New XT wireless announced

avc8130 said:
Have they finally realized the marginal gains across all the different variants just aren't worth all of the production/stocking costs? Shops should be thrilled with the reduced offerings?
Click to expand...
Not really. Shimano is historically slow to respond to consumer demand. They have watched Sram eat their lunch for years and basically do little to stop it.
 
serviceguy said:
Go figure…since when? Not that it matters, I’m still safely in the peasant zone.
Click to expand...

They did it when they “upgraded” the road groups.

Although, I had to troubleshoot an 11-speed Di2 system that had a bad wire somewhere and I definitely don’t miss that shit at all.
 
I must be missing something obvious but I'm struggling to see much, if any, advantages to going from Shimano's cable actuated systems which is pretty darn good in my opinion to the new wireless system other than the perceived "cool" factor. Compared to their current cable actuated lineup in all grade levels (XTR, XT, Deore) the wireless version costs more, weighs more, more complex, and need batteries. When your cable system is dialed in, I don't see any shifting speed/accuracy advantages either, at least for muscle bikes. Maybe for ebikes it can handle the extra torque better with shifting under power. I guess all I'm saying is I'm not rushing out to ditch my cables... yet.
 
Had the opportunity to test ride a demo Yeti with the new XTR wireless setup. First off, loved the bike overall but the drivetrain was the bomb. Blows the AXS GX on my Tallboy out of the water. Shifting is super fast and quiet even under load, first time I can honestly say that shifting technology has been improved upon big time.

Me new problem is justifying NBD to my other half.
 
tonyride said:
I must be missing something obvious but I'm struggling to see much, if any, advantages to going from Shimano's cable actuated systems which is pretty darn good in my opinion to the new wireless system other than the perceived "cool" factor. Compared to their current cable actuated lineup in all grade levels (XTR, XT, Deore) the wireless version costs more, weighs more, more complex, and need batteries. When your cable system is dialed in, I don't see any shifting speed/accuracy advantages either, at least for muscle bikes. Maybe for ebikes it can handle the extra torque better with shifting under power. I guess all I'm saying is I'm not rushing out to ditch my cables... yet.
Click to expand...

Same story as the road groups: you don't get it, until you do. I was a long-time Di2 denier, until I had the opportunity to live with it. Every shift, the same effort. Every shift, light and tactile...even when you are sucking wind and utterly exhausted.

I've physically held both, an XTR Di2 setup (with shifter...), and my own XTR cable setup, with high-zoot aluminum housing instead of steel strands, with the shifter. The difference is a wash at the high end, imo. If you happened to have a frame that was equipped with cable stops, the cable-op setup would win...otherwise, it's a draw*.

What I think it doesn't do? Ride your bike for you. Make the ride easier. Change your life. No electric system dumps gears as fast as cable op...but it does do it with less effort.

My unofficial opinion? Since they concurrently released 3 separate Di2 systems...they're probably going to kill cable operated "race" gear, just like they did on the road side. CUES will eventually replace everything that isn't for people who want 'the good stuff', and the traditional race groups, Deore, XT, and XTR, will drop their cable options. When you eventually buy a new bike, you won't have a choice...that's what will be there if you're buying a race bike: Di2, or AXS. That's it. Manufacturers don't like fractured product lines.

*Not to get lost in the weeds, but their chain control moving to double springs instead of a physical clutch is huge. It works extremely well, and the difference in shifting is pronounced. If it moves to the cable operated side, it would be earth shattering...but it probably won't (see above).
 
Karate Monkey said:
Same story as the road groups: you don't get it, until you do. I was a long-time Di2 denier, until I had the opportunity to live with it. Every shift, the same effort. Every shift, light and tactile...even when you are sucking wind and utterly exhausted.

I've physically held both, an XTR Di2 setup (with shifter...), and my own XTR cable setup, with high-zoot aluminum housing instead of steel strands, with the shifter. The difference is a wash at the high end, imo. If you happened to have a frame that was equipped with cable stops, the cable-op setup would win...otherwise, it's a draw*.

What I think it doesn't do? Ride your bike for you. Make the ride easier. Change your life. No electric system dumps gears as fast as cable op...but it does do it with less effort.

My unofficial opinion? Since they concurrently released 3 separate Di2 systems...they're probably going to kill cable operated "race" gear, just like they did on the road side. CUES will eventually replace everything that isn't for people who want 'the good stuff', and the traditional race groups, Deore, XT, and XTR, will drop their cable options. When you eventually buy a new bike, you won't have a choice...that's what will be there if you're buying a race bike: Di2, or AXS. That's it. Manufacturers don't like fractured product lines.

*Not to get lost in the weeds, but their chain control moving to double springs instead of a physical clutch is huge. It works extremely well, and the difference in shifting is pronounced. If it moves to the cable operated side, it would be earth shattering...but it probably won't (see above).
Click to expand...
Fair enough. Sometimes I'm just content with being blissfully ignorant. I can't miss what I don't know. If I start hating my Shimano cable actuated shifting then I may give the Di2 a look but until then I'll stick with what is working just fine for me. So based on what you're saying the only advantage is it shifts easier, not quicker, not lighter in weight, not more accurate. Just easier. Then there's the beauty of simplicity with cable system. No additional batteries to worry about. I'm looking at the system as a whole from the use of it to logistics, maintenance, cost, and consequence of failure.
 
Last edited:
I’ve come to understand that those who benefit most from e-shifting are kids small enough that the twist or push of a shifter is a lot for their little hands to operate.

I see that Microsoft will have e shifting on kids bikes shortly. This is a win my book.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom