Trying to develop a drivetrain is no easy feat when you consider all the patents you have to work around. Add to that the electronic drivetrains are even harder to manage because even the path the electronics operate in are patented. Even SRAM admitted it was one of the biggest challenges they faced when developing eTap. Well, microSHIFT figured it out and wired their Taipei Cycle Show booth with this functioning motorized system…
Microshift has been a smaller but well received brand helping out the OE market by supplying entry to mid-level road bikes with dependable, low price-point drivetrains. So we weren’t expecting to step into the microSHIFT booth and hear that distinct bzzzt bzzzt bzzzt sound. Though the 11-speed eXCD shifter and derailleur are prototypes still under development and a bit slow, they shifted perfectly without missing a beat shift.
Using a “clutch”, the 11-speed derailleur can handle up to a 42 tooth cassette, so it sounds like they’re on the right track with current standards. The motor wasn’t as fast as others on the market, but so far this is only the second electronic drivetrain we’ve seen designed for mountain bikes and they were pretty clear that it was still under development.
One unique feature is that the the “standard” rechargeable batteries and electronics are all contained within the eXCD shifter. Good for 6,000 shifts (~1,000+ km), the shifter has an on/off button to save power and a visible LED indicator to keep you aware of the battery’s charge. With only a rear shifter and derailleur, it’s clearly aimed at a 1×11 set up, which should work just fine with their wide-range cassettes they showed off last year, though, presumably, it’ll be coupled with an even bigger 11-42 11-speed cassette.
Despite their excusing it as very early in testing, it was pretty impressive to see such a smooth functioning prototype. No word on price, but we suspect this could be a viable option for the less than uber-boutique bike customer.
