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Archer D1X wireless shifting towards production, XTR/Eagle mashup teases possibilities

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Back at Sea Otter earlier this year, Archer Components broke onto the scene. Based out of Santa Cruz, CA, the small company was gearing up to go head to head with the other wireless shifting conversion kit – the XShifter. While neither company has launched their system just yet, both are getting very close. Archer Components just posted the photo above to their Facebook page stating that they are testing out the final enclosure for the rear shift pod, which means they’re nearing production.

Photos c. Archer Components Facebook

They also posted this photo which shows a complete redesign of the shifter itself.

The original shifter had a rocker switch to move up and down. The new shifter (shown as a 3D printed prototype) appears to have two separate round buttons. Archer is also claiming their current prototype yields over 25,000 shifts per charge – which if true, should mean you won’t have to be recharging the system very often. Unlike the X-Shifter, Archer is only going after the 1x market with a single shifter to work the rear derailleur.

Perhaps most interesting though, is the video they just posted to Facebook showing a mashup of a SRAM Eagle 12 speed cassette and chain, and a Shimano XTR 11 speed rear derailleur. Somehow it all works together quite smoothly on a bike with a direct mount rear derailleur hanger. If you look closely, you can also get a glimpse of what is likely the final enclosure for the shifter as well, which still has two circular push buttons, but has mounting holes that likely play well with the various MatchMaker/I-Spec/standard clamp set ups on the market.

Hopefully we get to check out the final version soon!

archercomponents.com

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MIrwin
MIrwin
6 years ago

Cool stuff!

Archer peeps, Is the chainstay box reinforced, should I inadvertently hit it on something? Approx. number of shifts per battery charge? If I should forget to charge it, is there an ability to manually select a gear to limp home? Cheers!

Frippolini
Frippolini
6 years ago

What’s so wrong with a full length cable (wire) running from the shifter to the derailleur to motivate this… upgrade?

In what way do their product offer superior value so as to motivate…
(a) spending additional money to build a non-standard and unproven shifting solution,
(b) straddling an electronic box to the bottom of a chain stay,
(c) taking the risk of a non-standard product and replacement guarantee?

Curious to know (preferably without some of the BR commentaries’ hidden insults and sneers). Thanks.

AK_Ben
AK_Ben
6 years ago
Reply to  Frippolini

With no snark: I believe having a shorter cable could make the shifts quicker than a full length cable would allow, combined with simple push button shifting, at much less $$ than Shimano Di2 fully electronic shifting. I’m curious to see what happens with this, best of luck to the folks at Archer.

blah blah blah
blah blah blah
6 years ago
Reply to  Frippolini

i’m with you Frippo

Shafty
Shafty
6 years ago
Reply to  Frippolini

I’m lost on this as well. The top end groups already shift extremely well, even with convoluted cable runs. I’m skeptical of the buttons vs wide shift paddles. These weird wireless hacks are suitable for tandem use though. The whole “mix’n’match brands” thing is relatively useless now, since everything works so well already.

Andy
Andy
6 years ago

Very interesting…I will follow it closely!

Paul
6 years ago

Thanks to Zach for the mention. XShifter will begin production shipping in about 1 week. Formal announcement and schedule coming on Kickstarter. We’ve taken our time to get this right. XShifter is extremely high tech and high performance. We had to create some of the technology to get this magic to happen. We did test with the servo at the chainstay location. It’s ok on road bike, but on MTB its very problematic. Gets hit by stones and your heal, gets sprayed by the chain. Better mounted up high on the seat stay. http://www.xshifter.com/wireless-shifter

Benno
Benno
6 years ago

Can’t you just strap the box on the rear stay, more out of harm’s way?

Leisesturm
Leisesturm
6 years ago

What harm? Anything that might take out that control box will also trash the RD.

Brandon
Brandon
6 years ago

I’ve ridden the D1x for extended periods in VERY rocky conditions — it has suffered no visible damage from rocks or impacts. Given its proximity to the axle it is generally out of the way of fixed or flying rocks. The body of the shifter is fiber reinforced nylon.

The mashup is a novelty – it’s simply to show what may be accomplished. The value of the compatibility is up to the user to find.

With a matching 12 speed drivetrain the performance is enhanced with the increased accuracy – everything runs quieter, and smoother, with more consistency.

There is indeed a user setting that we call the ‘get me home gear’ – shifting into this gear is the last thing the shifter will do before shutting off due to low power.

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