There already was. Mavic did some years ago….for road bikes.

Tried it on a TT at my LBS I really liked it shifted fast and seemed very intuitive very temped for next road bike when funds allow…so 2020 then!!! 😆

So you’ll be voting for this option then “Yes! I can’t wait for technology to catch up off road!”

Hmm, but Mavic never tested it in Bolton. In November.

The new Ultegra is excellent, saving up for it now.

already got di2 on my mtb

I’ll have it when its cheap and reliable/strong enough to be a viable option for me. I love the idea of never having to adjust my gears again.

Since cables work well for me and are lot cheaper I cannot see the point unless you are a competitive racer. Also for me I would forget to charge the battery and end up in one gear on ride, probably a really tall one when hitting a big hill. Also cable systems are alot cheaper to fix when they go wrong.

I’m sticking to cables until cable systems are no longer sold.

Argued at medium length on a thread in the last day or 2.

I’d like to try It…won’t buy till it’s affordable.

It seems to have many advantages over cables.

Current prices for shifters, derailleurs and battery pack for Ultegra Di2 as an upgrade are coming in at about £1000.

It’s a dear do, but folk will spend that on a pair of deep section wheels without thinking, and this is way better in terms of performance and bragging rights.

Thing is, I like the fettling bit of owning a bike. Mind you, if someone wants to give me a TT bike with DI2 on it, I won’t say no 🙂

i can see it becoming normal within a few years for most mid/higher end bikes on and off road. Will i buy it? not yet as i can’t afford the current options, but i don’t see a problem.

Most definitely not. Not till it’s wirelesss, self-charging and contained within a decent 11-14 speed hub gear.

Till it’s wireless I really don’t see the point. Cables are light, strong, simple and work very well. Solution in search of problem, again.

why change a tried and tested design no need for it if u ask me.
as mentioned i enjoy the fettling if it keeps going like this mechanics will be exempt and ul take your bike to a IT center.

Rode a road bike with the Ultegra stuff on a couple of weeks ago. It was a revalation. No doubt it is the future. I normally ride dura ace and would have swopped there and then.

Those who’ve ridden it long term round here report no issues with battery life or reliability.

Understand the wireless point but is that going to be a realality with the number of frequencies that would be needed in a road bunch?

I think the potential is even greater off road and they are already playing with an electric hub. This is where I would make my first buys I think.

Even the shimano press officer sees this as being difficult for mountainbikes. Its very testing environment. Waterproofing and crashing. Robustness and reliability

For me – solution in search of a problem and KISS

@ontar
Yup, I am going to wait for the wireless,solar charged one(with the optional mind control connection ).
😀

Di2 looks awesome for road bikes, the auto-trim feature would make my life 83% better.

For it to be practical for mountain bikes, I think it would have to be easily bodgeable on the trailside after a rock has had it’s way with it.

I also think it needs AM/FM radio and a red LED clock.

In a word, no.

It’ll be great – the road stuff is pretty much universally loved

I’m slightly reassured that they’re not rushing it out for mtbs

(If it’s more precise, they could squeeze in an extra sprocket or two as well 😉 )

I don’t think the waterproofing is an issue TJ – it’s been holding up just fine on the road which is bad for spray, etc.

Robustness might be a concern but then current mechs aren’t really all that tough either.

I’ve tried it, it’s great but too expensive for me so I’ll be waiting until it’s available at XT or maybe XTR prices.

The environment on the road is nothing like as harsh as mountainbiking.

If the tenet of the original post was – do each of us personally see e-gears in our future – then for me it’s a yes , each rider has their own choice , no need to rubbish the idea as in the ‘uppy downy’ seat post threads. The shimano line about reliability etc is just playing for time I reckon, e-gearing and controls are used in much harsher environments than MTBing ,it’s more a pricing issue , TJ a crash is a crash and e-gears will not fare any worse than cabled in a really bad mash up, if the mech hanger snaps it snaps either way, indexing aint the problem, it’ll be easier. Dons tin hat and waits for incomig…

proof TJ? you’ll note I only commented on waterproofing.

