Retro fit electronic shifter
Discussion
I just saw this on twitter...looks interesting.
It would be a bit of a punt buying it without seeing it in person.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1598276649/xs...
It would be a bit of a punt buying it without seeing it in person.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1598276649/xs...
No chance - the benefit of electronic shifters isn't that you don't have to press the levers, it's that it gets rid of the cables that you have to maintain and therefore just works with very very little maintenance, if any. Replacing half the wire with electronics is just pointless IMO, you'll still get cable stretch.
Nope.. it gives you electronic wireless shifting using standard mechs. It's a 'remote'/add on motor; so you have a (very) short cable run from your existing mech to the motor unit which drives the mech, and wireless from there to the handlebar switch unit.
In theory it should eliminate much of the 'cable stretch' by having no more than a few inches of cabling, ditto draggy and bad cable runs and would allow auto-trimming and other features of electronic actuation. It also means no threading of cables etc.
Personally not something I'd be interested in, but I dare say at that sort of price it'll get some traction, and could support a broader range of applications than the more dedicated manufacturer systems.. of course there's no guarantee they can make it work reliably and well, but who knows.
In theory it should eliminate much of the 'cable stretch' by having no more than a few inches of cabling, ditto draggy and bad cable runs and would allow auto-trimming and other features of electronic actuation. It also means no threading of cables etc.
Personally not something I'd be interested in, but I dare say at that sort of price it'll get some traction, and could support a broader range of applications than the more dedicated manufacturer systems.. of course there's no guarantee they can make it work reliably and well, but who knows.
Interesting, but expensive for what it is.
I've got a Whyte Charing Cross that has cable operated disk brakes. I'd like to upgarde them to hydraulic but the road-bike hydraulic groupsets are pricey.
I CAN get the likes of the TRP Hydraulic levers and calipers, for £99 a wheel, but by the time you've added on this gadget, it's getting on close to the price of a full groupset.
For me, the benefit would be enabling me to upgrade the gear and braking systems independently, but at this price, I'm not sure it's worth it
I've got a Whyte Charing Cross that has cable operated disk brakes. I'd like to upgarde them to hydraulic but the road-bike hydraulic groupsets are pricey.
I CAN get the likes of the TRP Hydraulic levers and calipers, for £99 a wheel, but by the time you've added on this gadget, it's getting on close to the price of a full groupset.
For me, the benefit would be enabling me to upgrade the gear and braking systems independently, but at this price, I'm not sure it's worth it
Really, it's not.
Note that it is wireless. Right now you can have red etap for a bit over a grand. I don't think the FSA wireless one is released yet. Wired electronic (shimano ultegra) will set you back 700 quid ish for a gearset. Electric (and particularly wireless) shifting is a significant premium on regular stuff.
This is sub 300 *dollars*.. (and it's there to add electronic shifting, not to work around having to change your cabled stuff).
That's not to say I think it's a good solution (I don't), but I'd be more concerned that they can make something viable and robust at that price.
And yes, you can upgrade just the brakes in theory - you just have to find hydraulic levers that match the pull ratio/number of gears that your existing mechanical bits are (which might be a problem if you're on 10 speed), or use something like a hope v-twin converter that sits under the stem..
Note that it is wireless. Right now you can have red etap for a bit over a grand. I don't think the FSA wireless one is released yet. Wired electronic (shimano ultegra) will set you back 700 quid ish for a gearset. Electric (and particularly wireless) shifting is a significant premium on regular stuff.
This is sub 300 *dollars*.. (and it's there to add electronic shifting, not to work around having to change your cabled stuff).
That's not to say I think it's a good solution (I don't), but I'd be more concerned that they can make something viable and robust at that price.
And yes, you can upgrade just the brakes in theory - you just have to find hydraulic levers that match the pull ratio/number of gears that your existing mechanical bits are (which might be a problem if you're on 10 speed), or use something like a hope v-twin converter that sits under the stem..
upsidedownmark said:
Really, it's not.
Note that it is wireless. Right now you can have red etap for a bit over a grand. I don't think the FSA wireless one is released yet. Wired electronic (shimano ultegra) will set you back 700 quid ish for a gearset. Electric (and particularly wireless) shifting is a significant premium on regular stuff.
This is sub 300 *dollars*.. (and it's there to add electronic shifting, not to work around having to change your cabled stuff).
That's not to say I think it's a good solution (I don't), but I'd be more concerned that they can make something viable and robust at that price.
And yes, you can upgrade just the brakes in theory - you just have to find hydraulic levers that match the pull ratio/number of gears that your existing mechanical bits are (which might be a problem if you're on 10 speed), or use something like a hope v-twin converter that sits under the stem..
It's only sub $300 via kickstarter early bird options. When (if?) it goes into production, it'll be over $500.Note that it is wireless. Right now you can have red etap for a bit over a grand. I don't think the FSA wireless one is released yet. Wired electronic (shimano ultegra) will set you back 700 quid ish for a gearset. Electric (and particularly wireless) shifting is a significant premium on regular stuff.
This is sub 300 *dollars*.. (and it's there to add electronic shifting, not to work around having to change your cabled stuff).
That's not to say I think it's a good solution (I don't), but I'd be more concerned that they can make something viable and robust at that price.
And yes, you can upgrade just the brakes in theory - you just have to find hydraulic levers that match the pull ratio/number of gears that your existing mechanical bits are (which might be a problem if you're on 10 speed), or use something like a hope v-twin converter that sits under the stem..
When the Shimano levers and calipers comes in at just over £400 ( http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-rs685-hydraulic-st... )
and the TRP units are £200 a set, then if the shifter came in at around £200 then it would be an viable alternative to combined shifter/brake sets.
As it is, $500+ for an electronic shifter? Can't see it shifting at retailers
- For a same-currency comparison, a complete (wired) electric ultegra groupset is 1200USD. They shift just fine (pun intended)
- I doubt it will make mainstream production, it's a bit of a hack really.
- Having a 4 button pad to punch that isn't where your fingers are is a bit sh*t really (see above). There's a reason 'brifters' were a step forwards.
- If you're looking for a cheap way to solve something, electric/wireless shifting isn't really the answer.
- I doubt it will make mainstream production, it's a bit of a hack really.
- Having a 4 button pad to punch that isn't where your fingers are is a bit sh*t really (see above). There's a reason 'brifters' were a step forwards.
- If you're looking for a cheap way to solve something, electric/wireless shifting isn't really the answer.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff