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| The bikes of the future will have zero cables |
However; I received an email from a small, semi-custom brand recently which gave me a different feeling about this subject. I will redact the name to protect the innocent, but the following quote from this email was enlightening.
" XXX is designed as a purebred racer. The best drivetrains on the market are now all wireless. XXXv2 is only compatible with wireless drivetrains. The rear brake line now routes internally through the down tube.XXXv2 is now sleeker and more intentionally aligned with its function."
And that note was in an email for a steel frame! Soooo...... What happens when wireless drive trains trickle down to mid-tier levels? What happens when Chinese brands like L-Twoo and Wheeltop drive electronic, wireless components to the entry levels? Well, I think what we are seeing above is what will become more and more commonplace. Frames with no compatibility with cabled drive trains and brakes.
Shimano and SRAM will fall in line with this because frame makers will say it will streamline frame production, make certain designs feasible which would have been hard to do with cabled designs, and it will fit the fashion of the day.
In another email I received this week, SRAM announced a "firmware update" for Eagle AXS Transmission which addresses "cassette mapping" and shifting speeds. So, tune up by down loading an update? And this isn't even a dealer service only thing, anyone can update this system.
Does this mean cabled drive trains are becoming extinct? Well.....top of the range drive train bits are already all wireless, so the answer is it has already happened. At least for those range-topping bikes and components. This will only be spread downward into mid-tier bicycles and eventually, entry level bikes. It is going to happen.
But I do think mechanical drive train parts are a niche market which perhaps can survive in a different sort of marketplace. Maybe a more boutique, cottage type economy will serve those who do not wish to have battery operated gears.
But cables? Soooo old school!
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7 comments:
(rant ahead) I hate to say it, but this is exactly why I stick with 135mm hub standards; that's where the best ss hubs are. I don't understand how so many people are so okay with shoddy programming & constant updates to 'fix' the programming or content on computerized systems. My web browser doesn't even work properly & we've been making those for consumers for 30 yrs (and show me another program more important to people than their browser)!
Anyway, I'll be surprised if cable actuation ever goes away entirely. But if I was more opposed to single speed, i'd probably stop riding bikes.
There's a right tool for the job. When those disappear, I lose interest. (Rant over)
Cables aren't going anywhere at my house. I do have electronic drivetrains, but I have way more bikes rockin' mechanical mechs. And that's how I intend for it to stay.
My new Fairlight is built for external mechanical cables, though all the cable stays are modular for future proofing. But I'm resigned to the death of mechanical shifting. Fortunately I probably only have 10-15 years of riding left in me, so this bike will see me through to the end.
I guess that explains why my bike purchases tend to skew to older and more vintage bikes! Thank goodness for Surly, Velo Orange, and Merry Sales/SomaFab!
SSOD
@Rydn9ers - Amen to that.
No interest at all in anything electric or wireless.
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