The world of cycling is always evolving, and brands have to reinvent themselves day by day by incorporating technological innovations. Some of them catch on and others do not. In road cycling, electronic shifting is becoming increasingly common. Both Shimano, Campagnolo, and SRAM, the main manufacturers of groupsets, offer electronic ranges. This is not the case in mountain biking, where until recently Shimano was the only major manufacturer offering electronic shifting in its top-of-the-line mountain bike groupsets. With the introduction of SRAM's new Eagle AXS ranges, the options are expanding.
In this article, we will try to clarify doubts about electronic shifting and whether it is here to stay. Is it worth switching from a mechanical group to an electronic one? Before making a decision, the first thing we should do is list the pros and cons of each type of shifting, and then each cyclist will have to weigh which factors are most important to them.
Pros and cons of mechanical shifting
Arguments in favor
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Economic: Without a doubt, this is the strong point of this type of shifting; it is cheaper; both when buying new and for any replacement parts that might be needed during its lifetime.
- Weight: Although the weights are becoming more similar every day, mechanical shifters are still lighter than electronic ones since, among other factors, the latter have to include the extra weight of the battery.
Arguments against
- Misalignments: They are more susceptible to misalignment than electronic ones. These shifters work with cable tension, so with use and the deterioration of components, they tend to lose that tension.
Pros and cons of electronic shifting
We must distinguish between two types of electronic shifting: those that work with cables and wireless ones. The former use a cable that transmits electrical impulses (for example, Shimano's Ultegra Di2 for road or XTR Di2 for mountain). In the latter, the connection between the shifters and the derailleur is through an encrypted wireless connectivity system. This is the case with the Sram Red eTap AXS group, which uses a proprietary protocol. Sram has brought this wireless technology to mountain biking.
Arguments in favor
- Reliability: Electronic shifting, in any of its forms, is much more reliable and stable than mechanical. After many kilometers of use, we can say that it is very unlikely for electronic shifting to go out of adjustment, so the chain will always go to the correct position, engaging much more precisely than with mechanical, and thus there is less wear on components, such as cassettes or chainrings.
In addition, it should be noted that shifting is much faster and smoother, which makes pedaling easier when changing gears.
- Maintenance: While it is true that gears usually do not require very rigorous maintenance, with electronic shifting we can forget about worrying about changing housings or cables.
Arguments against
- Battery: Synonymous with dependence. Our bike is going to become just another gadget in our lives that we have to worry about, whether it's charged or if the remaining battery will be enough to finish the next ride.
But it's important to clarify that it's not as stressful a feeling as it can be with a mobile phone, since in wired electronic systems, the battery can last between 1,000 and 2,000 km, depending on the model and how we use it.
- Price: Like any technological evolution or innovation, it is always going to be more expensive at first. For this reason, brands are installing it on the highest-end models, although it is already starting to appear on some mid-range models.
Is it worth having electronic shifting on an MTB?
All the advantages we have listed above for electronic shifting are undoubtedly magnified when we talk about mountain bikes, since we should take into account variables like mud, rocks, vibrations, impacts, etc.
Electronic shifting vs mud
Who hasn't had their gears get stuck and stop working in either direction during muddy rides? With mechanical shifting on mountain bikes, it's very important to keep the housings and cables in perfect condition so that the shifting is smooth and there is not too much friction, a problem that disappears with a system that works with electrical impulses and even more so with a Wireless system.
Misalignments due to rough terrain
In mountain biking, gears suffer much more than on the road due to the vibrations caused by rough terrain. This causes misalignments in the gears, at the very least, due to loss of cable tension from the shifter to the derailleur. This problem is solved with electronic shifting.
Misalignments due to impacts
Because of the position of the derailleur on the bike and its proximity to the ground, it is normal for it to suffer scrapes, impacts from rocks or branches, etc. To solve these possible (and always inconvenient) mishaps, there are electronic derailleurs, such as the SRAM Eagle AXS, which has an anti-impact system (Overload Clutch), which deactivates its internal gears in the event of an impact, so the derailleur is freed and thus breakage or misalignment is avoided. A few moments later, it re-engages itself and returns to its original position.
In summary, electronic shifting provides us with reliability, comfort, speed, and smoothness. On the other side of the scale, we have the price and, since the battery doesn't charge itself, it seems they are not made for forgetful people. After these considerations, in our opinion, electronic shifting in mountain biking represents a new advancement in this exciting world and comes to enhance our experience on the bike.
👉 Practical buying guide: Which MTB should I choose?
In high-end bicycles and in professional cycling, it is already well established and little by little it is also entering the mid-range. So, while we wait for prices to adjust, without a doubt it will be an element that will accompany us on our rides in the coming years.