sayn3ver

Has Shimano or SRAM or even campy come out anywhere in their literature making an expected support life promise regarding battery availability?

You know how many tech companies give you an outline of support dates for updates and security patches etc like apple does for os x and iOS, windows, etc or how auto manufacturers by law need to provide parts for at least 10 years.

I'm sure a replacement for the single battery for di2 could be located and modified to work in the future if needed. I'm concerned regarding Sram etap batteries and future availability.

I'm posting more to see if any of these companies have officially or unofficially mentioned this concern.

Sy Reene

Do they even officially commit to support and supply of the mechanical bits and pieces such as levers, chainrings, cassettes etc?

unterhausen

Shimano is horrible about spare parts in general, especially now

There are 3rd party di2 batteries, so I assume they would become more common if Shimano stopped selling them.

Ed Wiser

I would. It expect support after 7 years. Your not going to see electronic C&V bike. 😀

Joe Bikerider

My hope is that soon all these battery powered bikes. Either just for shifting or for motorcycling down the mup will be broken down and obsolete. I look forward to it. Especially after this morning’s ride.

rebel1916

Well that was apropos of nothing.

shelbyfv

Did SRAM just end support for 11 speed etap?

Koyote

I’m not even sure what he meant.

rebel1916

I'm 80% sure he is in an incoherent rage about ebikes, which he has apparently confused with electronic shifting

Litespeedlouie

My feeling is that group manufacturers will eventually stop making specific battery packs and they probably won't commit to a time unless mandated by law. They'll make new designs, sales of old designs will wither, OEM makers of the LiIon cells may stop making some sizes. Many products no longer have easy battery pack replacements, such as older laptops. You can buy poorer quality 3rd party replacements, or try to replace the internal cells.

I see Youtube has videos of people replacing the internal cells in Di2 packs, which can be easier and cheaper even when the originals are available. I urge caution as there are many details about replacing LiIon cells - and they can be a bit dangerous.

I don't have the problem, since to me, electronic shifting seems to defeat the purpose of the bicycle by making something simple and elegant complicated and expensive.

Joe Bikerider

Maybe you will figure it out. I can explain. Bikes are simple devices that are operated by muscle power. Needing batteries is just wrong. Sorry I wont help you when your electricity is gone.

rebel1916

No one, but you, is talking about e-bikes here. I appreciate the effort to be more coherent in this non sequitur post though.

tempocyclist

Yes. Pretty tough to source any 11-speed eTap derailleurs, blip boxes, etc. The batteries are the same for eTap and 12-speed AXS though, so that's something I guess.

Atlas Shrugged

When electricity is gone not sure how much help you would be anyways.

TiHabanero

My guess is 7-10 years per specific design is the support window. They don't want the burden and cost of having these batteries made and inventoried for a long time. The shortest time line they can get away with is the answer.

MattTheHat 

Please fill us in on the harm you endured because of electronic shifting this morning.

CaptPat1

I think this is right as it follows the model we see in cordless hand tools. In the near term there’s money to be made in selling unique batteries