Rotor's hydraulic-shifting groupset

What do we think of this? Not sure that mechanics will relish the idea of bleeding four hydraulic systems during a road bike service...

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/rotors-hydraulic-uno-groupset-to-radically-improve-on-competition-45065/

I see the article doesn't actually say how hydraulic shifting works. A hydraulic line is very good a pushing but not so great at pulling so it would be interesting to see how downshifting works.

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/141412/?offset=4575

Apparently someone on here has ridden it!

With a spring, probably the opposite way to regular derailleur.

Ah, here we go:

http://www.bikerumor.com/2015/08/13/patent-trolling-rotor-application-shows-single-lever-one-way-mechanical-and-hydraulic-shifting/

The return is based on a spring and ratchet system based on each deraileur,

the ratchet on the rear mech gives the "clicks" that would not have been there previously with a normal hydraulic system,

Also the system doesn't have any large reservoirs like brakes do, so bleeding should be minimal in theory,

It's taken them ages to finally bring it out, but good on them for getting it to Eurobike this year

According to the weight weenies thread they have had to wait till a current patent filed in 1995 expired. I now has. The though of a fully hydraulic groupset with disc brakes is quite appealing for my all year round commuter. Currently it has record 10 speed on it which over winter will get ruined. That belongs on another bike really.

Well considering I had to fully recable a 3 month old planet x ultegra 11 today (all rotten to buggery) at work, the total eradication of cables can't come quickly enough!

Your average punter doesn't know how to look after regular cables so making it more complex isn't really an issue in my book.

If you look after your cables the time spent could be saved up for replacing them. Looking after cable may increase service life, it does not save time which is most important to me. I like fit and forget kit. Anything I have to fiddle with beyond the inital setup annoys me. so either rotor's new effort is a blessing or it will be a curse!

I'd love a mid-range version of this for my commuter. Sadly I think it will probably be mega expensive for at least a few years, as I guess they'll launch into the top of the market.

Thats where the difference between good hydro discs and mechanical shines. With decent (any shimano for example) you fit them, set them up, bleed if required, and then x number of years later you shove some new pads in there, and then do some more years of riding. Whereas any given mechanical disc is a continuous ballache of soft lever feel, rotor rub, uneven pad wear and generally pish performance.

Wouldn't be the one to jump on the first gen of this, but the second gen at an Ultegra level/tier, yes!