There’s no shortage of electronic shifting options for mountain bike drivetrains, from big brands like Shimano and SRAM and smaller ones like Classified and Archer. With such widespread availability, we’re curious to know what you’re currently running.
If you answered no and aren’t interested in electronic shifting, tell us why in the comments below.
38 Comments
Jul 12, 2023
I would never go back to mechanical shifting on either my mtb or road bike. Its more precise, and what anyone says, you definitely do not have to fiddle with indexing nearly as much.
Jul 12, 2023
Dec 4, 2023
Jul 12, 2023
Jul 2, 2023
I’m still very much in the NOT interested camp.
Dec 4, 2023
Jul 2, 2023
Frankly, I'm with you since reliability is job one. Not to mention the absurd cost. I'd rather bury the cash in a custom frame.
Dec 4, 2023
Jul 5, 2023
1) there’s something special about the bicycle as a purely mechanical vehicle
I really don’t want to keep track of charging batteries to ride my bike. I have a nice pump in my car and check tire pressure before each ride, but this is different.
2) considering point 1, I have been really happy with the overall performance price and reliability of 11 speed drivetrains. XT and XO1 11 speed are both excellent and XT with an 11-46 cassette is my current favorite.
To expand on point 2, I’ve found 12 speed to be more finicky compared to 11 speed. (I have a few years on both GX and XT)
I see why SRAM has moved to electronic systems to get better performance and reliability out of tightly spaced 12 speed systems. I’m NOT convinced this is a good solution for the average MTBer. The cheapest XO1 transmission chain is $100. Not cassette… CHAIN.
I find the spacing between gears to be more than adequate with 11 speeds (and suspect I’d be happy with 10 as well)… so why spend and extra $1k to get good performance with 12 speed?? (The only good answer I see is that one of the major component manufacturers is trying to make this the ONLY available option for high performance drivetrains.)
If you look at what Shimano has done with XT 8130 link-glide, I think this is a much better solution for the average rider. I’d like to see an option for a lighter cassette… understanding that there’s a durability trade-off. Otherwise I’m super excited to try a purpose built wide range 11 speed mechanical drivetrain from Shimano.
_
Take all this with a grain of salt… I also ride and love a custom steel SS hardtail. It’s the bike I grab for 50% of my rides :)
Jul 6, 2023
Jul 6, 2023
When I travel I definitely appreciate the extra range on my Ripmo V2.
But I’d be more than happy with 11-48 or 11-50 with an 11speed setup. I still question the need for 12 cogs on a mtb
Jul 2, 2023
Jul 8, 2023
Jul 6, 2023
And before everyone starts talking about how they never have to adjust their shifting -- you're either full of it or you ride only smooth trails carefully. I have SRAM 1x11, SRAM 1x12, Shimano 1x12. Yes 11 speed is a lot more tolerant. No it is not perfect, and you can get it out of shape without any known event happening.
Jul 8, 2023
As soon as I notice my AXS not shifting, I know something is wrong with my hanger.
Jul 6, 2023
Dec 4, 2023
Jul 2, 2023
I think a lot of my admiration for the Di2 system has to do with the terrain I ride, lots of short, very steep hills (drumlins?) where I'm constantly dumping or adding a lot of cogs. I -LOVE- the Di2's ability to both add and dump cogs in an instant -and- under torque without complaining, something my standard XTR will moan and yelp about. I think if I rode flatter terrain or terrain where the hills announced themselves, the Di2 would be less relevant.
Not certain why folks worry about the batteries; I've had my Di2 bike 6 years, and I still only charge it twice a season. The batteries have been a complete non-issue.
Jul 3, 2023
Jul 3, 2023
Jul 8, 2023
On my XC bike it's pretty great (XX1). But I only race that bike, it otherwise goes unused.
On my trail bike, I'm less of a fan. It works flawlessly. Click, shift. But I hate that I have to worry about if my battery charged before I can ride, and I have killed a battery on my rides a couple of times (I like to go big). I also ended up with a dead remote battery after about 6 months and was camping away from anything. Luckily I had my XC bike with me and swapped the batteries. I will be swapping back to XO1 mechanical on that one in the near future, after about a year of use.
I'm trying to avoid electronic on my road bikes, but sadly you can't get Dura Ace or Red non electronic, so I might be stuck with it. I might run the new 105 mechanical, but I'm annoyed I can't get Dura Ace.
Jul 6, 2023
No batteries to worry about- check!
Don't have to wait for a charge before I go for a ride- check!
Simple to repair- check!
Less junk to break and have to fix- check!- check!- check!
My new mountain bike!
Jul 3, 2023
Jul 3, 2023
Jul 8, 2023
Some of us run 12 speed for good reasons. My climbs are steep, and I need tall gearing to clear some jumps I like. Not everyone need that, and you are better off saving money of you don't. But I love having a 32x50 and a 32x10 on the same cassette.
Jul 6, 2023
Jul 17, 2023
Jul 3, 2023
Jul 6, 2023
Jul 3, 2023
Jul 27, 2023
23 Transition Relay - AXS XX Transmission only about 500 miles. Zero issues.
Yes, is expensive. Yes, your battery can go out but you can also break a cable. What's easier to replace trailside?
I carry 2 extra batteries because I'm insane and they are light. I've only ever used them to bail out friends that forget to charge every 20+ hours.
Also...microadjust if you have problems mid-ride. Better than carrying a derailleur hanger tool or a bike stand.
Both are incredible in my opinion.
1 tip, remove them for long drives over about an hour. The bike thinks it's riding!
Jul 6, 2023
Jul 5, 2023
Jul 6, 2023
Jul 6, 2023
Jul 5, 2023
Really how much do we need to spend to go up and down hills.
Jul 6, 2023
My answer is "No, but I am open to the idea". If..... If it works well, most importantly and then if it is reasonably priced, and preferably if it doesn't require too much retrofitting to work on my bike.
I used to be a SRAM fan and ran GX eagle components but since I bought a bike with the Shimano XT/XTR build I think I prefer that setup better. Ultimately I'm not tied to either of the two major players and I defer back to my previous "ifs" regarding a choice between brands.
Jul 8, 2023
It has down sides, which I made on my post about it. But functionally, I can't complain.