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This article compares electronic and mechanical shifting and highlights their pros and cons based on personal experience and feedback from other riders.
Once you finish reading, you will know if electronic shifting is worth the additional cost or if you should stick with mechanical shifting.
KEY TAKEAWAY
After trying mechanical and electronic groupsets, I became a huge fan of electronic ones. I like their speed, accuracy, maintenance-free operation, and customizability. However, they are more expensive than mechanical options, making them less affordable for people on tight budgets. The cheapest drop-bar electronic groupset from Shimano or SRAM, SRAM Apex AXS 1x, has an MSRP of $1,195. Shimano 105 Di2 cost about $850 more than mechanical 105 when the 12-speed mechanical version launched. You also have to recharge the batteries (I do it every two to three months). Weight is no longer a reason to stay mechanical, though. By Shimano’s claimed weights, 105 Di2 is even slightly lighter than mechanical 105.
Abbreviations used: FD – front derailleur, RD – rear derailleur, Di2 – digital integrated intelligence
What Is Electronic Shifting?
Electronic shifting uses battery-powered servo motors to change the position of the front and rear derailleurs, while mechanical shifting uses steel cables that mechanically pull the front and rear derailleurs.
Electronic shifting is popular on road bikes, mountain bikes, and gravel bikes.
We can distinguish 3 basic types of electronic shifting:
- Fully wireless: There are no wires at all. Each derailleur has its own rechargeable battery, and the shifters run on coin cell batteries. Examples are SRAM AXS, Campagnolo Super Record 13 and Record 13, and Shimano’s XTR, XT, and Deore Di2 mountain bike groupsets (since 2025).
- Semi-wireless: The shifters are wireless and run on coin cells, but wires connect the FD and RD to one internal battery. This is Shimano’s 12-speed road and gravel Di2 (105, Ultegra, Dura-Ace, and GRX Di2).
- Wired: Requires routing cables from the shifters to the FD and RD, and to/from a battery. This is Shimano Di2 with 11 speeds or fewer, and Campagnolo EPS.
The following table shows the current road bike groupsets from popular manufacturers and their types.
| Level | Shimano | SRAM | Campagnolo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | Claris (8s): mechanical Sora (9s): mechanical Tiagra (10s): mechanical | ||
| Entry 1x | Apex (1×12): mechanical Apex AXS (1×12): electronic, wireless | ||
| Mid-range | 105 (2×12): mechanical 105 Di2 (2×12): electronic, semi-wireless | Rival AXS: electronic, wireless | Chorus (2×12): mechanical |
| High-end | Ultegra Di2 (2×12): electronic, semi-wireless | Force AXS: electronic, wireless | Super Record (2×12): mechanical Record 13 (2×13): electronic, wireless |
| Pro | Dura-Ace Di2 (2×12): electronic, semi-wireless | RED AXS: electronic, wireless | Super Record 13 (2×13): electronic, wireless |
What Are the Pros and Cons of Electronic vs. Mechanical Shifting?
Electronic shifting wins on effort, precision, customization, and cleaner builds with fewer cables. Mechanical shifting wins on price, no charging, and easier roadside repair.
The following table summarizes the main pros and cons of mechanical vs. electronic shifting. You will learn more about them below.
| Shifting | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | • More affordable • Doesn’t require recharging • Easier to troubleshoot and repair on the road | • Not as smooth • Manual front derailleur adjustment • No multiple shift points • Requires routing of multiple cables • Not customizable |
| Electronic | • Effortless and fast shifting • Automatic front derailleur adjustment • Multiple shift points • Customizability • Cleaner look (fewer cables needed) | • More expensive • Needs recharging and firmware updates • More difficult to troubleshoot |
Sources: cyclistshub.com, theproscloset.com, cyclingtips.com
Pros of Electronic Shifting
Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of electronic shifting.
Effortless and Fast Shifting
Unlike mechanical shifting, where you have to apply more force to actually pull the RD or FD cable, electronic shifting changes the gears with a click of a button.
This may sound silly, but it improves the riding experience because it’s more convenient.
Electronic shifting is also much faster and more precise than mechanical shifting. The following videos illustrate this point.
Automatic Front Derailleur Adjustments
The front derailleurs of electronic groupsets can automatically adjust themselves based on the gear in the rear.
