The accuracy of eTap or Di2 with the longevity and low maintenance of a proper gearbox like Pinion seems a possibility. How come the bigger gear companies aren't going this way?
I suspect the cost is daft and maybe market booty huge, but much of the cleverness and cost of eTap or Di2 would be easier to engineer and more protected from damage....
I know there's a few 'bodge' solutions such as Shimano Nexus Di2 and aftermarket bolt on for other hub gears.
Everything else is aimed at e-bike, stepless and automatic transmission.
Gearboxes are niche/expensive enough, I think adding electronic shifting would make them (even more) of an expensive option.
Looking at Nordest who have a couple of ti gearbox and non-gearbox frames, they're an extra 1300 euros for a gearbox version, adding electronic shifting would add another 700 euros at least I'd think - making it 3500 euros for a ti hardtail frame and gearbox.
I'm a huge fan of electronic shifting but the majority aren't, and the lack of compatibility that gearboxes have is just another factor in the limited appeal.
Unless shimano/Sram start making a gearbox I don't see them taking off.
Wouldn't it be even better if it was a double clutch constant engagement system so you wouldn't even have to back of the power. You could also have some awesome electro mechanical clatter as it shifted. Add a pneumatic pump and it could have wooo-tishhh noises.
😉
I can’t believe pinion and someone like cinq innovations (make triggers for it, and dynamo/power pack type things) aren’t working in it tbh. That said, I’d imagine it’s a VERY small market. Though it might encourage sales of GB equipped full bikes, as competition to AXS/Di2 setups.
I guess they need to make a gearbox that is simple enough and field repairs me and works well enough to replace the derailleur first.
Adding electronics to a poor design seems like throwing bad money after good.
How about one of these Matt, hub gears so maybe not exactly what you are after but why not add a motor too? I like that it has the ebike equivalent of a quick shifter Set up
And the price of that ^ is astronomical but made to look reasonable by recent Specialized and Santa Cruz ebike launches
May be an option for e-bikes but gearbox solutions will only make it big time on pedal only bikes when the drag gets down to derailleur levels.
How come the bigger gear companies aren’t going this way?
Who's going to buy it? For every XTR groupset sold, Shimano probably sell 10 XTs, 1000 Deores, and 10000 Altus's. Gearboxes suffer from frictional losses compared to derailleurs, so racers aren't interested. If they thought they could make money off it, they would be selling it, so obviously they don't think there's enough of a market to make it worth the development cost.
surely were just getting to electric motorbikes?
surely were just getting to electric motorbikes?
Nope, not even motorbikes have electronic shifting, there are aftermarket systems but they're mostly used by people who have lost some or all use of thier left foot.