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The one big improvement I see is that with electronic, you can be standing and cranking hard and upshift to the big chainring. I haven't ridden newer mechanical groups enough to try it on them, maybe they can do that now.
Actually, I can do that with a 30 year old Suntour Superbe Tech, and with a Suntour Mountech (both are the same design) derailleur, so that is not something unique to electrical systems.
 

· Banned Sock Puppet
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I pieced together a Super Record 12 speed mechanical group for less than $2K. The idea of paying more than that for Ultegra seems absurd. I only have one bike with Shimano components and even it is Shimergo (Campy shifters, Shimano drivetrain) because of the cable issues. I can guarantee that I will never buy electronic groupsets because I despise battery charging of any kind. I have enough trouble getting out the door worrying about tire pressure, water bottles, cycling gear and taping my nips!
Taping your nips? Do tell!
 

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Discussion Starter · #63 ·

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As I said... "If it made financial sense to cater to the small minority of luddites.. they would. But it doesn't. So they won't."
Both SRAM and Shimano note that people just aren't buying mechanical.

Electronic dominance
No one can deny that mechanical shifting has a sizeable advantage over electronic shifting in terms of serviceability and often weight (particularly at anything other than flagship price points). However, in conversations with countless product managers from various bicycle brands in recent months about consumer preferences, the answer is always the same: when given the option, so few people are actually buying the cable-actuated stuff that it’s impossible to justify keeping it around from a financial point of view.

One only has to look at SRAM’s recent product development to see evidence of this trend in real time.
It’s been a very different story for SRAM’s mechanical road groupsets. Despite plenty of love and loyalty from hardcore enthusiasts, it’s basically a case of the highly vocal minority.
The current generation of SRAM’s Red 22 mechanical groupset hasn’t been updated since its last revamp in 2013.

From an engineering standpoint, it wouldn’t take much for SRAM to update its mechanical road groupsets to the 12-speed format....
In all likelihood, SRAM has the resources to do this, and you’d better believe that if the demand (and profit margins) was there, the company would make it happen. However, SRAM has clearly decided the juice isn’t worth the squeeze, and its OEM partners apparently feel the same way (though that hasn’t kept third-party tinkerer Ratio Technology from doing it on a retrofit basis).


As promised, Di2’s shift performance is uncannily faster and more precise, it’s more consistent over time than mechanical setups, and many riders just prefer the lighter feel of short-stroke buttons instead of bigger levers with more throw.
I anticipate that — unlike with Ultegra — Shimano will continue to offer 105 in a mechanical version, which will assuredly also make the jump to 12-speed. If only to keep OEM product managers happy, I would guess that the new 105 mechanical would hold pretty firm on the end cost, or maybe just increase slightly. Nevertheless, it seems likely that — at least as far as Shimano is concerned — 105 will now be the brand’s top mechanical offering.
 

· Matnlely Dregaend
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Taping your nips? Do tell!
Not much to tell... Who doesn't like to have some fun while cycling? :rolleyes:

 

· Matnlely Dregaend
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As I said... "If it made financial sense to cater to the small minority of luddites.. they would. But it doesn't. So they won't."
Both SRAM and Shimano note that people just aren't buying mechanical.

Electronic dominance
No one can deny that mechanical shifting has a sizeable advantage over electronic shifting in terms of serviceability and often weight (particularly at anything other than flagship price points). However, in conversations with countless product managers from various bicycle brands in recent months about consumer preferences, the answer is always the same: when given the option, so few people are actually buying the cable-actuated stuff that it’s impossible to justify keeping it around from a financial point of view.
I'm sorry, but this is just a blatant lie. You can't even find any 10, 11, or 12 speed high end (Super Record or Record) mechanical Campy groupsets because they are completely sold out. There is a tremendous demand for mechanical groupsets, they're just not available.
 

