very comfortable hoods, with 3 shifter positions. Once set up and adjusted, no cables to stretch out-stays in place (3,000 mi). Computer is better than STI for info.

Does not work in cold (they say 32F, I say 45F). Battery (esp. der. batt) needs frquent replacing. Replace all batteries every spring. Will not fit into trainer. Friction front shifter.

bought mektronic to keep my look kg261 all french. works 99% of the time--not good enough for touring or racing. When it works, it's great-smooth shifts (quicker shifts need higher cadence)and can shift under some torque. not a paralellogram setup(like campy or shimano)--in line like old simplex. Would not spend over $350-always available on eBay(seems lots of owners can't read directions-there are a lot of directions with mektronic). There is a learning curve and after 2 years, I would keep and if need be replace my mektronic. They need an updated (paralell shift) model.

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Ultegra Campy Athena Simplex

Intuitive, effortless shifting.

First, battery life indicator doesn''t work. When the batteries start becoming weak, missed shifts will occur although the battery indicator will not indicate a weak battery. (Note: you will not get stranded because of a weak battery--missed shifts yes, but the batteries are still good for at least a hundred miles.) The batteries last all season (3000 miles). Second, the setup needs to be dead on for clean shifting. While it is relatively easy to do, the system doesn''t allow much for a slightly bent derailleur hanger. Third, the wheel speed indicator must be aligned within 2 mm of the magnet to work. Fourth, when it is cold (less than 40 degrees F) the system doesn''t operate well (although the manual says it should still work fine) No big deal--I don''t ride much when it''s that cold. Fifth, can''t use a real axle-mounted wind trainer because the derailleur stick in front of the axle.

Wonderful idea but its not quite ready for prime time. There are several quirks that make this less than ideal. If Campy were to license the technology, iron out the quirks and incorporate it into Record--OOOOOWEEE--it would be stunning.

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Campy.

sleek looking, huge envy factor, mold breaking name because your no longer forced to decide between over priced (because of tariffs and duties) campy and japanease manufactured lower quality shimano

heard rummors that in heavy rain, shifter will jam in smallest cog, protruded design for data reception looks like a prime target in a r. side fall to get crushed because it is made from a composite rather than aluminum or otherwise, (I'm not 100% sure but pully guides might not be 11t compadible)

+6 for innovation
-4for possible data interuption from other wireless devices
+7 for looks
-5 for legality issues
-5 for possible rain interferance
+8 envy facter
+3 shifting action is percise
-3 dont have the physical sensation of a good shift
+4 new place to put hands on shifters
-4 shifters are currently illegal (mavic is currently making a shifter body that doesn't provide the extra hand hold which makes them illegal for UCI)


equals 7/10 for overall rating

value is not as good because their so new that their still very expensive (not that d/a or record is cheap) and with the USCF still out for the vote on them, they make them a very poor choice for a racer

however, for the non racer who at first wanted to spend 1600 on the 25th anniversery d/a gruppo or a new record / chorus set, the shifters, computer, and r.derailler w/ a dura ace or record f. derailler is still in the 800 - 900 range leaving plenty of splurg money for other goodies, or just a whole lotto (hehe watch letours to get the joke)water bottles and an aero bar or four

4/5 battleship gallactica's for overall (subtract 1 if you race)

3/5 ninja throwing stars for value (again, if you race, subtract 1)

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99-00 105 big S 9spd

multiple shifting sites. on my road bike i have the triathlon stepup. i have the sti postion, the spinachi position and my aerobar toggle i put on the top of my handle bar just off the stem between 4 an5 o'clock(3 o'clock being the direction you are traveling). i shift with my right hand index and second finger (great for climbing).this last positon is way better then having the road version with the shifter on the computer. it was too hard on the thumb. using this system on a tri bike was awesome too. aerobar and sti shifting at the same time.. what more could you ask for.
front shifter was suprisingly great when you expect it to be down shadowed my the radio shifting.
i smacked the derailleur a bunch of times and nothing happenned. i even had a door close on it. no problem

battery life was some what shorter then your initially told. but since all three components use the same size you'll never get stranded. the battery diagnositic didn't work on my setup. with the baterries out of the components the computer said the batteries were good.???!!!
very easy to hit the sti shifter when on the hoods if you hit a bump. hard to get hit the sti shifter when in the drops sprinting. they need to have a piece that extends 90 degrees towards the centreline of the bike. then you could flick it with your thumb.
you can't fix it. you just send it back to mavic. the good thing is they give great customer service
big thing! i couldn't use it on my cycleops trainer because of the derailleur protruding so far out. i had to always use my rollers
it would have been easy to incorperate a wire to the front shifter that would tell you if it where in the big or little ring then you could have "shimano's virtual cadence"

great for the person who wants it all. expensive however so not for everyone. triathlete have to get it.(now i know why chris boardman has it in his contract that no matter what component company sponsors his team he's always allowed to time trial with mecktronic (use to have the same deal with zap))
i've known a pro triathlete who uses it and i've seen some pro cycling teams using it in road stages.
i have never had interferance with any out side signals.
shifting speed is dependant on your cadence. you soon learn to anticipate the upcoming shift when in the hills. this was a good tool that helped me keep my cadance up.

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mectronic road and triathlon brake lever kits

No Cables
Easy setup
Looks Nice

Unreliable!
Shifting sometimes didnt work, maybe due to wet/cold.
Sometimes it shifted into the bottom sprocket and stayed there until I reset the computer.
Apparently there was a problem with the origional model, I think the battery was running it's self down quicker than thought.

Brake Levers felt cheap, the rubber makes you hands black, and dont work as well as Dura-Ace.

Cant use on my turbo.
Computer speed reacts slowly.

Probably OK for Time Trials.
Dont Bother for Road Racing, stick with Shimano/Campag.

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None