Mechanical vs. Electronic shifting: Is it time to make the switch?

[Shepard Grinker]

Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons of shifting types.

Mechanical vs. Electronic Shifting | Shimano vs. SRAM | TBW — Tenafly Bicycle Workshop

Learn the differences between mechanical and electronic bike shifting. Compare Shimano and SRAM drivetrains and find the best setup at Tenafly Bicycle Workshop.

www.bicycleworkshop.com

 

[UtahJoe]

I have several pre transmission style AXS derailleurs....one that dates back to 2019, has thousands of miles on it....in my experience they have been very durable and I love how easy to install/set up they are. Plus they shift great.

 

[Cassinonorth]

I have both.

I have a bike with 6 batteries (oof) and a bike with 0. It's nice to grab a bike and know it's ready to go but I also have never had a battery die on a ride with how much warning your computer gives you. I also carry a spare charged AXS battery in my riding bag in case that day comes. I will say Transmission shifts incredibly well and not having to adjust it ever is a treat.

 

[tonyride]

I've had both kinds (mech and wireless) at the same time for a few years now and I've had both AXS and Transmission so I ride them back to back with near real-time comparisons. Although electronic shifting has its pros, if I got a new bike with good mechanical shifting I wouldn't be running out to swap it out for electronic.

 

[thomas]

I need to add a cr2032 battery to my go bag.

 

[Jeremy]

I need to add a cr2032 battery to my go bag.

Here's a 2 battery holder to 3d print. 1 is probably,y enough, but 2 is better.

https://www.printables.com/model/348131-cr-2032-or-2016-battery-holder

 

[Carson]

Come on @Jeremy

SRAM AXS Shifter CR2032 Battery Holder and Tool

🇺🇸 Limited Fourth of July edition available now! Only 250 American flag CR2032 holders were made to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. Shop the limited edition here GEN 2 Release: Now with a built in tab to open your SRAM shifter and Polar H10 battery doors...

backroadslab.com

https://makerworld.com/en/models/2647981-sram-axs-emergency-battery-case-cap-tool?appSharePlatform=copy#profileId-2927043

https://www.etsy.com/listing/4509109071/sram-axs-cr2032-battery-holder-shifter?ref=elp_anchor_listing&frs=1&bes=1&sts=1

 

[Jeremy]

Come on @Jeremy

SRAM AXS Shifter CR2032 Battery Holder and Tool

🇺🇸 Limited Fourth of July edition available now! Only 250 American flag CR2032 holders were made to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. Shop the limited edition here GEN 2 Release: Now with a built in tab to open your SRAM shifter and Polar H10 battery doors...

backroadslab.com

https://makerworld.com/en/models/2647981-sram-axs-emergency-battery-case-cap-tool?appSharePlatform=copy#profileId-2927043

https://www.etsy.com/listing/4509109071/sram-axs-cr2032-battery-holder-shifter?ref=elp_anchor_listing&frs=1&bes=1&sts=1

I’ll have my 12 year old print me one for free.

 

[UtahJoe]

I need to add a cr2032 battery to my go bag.

Here's a 2 battery holder to 3d print. 1 is probably,y enough, but 2 is better.

https://www.printables.com/model/348131-cr-2032-or-2016-battery-holder

They come in those child proof plastic packages, I just leave them in that and throw them in my bag.

 

[SmooveP]

They come in those child proof plastic packages, I just leave them in that and throw them in my bag.

Then how do you open the package when you need a battery? 🤡

 

[shrpshtr325]

the ones i buy come in a cardboard 'card' lol just cut one out and keep it on you if your worried, i have enough items on me at a given time while riding that all use the same battery that ill rob one from something non-critical if my shifter goes dead mid ride

 

[Bike N Gear]

They come in those child proof plastic packages, I just leave them in that and throw them in my bag.

Me too. Two weeks ago I needed one mid ride and realized I had no way to open the stupid plastic shell it was locked into. Ended up using my house key combined with a tooth on my chainring to cut it open.

 

[mfennell]

I need to add a cr2032 battery to my go bag.

My friend did after finding that a full suspension SS was not really that much fun.

 

[scott62]

I had an old axs system, the clutch and b tension spring seemed to weak, lots of chain slap. Sounded like a shopping cart going down the trail. My biggest issue with sram transmission system with the flat top chain is the cost of replacement parts, everything costs more than cable systems. Drive trains ware out, the cost of replacement parts matters.

 

[Bike N Gear]

I had an old axs system, the clutch and b tension spring seemed to weak, lots of chain slap. Sounded like a shopping cart going down the trail. My biggest issue with sram transmission system with the flat top chain is the cost of replacement parts, everything costs more than cable systems. Drive trains ware out, the cost of replacement parts matters.

Does anyone who ponies up the money to by an electronic shifting system think the replacement parts are going to be cheaper? Everything we use wears out eventually, so do you just buy the cheapest equipment and bikes to save money?

 

[shrpshtr325]

Does anyone who ponies up the money to by an electronic shifting system think the replacement parts are going to be cheaper? Everything we use wears out eventually, so do you just buy the cheapest equipment and bikes to save money?

Just ignore him.he just needs to complain about everything. It's definitely a him problem

 

[tonyride]

I need to add a cr2032 battery to my go bag.

Same. In my hydration pack I have a spare CR2032 and a fully charged spare AXS battery. I try to check the battery levels using the SRAM AXS app on my phone before each ride which later I realize is kind of silly because when you're in the parking lot at the trailhead, checked your power levels and if it says low or dead, there's not much you can do at this point if you don't have spares. I guess the thing to do is check the power levels after each ride so you'll know ahead of time if you'll need to charge or replace a battery for the next ride if you don't want to carry spares.

 

[shrpshtr325]

Same. In my hydration pack I have a spare CR2032 and a fully charged spare AXS battery. I try to check the battery levels using the SRAM AXS app on my phone before each ride which later I realize is kind of silly because when you're in the parking lot at the trailhead, checked your power levels and if it says low or dead, there's not much you can do at this point if you don't have spares. I guess the thing to do is check the power levels after each ride so you'll know ahead of time if you'll need to charge or replace a battery for the next ride if you don't want to carry spares.

if you pair it with your garmin you get a real time notification when it gets low, when the low warning hits i still have 5-6 hours of ride time left on the battery

 

[mfennell]

FWIW, if you see a green light on the derailleur when you shift, you have at least 26% battery left. Low warning hits at 25%.

 

[tonyride]

if you pair it with your garmin you get a real time notification when it gets low, when the low warning hits i still have 5-6 hours of ride time left on the battery

Wow, I didn't know that. I'll have to tinker with it this weekend.