Shifting Gears (Electronically)

How Shimano's new shifting systems makes changing gears faster, easier and more accurate

By Doug Cantor Posted 02.17.2009 at 12:31 pm 5 Comments

Last year bicycle manufacturer Shimano debuted its years-in-the-making electronic gear shifting system, the Dura Ace 7970 Di2. Electronic shifting, which replaces traditional steel cables with a precise CPU-controlled system of sensors and motors, had long been a goal of bike makers. A workable solution, however, proved elusive. So when Shimano finally got it right with the Dura Ace system, it earned PopSci’s 2008 Best Of What’s New Grand Award in the Recreation category.

The system is catching on among professional cycling teams, who have used it in the Tour de France, among other big races. The company is now implementing it in an increasing number of high-end bikes, with the hope that eventually even casual cyclists will want the improved shifting accuracy and ease of use. Here Shimano spokesman Devin Walton walks us through how it works.

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5 Comments

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wak4af

02/17/09 at 11:57 pm

Nice system, but out of reach for most casual bikers.

How about getting a camera man who knows how to FOCUS a camera???

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MIP

02/18/09 at 12:36 pm

How about closed captioning for the deaf?

So we have lousy video and NO sound and NO CC.

Oh yeah, that's too difficult! yeah right.

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BNicholson

02/21/09 at 2:13 pm

This would be perfect for recumbents and velomobiles, if the price could come down a little.

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Doug Wagoner

02/24/09 at 12:32 pm

Very poor quality video. Dark, not animated, Poor questions, no stop to use. Had to listen to the whole thing. Pretty bad.

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teajae23

from Woodstock, Va.

02/26/09 at 12:24 am

SProcket scientist
This system could be easily adapted to make shift changes
on a motorcycle.
A reverseable servo on the shifter and a separate servo
to operate the clutch.
Engagement of the clutch at a stop could be modulated until
the bike is rolling, then an override switch, taking a
signal from the speedometer, would allow a faster engagement
as speed was increased.