While I have switched to Sram AXS on my two main bikes, my fatbike and older bikes remain on cable shifting. I do admit the AXS system is superior for me during high stress situations like XC racing. I find I shift much more often, staying in a better cadence with the slight touch of a button. No 1/2 way shifts, back and forth, just instant shifts every time. I’ve had zero problems with AXS.
But, many people still like cable shifting. I get it…with some so adamant they just don’t want or ever will want batteries on their bike. Come on now, our entire lives are made better because of battery driven electronics. Sometimes, it does seem ridiculous though. Shimano has a new patent for electronic shoes. You read that right. The Boa dials will automatically tighten and loosen based on your power, uphill or downhill, road or dirt, sprinting, or climbing. The battery is in the heel of the shoe. Now THIS seems over the top. Shifting a bike precisely, every time with barely a tap does not.
Of course Sram was smart and released the 70 and 90 series of cable rear mechs, both of which fit directly into the Transmission system. And there are a fair number of high end mountain bikes that have this standard. Usually the lowest price model, but not actually low on the price scale for the bike. You can easily spend $6000 US dollars and get a cable shifing system. Which is cool.
So Vivo has cable shifting parts, Madrone here in the USA, don’t forget Ratio in the UK, and even another, Ingrid from Italy I think. Most of these high end, cnc machined beauties are pushing $400. The Ingrid is pushing $800! All are gorgeous works of metal art. Do they work any better than a boring old Shimano XT or Sram Eagle setup? I’m guessing no. I hope they sell enough to keep going.
But this smells very much like the mid to late 90’s when Paul and another cnc maker did the same thing. Shimano and Sram have nothing to worry about at the OEM level. You’ll never see these high end parts on a bike from the factory. So it’s for all you “I must be different than everyone else” type of bikers out there.
