Just to clarify, I’m not arguing for one over the other. It is a tired discussion akin to clinchers vs. tubulars. Ride what you like…I don’t need to convince anyone of the the superiority of one over the other.
That said, I do think there are a few questionable claims being made about mechanical systems.
I went back to a mechanical system to get Ekar on my gravel bike, and I can unequivocally say &%() mechanical groupsets. It’s not SRAM bad, it actually works reliably, but it is not even in the same solar system as my 9100 Dura Ace was.
I’ve heard reviews varying from GREAT to AWFUL and everything in between for Ekar…a lot seems to depend on the cable routing of any particular bike.
That said, I do think that we may be reaching the end of mechanical systems for higher end bikes…as the Cog Wars continue to rage, the precision required from mechanical systems may prove to be out of reach. Too many cogs in too tight of a space may make it impossible for mechanical systems to provide relaiable, precise performance moving forward.
Like what?
Heavy sweaters do have issues with equipment that others (most?) don’t have. My previous mechanical left shifter seized because of corrosion due to sweat. As did its electronic successor (it’d eat through batteries). The mechanical shifter could be rebuilt, though.
My overarching point is that just like many other advancements, it need not be about immediate advantages (which often come with tradeoffs), but about things it arguably enables. I think disc brakes allowed for the current breed of road and gravel bikes with clearance for wider tires. (Yes, I know about V- and cantilever brakes.)
Oh, for mechanical it’s great, the best I’ve had by far. It’s just mechanical.
I highlighted them above.
I never disputed that.
I don’t disagree…again, I am not advocating for one system over another.
I almost pulled the trigger on Ekar for my Crux earlier this year…actually had the form filled out with my CC# and had sent it over.
But then I found a good deal on some Force AXS and pulled back the Ekar order…still kinda wonder if I made the right decision. I miss the thumbshifter action of my Campag stuff.
But the Force stuff has been great (although I am gonna upgrade to the new Red E1 shifters before too long)
I almost did the same, just that the shifters were a turnoff. When I tried them on a bike at an event, I didn’t get along with Campag. Plus, they didn’t have a power meter. Also went with Force AXS.
I’m just (mildly) annoyed they ditched the direct mount for MTB, it seems a pretty good connection option. It wouldn’t be difficult to have a UDH to direct hanger.
I’m happy with my 11 speed XT but if it dies I’m stuck with it as the frame is direct mount and can’t get “normal” hangers for it.
This is the bike world with BBs, hangers, brake mounts:
Looks pretty definitive that they’ll use the UDH standard judging from this ‘incoming’ Silca product, good news for compatibility!
Isn’t that just so that existing direct mount derailleurs can be used on UDH frames without the use of a b-link ?
Yep - a UDH to Shimano direct mount has been around for a while, that’s not a new product for this new generation of Shimano
Edit: I’m not a “heavy sweater”, but I am a year round commuter and do have to replace cables a lot, especially with my older DA bike. The GRX goes for 6000 or so miles, and as my commuter only it lasts a pretty long time. On my roadie I would replace a cable about every other month. I spend less time replacing a cable than I do connecting and disconnecting the charging cable on the Shimano. If I ever get around to the new 105 I’m assuming it’ll be similar to the GRX (better than the older generation of DA). I’ve never had a cable fail on my Eagle drivetrain.
LOL…thanks for the reminder. I got a Low Battery warning on the ride yesterday and forgot to charge the battery.
Just plugged it in. 
That’s perfect… Just get the MTB mechs back to direct mount please Mr Shimano!
Side note I don’t understand why road still has direct options on 12 speed but MTB/GRX doesn’t. Just be consistent!
Yes, there is (at least on SRAM). And you can do so while riding. Just press the small AXS buttons. The left button will trim inwards, towards your wheel, the right button will trim away from it. The AXS buttons are located on the inside and have an LED next to them.
You can also trim in the AXS app, but in my experience that doesn’t work as well since you need to apply torque to the drivetrain to tell whether it works well.
That’s definitely not the case for me. A snapped cable means a trip to the bike shop. Also no tools at work.
Obviously some people may have different experiences, but over 5 years and 10,000 miles my 9100 DA group shifted perfectly every time, and was never adjusted one single time in all those years and miles. Its the number 1 reason I think electronic is better than mech. The second reason is its just so much easier to tap a button, and you know you will never overshift. Well those are 2 and 3 I guess.
I’m doing some clean-up this weekend and the number of dead or EOL’ed laptops*, tablets, phones, and other gadgets this household has acquired over the years is sobering. And then of course waves at enshittification. Meanwhile, I can grab a derailleur older than I am and get it to shift with a friction shifter.
* obligatory btw I run Arch
SRAM’s Red E1 suggest that at least SRAM will offer some backwards compatibility as a feature.
I am in love with t-type but a udh frame mounted cable derailleur on a Linkglide cassette would be fantastic, cheap, and durable so that’s in my dreams.
Joe