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I'm sorry, but this is just a blatant lie. You can't even find any 10, 11, or 12 speed mechanical Campy groupsets because they are completely sold out. There is a tremendous demand for mechanical groupsets, they're just not available.
Your lie is a lie. :rolleyes:
Everything is sold out. There's a global shortage on all sorts of thing.

However, in conversations with countless product managers from various bicycle brands in recent months about consumer preferences, the answer is always the same: when given the option, so few people are actually buying the cable-actuated stuff that it’s impossible to justify keeping it around from a financial point of view.

But surely your anecdotal evidence is more reliable than the product managers of the actual products.
 

· Matnlely Dregaend
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Your lie is a lie. :rolleyes:
Everything is sold out. There's a global shortage on all sorts of thing.

However, in conversations with countless product managers from various bicycle brands in recent months about consumer preferences, the answer is always the same: when given the option, so few people are actually buying the cable-actuated stuff that it’s impossible to justify keeping it around from a financial point of view.

But surely your anecdotal evidence is more reliable than the product managers of the actual products.
Your corporate overlords are scrambling your brain. You CAN buy electronic (EPS) components, only the mechanical ones are sold out. For example 11 speed SR EPS shifters are available, mechanical shifters are not.

I will be selling my Record 10 speed mechanical stuff soon, lets see how long it takes to sell...
 

· Banned Sock Puppet
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Not much to tell... Who doesn't like to have some fun while cycling? :rolleyes:

I can't say I've ever had this problem, but then I don't wear bibs, just a jersey and shirts.

However, I have had a different kind of chafing with the wrong shorts and I'm not talking about saddle sores!
 

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Your corporate overlords are scrambling your brain. You CAN buy electronic (EPS) components, only the mechanical ones are sold out. For example 11 speed SR EPS shifters are available, mechanical shifters are not.
Who's lying? These are all available right now.









 

· Matnlely Dregaend
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I said SR and Record.... And try piecing together a groupset and see how it goes...

To be fair Campy is for luddites and not Shimano lemmings.
 

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I said SR and Record...
Sorry, there was so much Campy stuff available I couldn't select it all. But alas... SR and Record are there too.

 

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Sorry, there was so much Campy stuff available I couldn't select it all. But alas... SR and Record are there too.

So, electronic shifting is better because it eliminates cables?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

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Discussion Starter · #74 ·
So, electronic shifting is better because it eliminates cables?
No, it’s better because it costs a lot more and racers use it. 😛
 

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Discussion Starter · #76 ·
Wait now, I’m susceptible to that argument. Except, well... It’s heavier and less aero? Pure pain!
Yeah, sometimes I forget that my sarcasm sounds pretty much like how they market it. 😟
 

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Yeah, sometimes I forget that my sarcasm sounds pretty much like how they market it.
Haha, I read it right...

I’m a little discouraged at my group choice, I couldn’t find any of the cable eating commentary when I made the choice. Reviews were glowing. Performance matched the reviews when it was assembled. I wanted Campy to match my Italian tubes but the selection and cost were just prohibitive for no functional gain. I may have been wrong... Albeit, I hate thumb buttons But I’d do it for the sake of continuity. I may still do it eventually.

I’m far from anti e-shifting. It’s just a solution to a non existent problem. My SRAM cables last forever. I wouldn’t make the jump just to ditch cables. That lean claim as an advantage.


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· Matnlely Dregaend
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Since you mention Wiggle:

SR EPS 11 speed levers - in stock
SR 11 speed levers - out of stock

SR EPS 11 speed FD - in stock
SR 11 speed FD - out of stock

ProbikeKit:


SR EPS 11 speed levers - in stock
SR 11 speed levers - out of stock

SR EPS 11 speed FD - in stock
SR 11 speed FD - out of stock

Texas Cyclesport:

SR EPS 11 speed levers - out of stock
SR 11 speed levers - out of stock

SR EPS 11 speed FD - in stock
SR 11 speed FD - out of stock
 

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Discussion Starter · #79 ·
All of this is starting to make me like Campy more… 🤔
 

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Discussion Starter · #80 ·
…..
 
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