This means that you don’t have to think about adjusting its position and performing maintenance as often.
Depending on the shifting mode of the groupset, you may not be able to shift certain gear combinations to avoid cross-chaining.
Multiple Shift Points
One of the features I love most about my Shimano Ultegra Di2 is the hidden button on the top of the hoods.
You can customize it via software to control your FD, RD, bike computer, etc. I prefer this button to control my rear derailleur, because it’s easy to press when riding in an aero position with my elbows at a 90-degree angle. But you can customize every button to your preference.
Keep in mind that among Shimano’s road groupsets, only Ultegra and Dura-Ace Di2 have the hidden buttons. Shimano 105 Di2 doesn’t have them.
In addition, you can purchase satellite shifters to make shifting easier when holding the handlebar on the tops. They work with Ultegra Di2, Dura-Ace Di2, and SRAM Rival, Force, and RED AXS, but not with 105 Di2.
Customizability
You can also customize how the shifting will behave. Shimano Di2 offers Synchronized Shift, where the FD follows the RD automatically, and Semi-Synchronized Shift, where the RD adjusts itself after a front shift. You can also stay in manual mode. You set this up in Shimano’s E-TUBE PROJECT app. SRAM AXS has similar Sequential and Compensating modes in the AXS app.
Watch the following video, where Shane Miller explains the differences between Shimano’s modes. It’s from 2020, but the modes still work the same way.
Cleaner Look
Wireless and semi-wireless groupsets require fewer cables, resulting in a cleaner look. As integrated cockpits become more popular, this practical feature is appreciated by many riders when building or buying a bike.
Mechanical cables can be routed internally too. I did it on my old YOELEO G21 gravel bike with a mechanical GRX groupset. But tight bends add friction, which can make shifting feel less crisp. Replacing the cables also takes more work.
When I built my YOELEO G21 Altera with SRAM Rival XPLR AXS, I didn’t have to route any Di2 cables or, even worse, mechanical cables. That made the build much easier.
The cables and Bowden cables also need to be replaced more frequently, making thin electrical cables (or no cables at all) a better option. In my first two years with fully internal routing on my Ultegra Di2, I didn’t have to service any cables.
Also available at performancebike.com
Cons of Electronic Shifting
But electronic shifting has drawbacks too. Here are some of its disadvantages.
Requires Recharging
Like all battery-powered devices, electronic shifting requires regular recharging. Neglecting to do so can result in being stranded with no gears in the middle of nowhere.
How often you need to charge depends on the system. Retailers list about 1,000 km (620 miles) per charge for Shimano’s 12-speed Di2 battery. SRAM says an AXS road derailleur battery lasts about 60 hours of riding per charge.
Fortunately, many bike computers allow you to set reminders based on the distance ridden or time to remind you when it’s time to recharge. You can also use your smartphone for this purpose.
I don’t mind recharging my Ultegra Di2 every two to three months, but I have forgotten to do it a few times already.
More Expensive
The biggest downside of electronic groupsets is their high cost.
Even the cheapest drop-bar electronic groupsets from Shimano and SRAM still cost over $1,000 at list price. SRAM’s MSRP for the drop-bar Apex AXS 1x groupset is $1,195. Rival AXS 2x launched at $1,764 in 2025.
When Shimano launched the 12-speed mechanical 105 at $1,005, 105 Di2 cost $1,855. That’s an $850 premium for the same tier. I compare the two cheapest 2x electronic groupsets in my Shimano 105 Di2 vs. SRAM Rival AXS article. For more details, I recommend checking out this Shimano vs. SRAM comparison.
This price range is often too expensive for beginners who are just starting with road cycling, as it can be equivalent to the cost of an entire bike.
Chinese brands like L-Twoo and Magene make cheaper electronic groupsets, and Magene’s upcoming QED2 is even fully wireless. But as I explain in my guide to Chinese groupsets, they don’t match the established brands yet.
Whether electronic groupsets will become more affordable remains unclear, but they still come at a premium.
Weight Is No Longer a Downside
Electronic groupsets used to be heavier because of the batteries and servo motors. At Shimano’s 105 level, that’s no longer true.
By Shimano’s claimed weights, 105 Di2 is about 35-75 g (1.2-2.6 oz) lighter than the 12-speed mechanical 105, depending on which parts you count. The Di2 shifters alone are 188 g (6.6 oz) lighter, which more than makes up for the battery and the heavier derailleurs.
