the spring on a derailleur.
BTW is there some other brand of electric shifter?

 

[smorgasbord]

There are at least two IGHs that support electronic shifting: The Rohloff and the NuVinci Harmony. As far as I know, neither is available as a separate, stand-alone product - you have to buy a bike that has them. So, that's a bummer.


Here is SRAM's page on the etap: https://sram.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/categories/360001399074-SRAM-eTAP-AXS

There is also the new SRAM AXS wireless system, which is a 12-speed with an amazing 10-50 rear cog: https://sram.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/categories/360001399054-SRAM-EAGLE-AXS Seems like the next best thing (or maybe even better) than a Rohloff due to the wide range.


Of course, Shimano has had their Di2 electronic shifting for quite a while. On some eBikes, they leverage the bike's main battery to power it, so you never deal with separate charging, etc.

I don't think any of these support an 8 speed drivetrain. With a triple chainring, you might have problems getting something supportable together.