auto gearshifts for bicycles

[wobblysauce]

So, now people on bikes are going to fall off bridges.

[CLP]

might be just me, but i reckon someone who has shelled out for the ultra-cool Di2 system wouldn't be that thrilled about riding around with an iphone mounted to their bike.

[norbs]

might be just me, but i reckon someone who has shelled out for the ultra-cool Di2 system wouldn't be that thrilled about riding around with an iphone mounted to their bike.

Unless you can jam it up under the saddle where it wont be seen.

[Crowella]

This sounds like the kind of thing that might go into cycling computers in the near future. Considering that shifting is just done by a button now, you can go one step further and integrate it all together.

[Jamo]

Sounds like a total wank to me, but then again Vanilla DI2 does also.

[w00dsy]

Just get a fixie if you're too lazy to change gears.

[norbs]

Sounds like a total wank to me, but then again Vanilla DI2 does also.

Ride it and see what you think.

I know I am only coming off the experience of my 105 gruppo, but holy snapping Armstrong testicle, Di2 is awesome!

[Jamo]

Why? I really do not get it?

[norbs]

Why? I really do not get it?

I didn't either, until I rode it.

It only happened on Saturday afternoon. A local guy got a new Giant full carbon job with Di2. He has seen me out and we have chatted a few times. He wanted to borrow a couple of tools off me and bought the new bike around. It has Speedplay Zero pedals, so I rode it in my work boots, but it was terrific.

I didn't realise how ordinary my bike was until I rode Dave's Cervelo with SRAM Red. That was a big step up, but Di2 is even better. The changes are so positive. And nearly instant.

Honestly Jamo, it is hard to explain. It is just better. If you are already running Dura Ace it might not be a huge step. It was for me.

Self tuning would be worth it alone.

[CLP]

As someone who for the last few months has been considering buying a Di2 equipped bike, i wish you weren't writing such glowing reviews Norbs.. you're gonna cost me money

[Jamo]

I was thinking of going full Ultegra on the BMC and switching the 105 groupset to my Jamis for use as a commuter.

Dura Ace over Ultegra? I will not ever go this electric bollocks route but if you reckon the mechanical systems are that good. I've ridden Dura Ace myself and honestly could hardly tell the difference over my at the time well tuned Sora. But that being said, I'm the kinda bloke where you could pull apart my bike and do things like put the stem on upside down and I would not even notice. I just adapt to what I've got.

[norbs]

I was thinking of going full Ultegra on the BMC and switching the 105 groupset to my Jamis for use as a commuter.

Dura Ace over Ultegra? I will not ever go this electric bollocks route but if you reckon the mechanical systems are that good. I've ridden Dura Ace myself and honestly could hardly tell the difference over my at the time well tuned Sora. But that being said, I'm the kinda bloke where you could pull apart my bike and do things like put the stem on upside down and I would not even notice. I just adapt to what I've got.

So the question that springs to mind, why not a $999 Cell bike instead of a BMC?

[Duke]

Sorry but for me any Electronic Group is no go. But not for how much better it is, which it is (like they say once you go Black (carbon that is) you never go back) but because of its lack of serviceability in the field of play & for a home mechanics (as I do really love tinkering with my bikes).

Just re-watch any of this years grand tours to see how many bike swaps occurred due to mechanics not being able to do a thing if an electro group started misbehaving. Loved seeing riders loose their cool because of it.

As for self-tuning, Mech groups are already starting to implement some aspects of this, SRAM (yaw) & Shimano DA are the start with single click front shifting. I think you'll find the next evolution may introduce a better rear tuning & possibly automate / sync front to rear derailleur shifting to mimic the electro self adjustment & precision.
I hope so any way

[Jamo]

A very astute question at that Todd. Short answer it's sexy

Seriously though I'm starting to get pretty good at this cycling caper and I'm also really enjoying it. So I figured it was time for a nice mount.

