Stephen Lavinio
Member
I’m considering converting my older S40 from a cable shifting system to an electronic shifting system either SRAM or Shimano. Looking for someone having experience doing this upgrade to discuss the pros & cons.
Converting S40 to electronic shifters
- Thread starter Stephen Lavinio
- Start date
Greg S
Guru
You might have a bit more success if you were to post this in the S40 sub-forum (this one is for racing events/reports).
To get you started toward an answer: since you’re converting an older S40 it depends in part on how much change you’re willing to make. Electronic shifting with cable actuated brakes is becoming harder to find (not impossible, just not readily available anymore) so also converting to hydraulic disc brakes will broaden the possibilities for you. Some other things to think about: 1x or 2x drivetrain? What sort of gear range do you need (how hilly is it where you expect to ride)? How handy are you mechanically (doing the conversion yourself or having a bike shop do it)?
Both of my Cruzbikes (V20c and S40 Gen 6) are electronic. The V20c is Wheeltop (12 speed, cable actuated disc brakes), the S40 is SRAM 1x AXS, also 12 speed, cable actuated disc brakes.
To get you started toward an answer: since you’re converting an older S40 it depends in part on how much change you’re willing to make. Electronic shifting with cable actuated brakes is becoming harder to find (not impossible, just not readily available anymore) so also converting to hydraulic disc brakes will broaden the possibilities for you. Some other things to think about: 1x or 2x drivetrain? What sort of gear range do you need (how hilly is it where you expect to ride)? How handy are you mechanically (doing the conversion yourself or having a bike shop do it)?
Both of my Cruzbikes (V20c and S40 Gen 6) are electronic. The V20c is Wheeltop (12 speed, cable actuated disc brakes), the S40 is SRAM 1x AXS, also 12 speed, cable actuated disc brakes.
Stephen Lavinio
Member
Thanks, will do. Both my bikes have drives that are cabled Sram2x. I don’t race but ride 30 miles 4-5 days per week here in Jersey during the summer and in FL in winter. Not sure if I’d attempt to convert it myself but ave a friend whose son is a bike mechanic.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Frito Bandito
Zen MBB Master
I use a 2x SRAM AXS system and love it. For some reason I was never good at remembering how to adjust mechanical rear derailleurs so when I switched to AXS and could adjust the RD on the app very easily with a few clicks I became an instant fan. Living in Japan going with Shimano seems like the logical choice, but I wanted true wireless shifting so that was the main reason I chose SRAM. Secondary was the 10t option on the cassettes, but the Mavic CSR60C wheels I have came with Shimano hubs that are 12-speed compatible so they are not convertible to SRAM drivers.
I have both brifters on drop bars, and Wireless Blips with Super Record bar end brake levers (mechanical) on a Deda Tribar and rim brakes, and they both work very well. The TT setup in my profile pic is blingy and lighter but it isn't very comfortable in hard efforts. The brifters are excellent though.
I can't really say there is a con for SRAM AXS, at least not one or some that is big enough for me to have 2nd thoughts on switching. Some people fear being stranded with a dead shifter or derailleur battery, but I carry a spare battery in my Moose pack, and this is still a 2nd backup battery because of the front derailleur battery still being available to swap if the RD battery dies. I get about 800km on a new RD battery and about double that on a FD battery, and I would suppose over a year on the brifter batteries. SRAM advertises 5-7 years on the Wireless Blips, but I got a tad less than 3 years on my first set. They are swappable with a Dremel tool and some glue, but I have a new set now.
Mavic CXR60C wheels have the Exalith braking system, and I have two sets of those wheels, so I am not going to be switching to disc brakes for a very long time, and likely not to hydraulic either. I think it has been around long enough on bicycles to be worth the switch now, but I kind of like the simplicity of wired brakes.
I have both brifters on drop bars, and Wireless Blips with Super Record bar end brake levers (mechanical) on a Deda Tribar and rim brakes, and they both work very well. The TT setup in my profile pic is blingy and lighter but it isn't very comfortable in hard efforts. The brifters are excellent though.
I can't really say there is a con for SRAM AXS, at least not one or some that is big enough for me to have 2nd thoughts on switching. Some people fear being stranded with a dead shifter or derailleur battery, but I carry a spare battery in my Moose pack, and this is still a 2nd backup battery because of the front derailleur battery still being available to swap if the RD battery dies. I get about 800km on a new RD battery and about double that on a FD battery, and I would suppose over a year on the brifter batteries. SRAM advertises 5-7 years on the Wireless Blips, but I got a tad less than 3 years on my first set. They are swappable with a Dremel tool and some glue, but I have a new set now.
Mavic CXR60C wheels have the Exalith braking system, and I have two sets of those wheels, so I am not going to be switching to disc brakes for a very long time, and likely not to hydraulic either. I think it has been around long enough on bicycles to be worth the switch now, but I kind of like the simplicity of wired brakes.
