The Gear Debate: Electronic Bike Shifting versus Manual Shifting

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Electronic gears are becoming more commonplace in road biking and triathlon. But like any new kit development, there are pros and cons. Want to know my opinion? Let's get geeky!

Manual gear shifting has dominated road cycling, and triathlon, for as long as we can remember. There have been major developments (in the early days, there were only two gears!) and shifter/cable positioning has progressed a lot. But now there's a new kid on the block: electronic shifting. How will it change the way we switch gears out on the road?

The history of electronic shifting - This new tech looks set to revolutionise the way we change gear on the bike. Electronic shifting, where little lightweight electric servos replace our traditional gear cables. Mavic has been working on an early version of this technology since the early 1990s, although early efforts failed (as with most exciting new inventions!). 

It wasn't until Shimano and Campagnolo took Mavic's early ideas and developed them for Pro cycling team use that electronic shifting looked like it could work in the real world. Remember the Shimano Dura Ace Di2 in 2009? That was the first time we saw an electronic groupset outside of the R&D workshop. The Di2 system was wired, and powered by just one lithium ion battery. There were tiny servos in the derailleurs, and the electric front shifting worked like a dream. There was one major problem with the Di2, of course. It cost over £3K for the group. In 2011, Campag rolled out Record and Super Record to the wider public. Italian workmanship meant an improved feel and much more satisfying riding experience. But the price was still pretty astronomical. 

Plus points:

  • Campag EPS is better looking (as you'd expect with Italian styling) and takes the edge when it comes to ergonomics.
  • Shimano Di2 is slightly cheaper, has better battery placement, and people seem to report better performance.
  • Electronic shifting is reliable and robust. It will shift accurately for thousands of miles and doesn't need regular maintenance like manual gear shifting systems do. And the performance of electronic still outperforms manual.

Downsides:

  • The cost. Like any new technology, you pay for what you get, and you should expect to pay handsomely for the aesthetics and performance of electronic shifting.
  • Entry-level electronic groups are bringing costs down slightly, but still expect to pay over £1.2K for the cheapest electronic gearing.

My thoughts - Personally, I really like electronic shifting. Yes, it's expensive but it offers such a smooth gear change experience that it's hard to compare it to manual.

Have you tried electronic shifting? What did you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts.