Is electronic shifting useful for an amateur cyclist? Do you really need it?

¿Es útil el cambio electrónico para un ciclista aficionado? ¿Lo necesitas realmente?

Electronic shifting groups have made a leap in quality and variety in the last five years. In all cycling disciplines, not just for road cycling. They are also more affordable. Thus, more and more amateur cyclists are considering adopting this technology, which has numerous advantages. You may also have thought about upgrading your road bike with an
electronic shifter
or your mountain bike
. But it may not be suitable for you or you may not get the most out of it. It depends on your level, how often you ride or train, the discipline you practice, etc.

What do we mean by electronic shifting?

Electronic shifting, unlike mechanical or traditional shifting, works by actuating the derailleurs through an electronic mechanism installed next to the chainrings and cogs (in the case of single-chainring groups, only on the rear transmission). It works as follows:

  1. The shifters of the electronic transmission use buttons instead of levers.
  2. These buttons are connected to the derailleurs by a cable.
  3. In each derailleur, a small motor moves the cogs and/or chainrings, depending on the gear selected.
  4. To move these motors, a battery is needed. Depending on the brand or group, it is housed in the derailleur itself (SRAM AXS), or in the frame; generally hidden inside the seat tube.

This concept has been the standard for a decade in competitive cycling and, to a lesser extent, in amateur cycling. But the latest versions of electronic shifting from the main manufacturers (Shimano and SRAM) do away with the cable between the shifter and the derailleur. They use a wireless communication protocol, which eliminates the mechanical and aesthetic complexity of the cable and its housing.

The electronic transmission: advantages and disadvantages

Electronic shifting has several advantages over mechanical shifting, among which the following stand out:

  1. Faster and more precise shifting. Choosing an electronic circuit to move the chain and shift it from one cog to another, or from one chainring to another, brings multiple advantages: faster shifting, less effort when pressing, more precision and less rubbing with the chain. All this benefits the cyclist's performance, allowing for faster, more sustained and more effective changes in pace.

  2. Fewer adjustments needed. Over time, with use, or due to weather conditions, a mechanical shifter tends to go out of adjustment more often, requiring more repairs and maintenance. The cables and housings lose tension and stiffness, causing unwanted chain jumps, cog slips, or the dreaded chain suck (when the chain slips off the chainring teeth and gets stuck between it and the frame). Electronic shifters have a specific configuration, isolated from the outside, which always offers the same performance and readjusts automatically to prevent chain or cassette skipping.

  3. Shifter customization. The shifters and derailleurs already have connectivity with computers and mobile devices, allowing you to personalize their operation to your taste and style. There is even automatic chainring shifting, which is performed autonomously depending on the cassette cog you are using. The system tries to find the best performance, ensuring the chain crosses as little as possible. This way, you can do without one of the shifters, eliminating cables from the frame and improving aesthetics.

But not everything is an advantage. Introducing electronics into the bike's transmission has its drawbacks. We highlight three:

  1. An electronic shifter is more expensive. Installing an electronic shifter means a substantial price increase compared to a mechanical one. On average, for a complete group, it costs about 1,000 euros more. However, there are manufacturers that offer conversion kits: batteries, cables, and charger. For a lower price, you can access an electronic shifter without needing to change the components. This is the case with SRAM AXS.

  2. More expensive repairs. Although it needs less adjustment than a mechanical one, an electronic transmission group is not exempt from breakdowns. The system can lose synchronization and shift to the wrong gears. Calibration to fix it is a complex operation that will need to be done in a professional workshop. Likewise, spare parts and pieces have a higher price.

  3. Need to charge the batteries. Previously, the presence of batteries, control unit, and wiring ended up adding more weight than a mechanical group. But with the new versions of more compact batteries, and the elimination of cables, the difference in this regard has been reduced or evened out in many cases.

What hasn't changed is the need to recharge the system's battery or batteries. Although the range can reach up to 2,000 km (several months of bike rides), having an electronic group means you have to keep an eye on its status and check the battery level. Otherwise, the shifter will stop working and you'll have to finish the route in a single gear.

Recommended electronic shifter options for touring cyclists

There are already numerous low-priced electronic shifter groups available. Although they are still expensive, the difference compared to traditional ones is narrowing. These are the low-cost options we can find on the market, listed from highest to lowest price:


Road

Shimano Ultegra Di2 Combines the efficiency of its components with the advantages of the electronic system from Shimano's high-end road group (Dura-Ace Di2). Its latest version (R8100) unveils a wireless version. Although it is not fully wireless. The integrated cylindrical battery still powers the derailleur motors. According to Shimano, the reason is to ensure a constant and reliable power supply at all times. In any case, the cables between the battery and shifters are eliminated. The battery range is 1,000 km and it introduces the 12-sprocket cassette.

The price of the complete groupset is around €2,800, including disc brakes SRAM Force eTAP AXS. It is the second most important electronic groupset from SRAM for road, gravel or cyclocross, just below the top of the range: Red eTAP AXS. SRAM Force eTAP AXS integrates all of SRAM's wireless technology, with its compact shifter and small batteries integrated into the derailleurs. It offers double and single chainring options, with a 12-speed cassette. The price for a complete groupset, with double chainring and disc brakes included, is €2,548.
SRAM Force eTAP AXS.

SRAM Rival eTAP AXS It is the latest to arrive on the market and does so as the most affordable electronic shifting currently available. It incorporates all the AXS technology in a complete groupset, although with heavier components than the Force or Red. Its prices start at €761 for the most basic single chainring version. It has its own set of hydraulic disc brakes and an optional low-cost power meter for €274.

Mountain Bike

In MTB, electronic groupsets have been exclusive to high-end and competition models. However, the prices of this technology are becoming more affordable for amateur bikers. SRAM GX Eagle AXS When talking about wireless electronic groupsets in MTB, SRAM AXS is the undisputed king. In addition to the top-of-the-range options, it also offers more affordable choices. All of them are single chainring and 12-speed cassette. Within this mid-range, the GX Eagle AXS group is the most proven. You can buy it complete from €1,101. You can also buy a conversion kit with batteries, rear derailleur, shifter, and charger, at a price of €654.

It is interesting to note that this kit is compatible with all SRAM Eagle transmissions on the market. Therefore, you could convert a low/mid-range 12-speed derailleur (such as the SX or NX Eagle) into an electronic shifter.

Shimano Deore XT Di2 A few seasons ago, the SRAM Eagle AXS wireless groupsets for MTB overshadowed Shimano's more accessible electronic option: the Deore XT Di2 . But you still have this group available. The system comes with cable, batteries, and control unit, including the option of a single or double chainring, both with an 11-speed cassette. It also offers its own shifter, derailleur, and display or control screen for the handlebars.

Groups for gravel

The gravel
is no stranger to the development and spread of electronic shifting for amateur cyclists. In fact, gravel itself is an eminently touring modality. As affordable electronic shifting options for these bikes, we find the new SRAM XPLR AXS, with its own Force and Rival derailleurs and cassettes. All of them are compatible with single chainring setups.

Shimano also has its electronic shifting option with the GRX Di2, which takes advantage of the reliable Di2 technology with cables and durable components with single or double chainring setups of 11 speeds.

Is an electronic shifter worth it for amateur cyclists?

Absolutely, yes, if you are a frequent cyclist or even compete occasionally. We have already seen that electronic shifting has greatly developed its technology. In addition, it offers more and more advantages and there are plenty of reliable low-cost options on the market. Therefore, it is a very attractive choice for cyclists who want to improve the assembly and performance of their bike. If you don't want to cut corners on spending and want your shifting to work precisely at all times, we recommend installing electronic shifting. Possibly, for road cycling it makes even more sense. But the low-cost options for MTB are also very attractive, in a modality where shifting misalignments are frequent.