this post was submitted on 20 Aug 2024
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Cyberpunk
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A transhumanistic edge of society in dystopia. Daily life has been impacted by rapid technological takeover.
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What a world we live in. Why on earth would you want these kinds of shifters in the first place? Seems like an easy thing to malfunction.
Easier indexing.
Ability to trim each gear independently.
Fine tuning so at each extreme on the cassette you don't get chain rub on a front deraileur.
Faster gear changes.
No cables to stretch and also to give a cleaner look to the bike itself.
Ability to mount the "shifters" where severe you like.
Ability to run a wide range of different cassettes rather than just 11 speed for example.
I'm with you in that it isn't something I personally can see myself ever wanting and there are also many downsides such as the possibility of running out of battery, electrical malfunction etc. But there are many perfectly valid reasons for wanting the tech as well.
Also, you can connect them to your bike computer and get additional data on how you ride.
Thanks for writing this out, I found it very informative - even if I wouldn't use them
Yes, you're right, of course. But yes, not practical for us regular bike users in most cases, I'd think!
But at least right now they are only available in expensive bikes, so not something your average bike rider would buy anyways. I doubt you'll see many electronic shifters on people's commuter or city bikes.
Unless they come down in price and go mainstream, it's only two groups that buy them: actual athletes, where those marginal gains do make a difference and are worth the downsides, and enthusiasts with enough money to spare for their hobby. For the latter value or everyday practicability are probably less of a concern.
A bike is an easy thing to malfunction, we should just walk.