I think you may be missing the point TJ the harshness of the MTB environment will be just the same for the cassette chain and derailleur, but it will be better without the cables and fittings.

Rather harsher environment than road.
06 guy swamp by TandemJeremy, on Flickr

The environment on the road is nothing like as harsh as mountainbiking.

Water is water, there’s no more of it off road than on. Pro Tour bikes are generally jet washed daily, it wouldn’t work if it wasn’t waterproof. Also whilst mechs are more susceptible to rocks on an MTB, mass pile ups on the road tend to destroy mechs (which have a crash protection feature to disengage them from the servos to protects against damage) en masse. I think folk are really overstating the ‘it’s not tough enough for MTBs’ thing.

I’d have it, off and on road today.

Jamesco – No I am not missing the point. Complex electro mechanical systems and the harshness of the mountainbiking environment are not a good mix. The mud in that puddle above would / did have the mech completely submerged in fine abrasive acid mud. How abouthe clay mud of the south gumming up the works preventing it from moving? what about when you bend it in a crash?

anecdote not proof. Go on TJ admit you don’t have any which by your own standards makes you wrong 😉

Actually, don’t bother – we all know you’ve made your mind up you old reactionary, you 🙂

again, waterproofing is what I mentioned.

It’s coming, prices will fall as always. You will all have it in a few years.

I’m just waiting for the road frame I want to stick it on, and I can’t wait! I’m pretty sure it won’t make a jot of difference to my times. For mtb use, i’ll reserve comment, i’m sure there will be plenty of fuel to power tj’s i’mrightathon.

…..and for that reason I’m out. Off to start a new thread.

Complex electro mechanical systems and the
harshness of the mountainbiking environment
are not a good mix. The mud in that puddle
above would / did have the mech completely
submerged in fine abrasive acid mud. How
abouthe clay mud of the south gumming up the
works preventing it from moving?

of course they’re all valid concerns and you *could* be right but again you don’t know. You just want it not to work. We’ll see soon enough.

Its not that I don’t want it to work – its I see significant problems with it.

Significant theoretical problems.

And you say what happens when you bend it, what happens when you bend a normal mech? Di2 ones are less fragile because of their ability to detatch themselves from the servos, there’s in built crash protection that a cable pulled mech doesn’t have.

Maybe I’m misjudging you tj but I just don’t believe you though I don’t think it’s anything you’re doing consciously.

As I said I have the same concerns since they’re the obvious ones to have but then current gear systems are far from perfect too. And incidentally many of the less open minded roadies claimed it’d never work on the road for similar reasons.

the price will definitely come down – if you think about the pricing then:

– the Di2 mechs are clearly more complex than the mechanical ones, with the motors built in, so it’s reasonable that they should be more £
– the STI may well be simpler than the mechanical versions, as they have switches rather than ratchets, so could easily be no more expensive.
– you have a battery, which obviously costs a bit but not silly money
– and a few cables, which cost very little

so, it’s reasonable to think the Di2 prices won’t be much more than the equivalent mechanical prices, after a few years. Hopefully.

I’d like lighter hub gears first and then electronic shifting.

I agree with TJ.
One thing with the current mechanical system is that when crap gets in it, it carries on working, just not as well as you’d want. Whereas with electronics it’s going to be a bit all or nothing.
Having said that Shimano aren’t stupid.

I have no idea what the current roadie models involve, but 2 opposing motors and no return spring could lead to fundamental redesign of the mech, allowing better mud room etc

Cables seem greener to me, if you use Green Oil’s lube on the cables and housings and look after the cables, they can last for ages and be easily recycled when they’re knackered. Friction cable gears for me because things can get bent and still be mostly usable.

Campag’s road gears seem robust with them being tested under water, but I still think cables are greener which seems to fit in with cycling more for me.