So DA over Ultegra worthwhile?

[mrleisure]

Just get Campy , you'll never look back

[Duke]

Just get Campy , you'll never look back

Oh dear, that's because if you use Campy you never get anywhere so it's no point looking back.

[mrleisure]

Oh dear, that's because if you use Campy you never get anywhere so it's no point looking back.

You'll see the light one day

Can't say I can see any advantage in electronic shifting , just aded complications and expense .

[Duke]

Oh dear, that's because if you use Campy you never get anywhere so it's no point looking back.

You'll see the light one day

Can't say I can see any advantage in electronic shifting , just aded complications and expense .

Well that's my issue with Campy, to have a 5 (or is it 4) indent front shifting system is just not needed these days, adds unnecessary complication that deters from the other good aspects of their top range groups. :P

[mrleisure]

I'm not sure what your saying with the 5 or 4 indent shifting thing Flinty . The Centaur set I've got on my bike works like this [youtube] [/youtube]
with the lever for your fingers and the button for your thumbs but I find the Tiagra set on my sons bike very good as well , seems easy to use . Is the newer Campy stuff different ? I don't know .

[Jamo]

Since no one has an opinion on DA over Ultegra how's about Ultegra over 105?

Worth the dosh?

[Crowella]

I chose Ultegra because out of the DA/Ultegra/105, it was the best between cost/durability/performance. I couldn't justify the extra money for DA.

[CLP]

Since no one has an opinion on DA over Ultegra how's about Ultegra over 105?

Worth the dosh?

i have 105 of 2 of my bikes (old roadie (5600 series) and my CX bike (5700 series)) and Ultegra on my Carbon Roadie (6600 series). Miss V has 105 on her Roadie (5600 series).

Finish quality on the Ultegra components is noticeably better and the shifting performance is a bit smoother. That said, 105 is plenty good enough performance-wise and is good value for money.

worth the money to go for Ultegra over 105? depends on your budget and intended usage.

Cyclocross... 105 is plenty good enough, and given the environment it's used in, i'm not likely to go broke if i snap a derailleur (have seen a few Campy Record derailleurs busted in CX .. expensive hobby this cycling business )

Commuting .. toss up between 105 and Ultegra. Probably better off getting 105 since it's a bit more robust.. and with the extra usage a commuter bike gets it'd be subject to additional wear and tear.. so 105 is ultimately cheaper to replace worn components. That said, Ultegra would be nicer to use day in day out.. so maybe a set of Ultegra shifters coupled with a 105 groupset

Race bike: Ultegra (or Dura Ace) ... you can probably put upper end prestige/show/cafe bikes in here too.. if you have the money, why not get the higher end component? It's an area of diminishing returns at this end of the spectrum... Ultegra fits in as a happy medium for performance and budget constraints.

[Duke]

Most ppl including me will tell you there is a bigger step up from 105 to Ultegra compared to Ultegra to DA.
Ultegra is much more inline with the design & function of DA than 105 is to Ultegra & DA, although 105 is geting closer to Ultegra with every iteration.
Considering the cost Ultegra is the most value for money (along with SRAM Force or Campy Athena) if your leaning towards a higher end group while 105 is all about being the group for the masses who want to feel & look at what a more competitive group is all about. Just my opinion though.

[norbs]

Since no one has an opinion on DA over Ultegra how's about Ultegra over 105?

Worth the dosh?

Since when has dosh been a factor for you?

I remember some bastard saying..... "I've ridden Dura Ace myself and honestly could hardly tell the difference over my at the time well tuned Sora"

Get Sora.

[Jamo]

Yeah you're right Norbs but I'm at least trying to tame some of my exuberant spending. Not much luck I'm about to drop 500+ on a new set of bars and stem.

It was a Sora/Tiagra combo to be precise I think you blokes have sold me on the Ultegra upgrade, actually mostly to get the 105 and replace said combo.