DI2 Depression.

[Owlie]

In some ways, I agree with you.

It's a cool toy, and the engineering is interesting. (That might be because I'm dating an engineer.) The programmable shifting is neat. Would I buy it? No. I can't remember to charge my cell phone. How would I remember to charge my bike? I like the feedback and the feel of mechanical shifters too.

You kids get off my lawn.

[OakLeaf]

The minute they started with indexed shifting, there went the neighborhood.

[Wahine]

The minute they started with indexed shifting, there went the neighborhood.

Hee hee. Well at least index shifting is still a mechanical process without an external power source assist.

[Wahine]

You kids get off my lawn.

LOL! Exactly!!

[Eden]

No. I can't remember to charge my cell phone. How would I remember to charge my bike? I.

yup.... I can't remember to charge my cell phone and my Garmin is always running out of battery life in the middle of a ride..... it would be pretty bad if my shifting ran out of batteries too....

[nuliajuk]

To be fair, it doesn't replace much of the effort. I just don't see the point of it, mainly. It doesn't take that much longer to use a shift lever. I suppose if you're riding the Vuelta or some other major race with extremely fast competitors it makes a difference, but I can't see that it adds much except weight for us average non-racing riders.

I suppose we all have our tipping point when it comes to new technology. Some people think there's no need to put shifters anywhere but on a down-tube, and what do you need clipless pedals for when there are perfectly good toe clips and straps? And some do away with gearing altogether and think a single fixed is all you need. What I find interesting is that the retro purists are most often people who were too young to have ever used their chosen technology when it was new. Riders who are in their 70s embrace brifters and carbon fibre bikes enthusiastically, or at least my husband and his former clubmates do.

[smilingcat]

nahhh its all hype me think.

More expensive thing to buy and more ways to separate you and your money. When index shifting first came out, I turned it off or disabled it. I hate adjusting index shifting. It has to be sooo right or else.

And I guess I wont say anything about an electric assist velomobile.

[Wahine]

And I guess I wont say anything about an electric assist velomobile.

This is going to seem really weird but I'm actually OK with an electronic assist velomobile. I'm assuming you mean motocycle. They aren't trying to be bicycles.

As for bikes that have motor assist on them to help with hills etc, I'm good with those too. I actually love them they get people out riding that wouldn't otherwise, especially where I live (it's super hilly). It's the only way a lot of mom's can commute whith their kids in a trailer or do the gorceries and I'm all for fewer cars on the road. But again, it's not trying to pretend to be a regular bicycle.

As for DI2 being a trend. I hope so. Being electronic with a battery (which is not environmentally friendly to produce or dispose of) I expect it to stop working or become annoying at some time and I really hope that people don't then just throw it away and replace it with a new set up every 2 years or whenever the new shiny thing comes out. What a waste. This bothers me.

But then, I should recognize that we live in a world where that is the norm. Most people get a new phone every 2 years, TVs, whatever. I'm unusual in how long I hold on to things. Heck, this lap top I'm on is at least 6 years old now.

[kajero]

I am not sure exactly what type of bicycle you are talking about.

My SO has a TREK e-assist bike. It only assists when you pedal it. He is 83 years old and could not possible go riding without the help. We participated in a 25 mile tour fundraiser last week. Even with the e-assist, he had to stop quite a few times to rest. But he was riding.

I guess if I were a nay-sayer to this type of bicycle, he would never go riding (even if he does upset me with his riding habits). MY SO also enjoys riding with a group I go with . . . something that would be impossible without the e-assist. I guess you have to evaluate what the battery powered bicycles are used for and if you can accept that.

I am 20 years younger than my SO so I ride on my own. But maybe one day if it is between riding and no riding. . . .

[ridebikeme]

HA! I love this thread, thanks Wahine! AS a mechanic, I've always wondered why on earth people would spend so much on their shifting... as you said many people can't even remember to charge their cellphone(and I belong to that club)and what happens when you are riding far from home. Will there be a shop close by to help if you have issues? And what if that shop doesn't carry D12?

In addition to my shop, I worked for bike touring companies for 16 years, and we were riding in the "sticks", I was the only support. I'm so thankful that I'm not doing that now only because I wouldn't be carrying D12 parts with me. While the bike companies want us all to continue to spend our money with them, in my mind, there certainly are many items that would be more beneficial to all of us and that would have a bigger impact than "electronic gizmos." Ok, let me go plug in my phone...

[Wahine]

My SO has a TREK e-assist bike. It only assists when you pedal it. He is 83 years old and could not possible go riding without the help. We participated in a 25 mile tour fundraiser last week. Even with the e-assist, he had to stop quite a few times to rest. But he was riding.

This is exactly what I meant when I said that I didn't have any problem with e-assist bikes when they help people get out that wouldn't otherwise. But your SO wouldn't be allowed to compete in a race with his e-assist bike against other "normal" bikes. It's OK to do what ever the hell you want to do to your bike but if you put a motor on it, no matter how small (IMHO) it is no longer in the same category as a bicycle without a motor of any kind.

This thread is making me think a lot about why I dislike Di2 so much. Introspection is usually a good thing. Beyond my love for simplicity, here's my thought. I've always cheered for the underdog. I've always believed in a level playing field and felt that anyone could win if they put in the effort. Di2 is allowed to compete in the same field as a regular bike but not everyone can afford it. So in a sense, it's an unfair advantage for those that have the finances to purchase it.

This whole episode was brought on for me when a friend purchased a Di2 bike for cyclocross. First off, I think that's crazy. I know how effed up my bike is at the end of cross season when I have to replace cables, housing, derailleurs and drive train. I can't imagine what the mud and yuck is going to do to a Di2 system and they are not cheap to replace. My friend's arguement is that she has Raynaud's syndrome. The cold and the wet affect her hands badly and result in her not being able to shift as well. That's actually a pretty good reason to get Di2. But does it make it fair in competition?

I feel like Di2 is being pushed upon us by Shimano to sell more stuff. I think they bought off the powers that be to allow it at the pro level because what the pros ride sells. I think the industry is extrememly messed up and Di2 is just part of all that. I'm also p!ssed off that the UCI is only allowing UCI certified frames to compete in cyclocross at an international level. But that's a whole nuther rant.