Dirvetrain preference : Mechanical vs electronic

[RawrCal]

I too am in the boat of "once I went electronic, I never went back to mechanical." However, I recognize that a reliable mechanical set up is all you really need to enjoy the sport and is likely easier to deal with for the home mechanic. Also much cheaper.

I love and prefer Shimano DA/U Di2 and found it much more ergonomic, responsive, and refined compared to wireless SRAM shifting (I have never been a SRAM fan though). I find my use and control of the bike is much more seamless and smooth with Di2. Just like with any other bike parts, you don't need electronic shifting but if you like it and can afford it - go for it.

[Alexandrumarian]

Always funny to see how different we all are.

I tested a bike with Force and another with di2. I was super impressed with the Sram shifting system, i don't see how it could get any easier. Maybe because the logic is somewhat similar to Campy which I use. Shimano on the other hand, I had to think too much about it and I found the two levers too close together. I wouldn't want to use one with winter gloves. Sram's rear shifting seemed painfully slow and the whole drivetrain was painfully noisy (it was new, verified by a mechanic and also by me). Shimano rear was OK but front motors bzzzzt noise was annoying. In the end I could live with either if I wanted a super aero bike which would not work with mech, otherwise considering the premium one needs to pay, no thanks.

[Hexsense]

I tested a bike with Force and another with di2. I was super impressed with the Sram shifting system, i don't see how it could get any easier. Maybe because the logic is somewhat similar to Campy which I use. Shimano on the other hand, I had to think too much about it and I found the two levers too close together.

That's why I customize my Di2 buttons away from stock setting.
My configuration:
Front buttons: for front derailleur (between chainrings)
Rear buttons: for rear dereailleur (between cassette sprockets)
Left hand: move (front or rear) gear to the left.
Right hand: move (front or rear) gear to the right.

So my finger usually look for the rear edge of the shifting button prepare to shift rear gears. This is easy to find and is a sure way to not pressing on the front button instead. For a few time I have to shift front derailleur, I'm a little slower making sure to feel the front button (with texture) though. But it's rare enough that I like this setting.
One more advantage of this configuration is that, even if you press the wrong button, the gear still move in the direction you intend it to. In other words, both left hand bottons make gear easier and both right hand bottons make gear harder. So if I miss press it, only the magnitude of gearing change are unexpected but the direction of gear ratio change is still correct.

[cveks]

I still prefer mechanical due weight savings and much better price.

Best groupsets for me price/performance are Campagnolo Potenza ans SRAM Force 22.

Best groupset is SRAM Red 22.

Best cranksets are FSA K-Force Light or SL-K

[stevesbike]

I still prefer mechanical due weight savings and much better price.

Best groupsets for me price/performance are Campagnolo Potenza ans SRAM Force 22.

Best groupset is SRAM Red 22.

Best cranksets are FSA K-Force Light or SL-K

I have mechanical Red 22 on my climbing bike for events like Haute Route Alps - Scott Addict SL with rim brakes, 5.9kg. I have Di2 on my aero bike for general training and local racing. Di2, especially front shifts, is definitely better. Mechanical, though, is lighter and also I prefer it on bike that I travel with - easier to repair if something goes wrong and less likely to cause a big issue in a race. Having started racing in 1985 with friction 6 speed on downtubes, I don't think there's any reason to complain about either mechanical or electronic setups today...

[wheelsONfire]

I still prefer mechanical due weight savings and much better price.

Best groupsets for me price/performance are Campagnolo Potenza ans SRAM Force 22.

Best groupset is SRAM Red 22.

Best cranksets are FSA K-Force Light or SL-K

I have mechanical Red 22 on my climbing bike for events like Haute Route Alps - Scott Addict SL with rim brakes, 5.9kg. I have Di2 on my aero bike for general training and local racing. Di2, especially front shifts, is definitely better. Mechanical, though, is lighter and also I prefer it on bike that I travel with - easier to repair if something goes wrong and less likely to cause a big issue in a race. Having started racing in 1985 with friction 6 speed on downtubes, I don't think there's any reason to complain about either mechanical or electronic setups today...

Agree on your opinion of FD shifting!

[raggedtrousers]

I haven't read the entire thread, so apologies if I repeat points already made.

The big advantage of electronic, IMO, is - hopefully - set and forget, near perfect shifts every time. Not having mechanical cables significantly reduces the maintenance factor for a gravel bike in particular, especially in wet climates. Sprint shifters will appeal to some and the ability to sync to a head unit is a plus.

Mechanical is cheaper and it's typically easier to resolve problems on the road or at home. There's possibly more 'feel' to the shifting.

