I know there are a lot of pedal gearheads on here so I thought you might find this interesting. If you haven't heard about Shimano's Di series electronic shifters, go google that and read up. I'll wait.
Okay. Cool stuff, right? Well, check this out - you can log into and tune it with software from Shimano - that's right, connect your laptop and tune your road bike the same way you tune your car:
http://www.bikerumor.com/2013/10/23/how-to-update-shimano-di2-to-multishift-customize-button-function-change-shift-speed/#more-68488
I just thought it was cool as crap. Despite the price tag, I will one day be running Di2 Ultegra on my Madone, just for the gadget factor.
That's pretty nifty.
I'm still a little conflicted about a bicycle needing firmware updates, but I can't deny the geeky appeal.
Gah! Frame, two wheels, crank and chain! Anything else just detracts from the experience!
And GTFOff my lawn!!! 
And then there's this guy: http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/pickup-driver-fight-cyclists-leads-crushed-bike-jail-165443573.html
I tend to get a little retro-grouch about bikes too, but everyone I've talked to who rides Di loves it. I figure on my carbon speed-machine road bike I might as well. On my steel framed, lugged gravel tour bike it doesn't make much sense. Kind of like a rock crusher 4 speed. They don't use them in F1 because there are better ways to go fast, but they are the only thing to have in a noisy big block Camaro.
I just want to know if the software is vendor-only or available for home use too...
That's pretty cool- last year we saw a presentation of a group of riders who are making an auto trans bike!
It was self powering- using a small battery + a tiny generator, and used a unique gear system to work. My wife rode it, and really loved it. it was very cool. this is it- http://evolvethebike.com/
Although the bike is kind of ugly.
The_Jed
SuperDork
10/23/13 12:56 p.m.
Jalapeno poppers the night before a ride nearly lead to a bicycling megasquirt.
1988RedT2 wrote:
Gah! Frame, two wheels, crank and chain! Anything else just detracts from the experience!
And GTFOff my lawn!!!
And then there's this guy: http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/pickup-driver-fight-cyclists-leads-crushed-bike-jail-165443573.html
Does this mean you don't approve of the combined 350mm of suspension travel on my SXtrail?
As for an auto trans bike, meh.
Partially stemming from my experiences with auto trans cars, partially from me being a glutton for punishment
(SS CX bike, 1x9, 34t MTB)
In reply to 1988RedT2:
You are such a hypster. 
especially if you are talking a fixie.
The_Jed
SuperDork
10/23/13 12:59 p.m.
alfadriver wrote:
That's pretty cool- last year we saw a presentation of a group of riders who are making an auto trans bike!
It was self powering- using a small battery + a tiny generator, and used a unique gear system to work. My wife rode it, and really loved it. it was very cool. this is it- http://evolvethebike.com/
Although the bike is kind of ugly.
that is pretty neat... takes a very good super wide range internally geared hub (CVT at that so no steps between "gears") its not far off from the full range a typical MTB would have with a triple crank so plenty of range :)
put it on a pedal forward type bike and make it so it automatically shifts itself... it's a great idea for the sort of people that typically ride those types of bikes but I'd prefer to shift for myself even if I had that geared hub...
it reminds me of a much more ellegent version of this http://hughsbicycle.blogspot.com/2011/07/csa-6-speed-auto-bike-classic.html (the autoshift bike sold on infomercials back in the 90s using weights on the rear wheel