105 Di2 comes out heavier only when you compare it with the older 11-speed mechanical 105.
More Difficult to Troubleshoot
My friend always says: ‘Mechanical things are easier to fix than electronic ones.’
This claim applies to shifting as well. If your mechanical shifter stops working, you can usually identify the problem, such as a broken cable. However, with electronic shifting, it can be difficult to determine the issue.
It may also be easier to find a replacement steel cable for a mechanical groupset than an electronic cable for an electronic groupset.
If the battery runs out or you crash, here’s what happens:
- SRAM AXS: SRAM says a derailleur with a dead battery stays in the gear it was already in. The front and rear batteries are interchangeable, so on a 2x groupset, you can move the front battery to the rear derailleur and keep shifting at the back.
- Shimano Di2: On low battery, Di2 stops the front derailleur first, so the rear keeps shifting for a while. I’ve seen this on my own Di2. When the battery dies completely, the derailleurs stay in their gear.
- Crashes: SRAM AXS rear derailleurs have a clutch that protects the motor on impact. Shimano Di2 rear derailleurs have a protection function that disengages on impact, and you may need to reset it before you can shift again.
Shimano 105 Di2 vs. 105 Mechanical
If the extra money doesn’t hurt, go for 105 Di2. It shifts with a light button press and isn’t heavier than mechanical 105. If your budget is tight, mechanical 105 is the better buy, because it shifts well and costs about $850 less.
| Feature | Shimano 105 Di2 (R7170) | Shimano 105 mechanical (R7100) |
|---|---|---|
| US price¹ | $1,855 | $1,005 |
| Claimed weight | 2,980 g (6.57 lb) | 3,055 g (6.74 lb) |
| Speeds | 2×12 | 2×12 |
| Shifting | Electronic, semi-wireless | Mechanical cables |
| Hidden hood buttons | No | No |
| Satellite shifters | Not supported | Not available |
| Charging | One internal battery, plus coin cells in the shifters | None |
¹US prices when the 12-speed mechanical 105 launched (2023). Weights are Shimano’s claimed figures.
So the real tradeoff is price and charging, not weight. On Shimano, the hidden buttons and satellite shifters start at Ultegra Di2.
Conclusion: Is Electronic Shifting Worth Paying More?
For me, yes. I have used both types of shifting, and to be honest, once I tried electronic shifting, I never looked back. It’s so convenient!
I started on mechanical 105 and have ridden over 25,000 km (15,500 miles) on Ultegra Di2 since. I especially appreciate its customizability, hidden Shimano Di2 buttons, and maintenance-free operation.
However, mechanical shifting also works fine, and there’s nothing wrong with it. It’s the perfect choice for beginners because of its affordability.
Mechanical shifting is also moving down the range. Shimano’s 12-speed Ultegra and Dura-Ace come only as Di2, and SRAM’s only current mechanical drop-bar groupset is Apex (1x). So today, mechanical is mostly an entry-level and mid-range choice.
Which type of shifting do you prefer? And do you think mechanical shifting, like rim brakes, will soon be phased out of the market? Let me know in the comments below.
Also available at performancebike.com
Nice overview, thanks. While agree with most of your points, this looks like you were comparing the current Ultegra Di2 (R8100) with a rather dated mechanical 105 (5800 series released in 2014?). Maybe it would be fairer to look at the more recent 105 or Ultegra mechanical (R7000/R7100 or R8000, respectively) where the derailleur pulling shifts are much easier due to the updated geometries.
Hey, Sonke,
I was comparing the previous generation 105 with the Shimano Ultegra R8000 and R8100. Yes, it’s not the fairest comparison, but I haven’t had the opportunity to have two identical sets, one mechanical and one electronic. Still, I think this article nails most of the pros and cons pretty well. 🙂
– Petr
hey peter, I’m just a 20 year old young adult and just bought a bnew 105 r7000 groupset, then I changed its cage into OSPW ones, but the problem is that, whenever I tried to use my 8th – 11th gears (the heavy ones) the smoothness fades but unlike shifting to the higher cogs which are the 1st – 6th gears, can u help me with this?
Check that the derailleur hanger is not bent and that the derailleur is properly tightened.