Electronic & Hydraulic Shifting (Di2, Ui2, customisations)

What would be interesting would be the ability to combine with the Quarq (on the test bike) to give "torque sensing" automatic gear changes.

i.e. the gear control unit maintains a cadence of 65-100 biased around the riders FTP/other value.

An automatic bike.

Sounds fun.

This has been done on a concept bike. IIRC it was based purely on cadence. So if your cadence droped below say 75 it shifts down intill your cadence increases. Not sure how it coped with spinning out on a desent.

Probably better just to have a rrepetitive alarm initiated when you drop below 70rpm.

HTFU! HTFU! HTFU!
HTFU! HTFU! HTFU!
HTFU! HTFU! HTFU!
HTFU! HTFU! HTFU!
HTFU! HTFU! HTFU!
HTFU! HTFU! HTFU!

SRAM prototype electronic system spotted;

http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/12/bikes-and-tech/spotted-sram-prototype-electronic-drivetrain_310890

We runnin' a book on the recall date?

Didn't RAM say they'd never do this?

They said "640k ought to be enough for anyone".

^^ SRAM do not, apparently, do recall dates. They tell you not to use their new shiny kit, and then fuck off on holiday for Christmas.

Can you tell I'm bitter? Two nice big SRAM boxes, and all they're good for is bastard door stops.

People love shit like Spinergy Death Wheels here. Sell them here. :)

RE: Automatic shifting
Nishiki shipped a small batch of "comfort" bikes with Shimano Nexave Di2 quite a few years ago, we have one (warranty case) hanging in our shop. It has fully electronic shifting (with the option to go automatic, likely based on cadence - see THIS link for group part datasheets) and electronically controlled suspension. Not many were sold due to an exorbitant price level (3-4k€ for a comfort bike) and the (then) novelty of the concept, though.

And now the Di2 is back on the hybrid market.

http://m.cyclingnews.com/features//sram-red-electronic-road-group-more-images-and-info

better pics
http://www.bikerumor.com/2013/12/16/sram-electronic-rear-derailleur-spotted-again-this-time-less-fuzzy/

Does anyone know if you can run the sprint shifters in lieu of the standard levers?

Maybe with the second gen stuff, with the original you can't- sprint shifters have to plug into the shifters.

http://m.cyclingnews.com/features//sram-red-electronic-road-group-more-images-and-info

better pics
http://www.bikerumor.com/2013/12/16/sram-electronic-rear-derailleur-spotted-again-this-time-less-fuzzy/

The most interesting thing about all this is that a CX Cat 1 Team rider was racing a bike with bottle bosses.

http://brimages.bikeboardmedia.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/SRAM-electronic-rear-derailleur-prototype-closeup-big4-600x480.jpg

Can you use this as BTR2 internal battery

?

Prototype is a bit ghetto, it is true.

this rechargeable batteries works as BTR2 Di2 battery?

Not on anything other than the original 7970 Dura-Ace Di2. The later models (including 6700, 6800 and 9700) all use active circuitry inside the battery mount, which requires the battery mount to be disassembled before it can be connected to the rest of the circuit.

Correct.

Does anyone have any experience with the Alfine Di2? I'm considering building up a bike using it. I have used an Alfine 8 in the past but never quite got on with it. It had quite a soft, spongy feel to it, was a pain to reconnect the shifting cable following punctures. The final straw was having to re-index it often, or it would slip out of gear - resulting in many smashed balls and feet unclipping smashing in to the road.

I'm hoping the 11 solves most of these issues....

many smashed balls

How many? D:

The same ball, repeatedly. Happened most when taking off taking from stationary. I push with my right foot - so I would guess my right ball. It's fine now though.

No experience of Di2 Alfine - but my experience of Alfine eight was very positive. Nothing like the issues you describe. It was used on and off road, too.

I believe James has an Alfine 11 on his fat bike - you could ask him? Appreciate its not Di2 though.

Don't get me wrong, I really liked the thing. It just wasn't as maintenance and issue-free as I hoped for. Di2 version looks like it solves the main issues I had.