I don't have a hugely strong preference either way tbh.

If I were looking at a performance road bike, then if budget allows, I'd say it's hard to look beyond Di2. SR EPS if you're a millionaire. If you're looking to save a bit, Ultegra or Chorus; hell, even 105 works really well these days.

For a gravel bike: if 1x, Ekar; if 2x, probably GRX Di2.

For an all road, AXS 2x wide.

But in all honesty, most groupsets these days are so good, it's hard to make a genuinely poor choice.

[Steve Curtis]

I'm a lucky guy and have 11 bikes of various sorts in my rotation.
Back in 2019 I picked up two new bikes, a cannondale synapse di2 disc and a cannondale scalpel black di2 XTR.
These are the only two bikes I've ever purchased from a bike shop and the only two I've purchased with electronic shifting and they are the only two bikes I've ever regretted buying. Mostly due to di2 and its consistent list of problem and shift issues.

I've never had so many chain drops in my cycling career. The system was set up correctly. Both bikes were double checked multiple times by different stores, not just myself due to the amount of issues.

The XTR rear mech was warranted 3 times in a year due to failures.
The ultegra hoods were a poor fit for me. The button action was nasty and really bad in winter with even thin gloves.

I've not used AXS but that's something I'm interested in buying once we're over these weird times and the prices level out.

So, for now I'm back to cable shivers and they work perfectly so I'm in no rush.

[Nickldn]

Out sure if it is OT for this thread, but wondering what your thoughts are about the shift feel of Campy mechanical compared to Shimano mechanical and if either is closer to the electronic shifting experience.

In my view the most recent 11s Shimano groupsets (r7000, r8000 and r9100) shift really smoothly with much less effort than previous generations, especially for the FD.

On the other hand Campy seems to use more powerful return springs, which require more finger effort to change gear, even on RD. The effect is a lot more clicky and there is much more feedback about a positive engagement.

So to me Campy feels a lot more mechanical than the latest Shimano. I am sure this is a deliberate design feature from Campy to differentiate their product, oh and the shifting is really good once you get used to it.

On the other hand electronic shifting only gives you feedback when you press the button(s), which is why it's really important for the buttons to provide good feedback and not feel 'dead', like a cheap computer mouse button for instance. SRAM is good at this, not tried Di2 for a long time.

[gorkypl]

Shimano fd mechanical shifting is as good as it can get, I agree. Campy seems to be a bit worse here, but both eps and di2 trump them easily.

On the other hand, upshifting on Camoagnolo rd is so good that it beats not only Shimano mechanical, but also all electric systems I've tried. The machine-gun like sound, speed and tactile feedback is addictive - and it's one of the reasons I don't plan to switch to any other system, mechanical or electric.

[raggedtrousers]

I've never used EPS, so take that out of it, but Campag mechanical feels the most mechanical, in a good way, if that makes sense. Shimano is very smooth/soft; it wouldn't surprise me at all to learn that their engineers have tried to make their mechanical groupsets feel more electronic. It's horses for courses.

[nickf]

I have had excellent luck with all my 10 and 11 speed red groups over the years. I had one rival shifter break on me back in the day. I have etap on one bike and will more then likey replaced with mechanical it once it shits the bed. Electric is cool but more of a novelty for me as I maintain and setup all my bikes myself.

[usr]

One objective shifting quality drawback I have observed is that shifting on oval chainrings seems to suffer from the blunt force of electronic shifting. Lots of roadside issues, it seems to me like frilly shifting on ovals works much better with a gentle hand that is (at least on a subconscious level) aware of crank angle and so on.

(only observed, I ride neither ovals nor motor shifting - I love electronics on the bike like the next guy who spends their spare time programming ANT+-controllers, I just don't see the appeal in using computers and servo motors on a task that is so simple that it can be done by operating a simple lever pulling on a wire)

[rollinslow]

I own them all and have to say, I prefer mechanical. Instantaneous shifting, that strong haptic feedback, no batteries.

[iheartbianchi]

I have used both electronic and mechanical, tried Shimano Dura/Ultrgra/105 also Campy Chorus through SR.

I am sure electric has positives, but I much prefer mechanical. Too much automation and batteries and screens in our life as it is. When I am out in nature I just want me, some mech and the beautiful clicking of Campy manual gear shifts. I guess similar to the difference between manual and auto transmissions in cars. Except unlike cars, a smoother or slightly faster gear shift on a bike won't make me faster!

Fwiw money is no issue (see my bikes below). But I am also the type to use Record on one of my bikes instead of SR because I never used Record before and I wanted to try it out.