Advantages Of Electronic Shifting

Electronic Shifting on both road bikes, gravel bikes and mountain bikes is no longer new technology - with many drivetrain manufacturers such as Shimano & SRAM all having had their electronic shifting options on the markets for many years. As with new technology, electronic shifting has been designed to improve performance. In this post, we look at some of the advantages of electronic shifting, and what a cyclist can expect from making the change:

Improved Gear Changes

Electronic Gear Shifts change in different ways compared to mechanical gear changes. With a mechanical system, when the lever moves from one chainring to the other, the front mech also moves at the same time. Using an electronic shifting system, the front mech provides a different performance depending upon the sprocket the bike is in at the time.

An example of the SRAM systems operation is more complex, leading to a crisper gear change. When you change gear from the small chainring to the big chainring, the cage shifts slightly - assisting the chain make the jump. Once the chain is in its new position, the cage then returns into its original position to keep the chain in place. This system helps prevent the chain coming off the chainring, providing better gear changes - even under load.

Faster Gear Changes

Small differences and advantages can total a big difference when out on the bike - and faster gear changes are guaranteed with an electronic gear shifting system. Unlike mechanical shift systems - where you need to press the lever multiple times to move across the cassette, with an electronic shift system you can just hold the lever in - making it quicker and easier to move gears.

Customisable Gear Changes

With many electronic shifting systems, the rider can modify the shifting patterns and shifting speeds for the perfect shifting behaviour. Other changes are also possible, such as swapping the upshift lever and the downshift lever to operate a different way. A lot of the changes can be carried out with a smartphone app.

Zero Chain Rub

In many electronic shifting systems, chain rub is eliminated. There is no need to adjust the position of the front mech, as this is done automatically.

Simplicity

Changing electronic gears is incredibly simple - you can easily switch across the entire range of gears with a simple press of a button. Electric systems are easy to use in cold weather, as well as when wearing gloves.

Additional Shifter Positions

Electronic gear shifting technology also allows for extra gear shifters to be mounted on the bike. Although most systems have gear changers in the same position that a mechanical gear shifter would be in, electronic shifters also allow the placement of extra shifters. Examples of where extra shifters have been included on some setups, include a climbing shifter on top of the handlebar, and a sprinting shifter fitted to the drops. SRAM's etap system also has satellite shifters which can be positioned anywhere on the handlebar.

Time Trial Benefits

An electric system allows for shifters to be placed on both the aero extensions of the bike, as well as the base bar - meaning that the TT rider can change gae when out of the saddle, or exiting a tight corner.

Simplicity Of Maintenance

Although an electric gear shifting system may seem more complex - there's not a lot of maintenance required once the system has been set up correctly. In some cases, there are no cables running through your frame, and the batteries in these systems can last for hundreds of miles.