Sound cool, but I wonder how durable it is. I pedal pretty hard and I always lessen the torque when shifting to not degrade the components as fast. If my bike is shifting on its own, wouldn't that cause more untimely shifts which grind down parts?
this post was submitted on 05 Jun 2025
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Q'Auto is for LinkGlide, which requires pedaling pressure to shift correctly. Hyperglide and Hyperglide+ perform similarly when shifting to more teeth, albeit to a lesser degree. SRAM Eagle is another drivetrain technology that requires more torque to shift correctly. LG and Eagle can kinda shift like garbage when soft-pedaling.
I have test-ridden LG and Eagle, For me, shifts are perfect in the 10 to 25% torque range; full pedaling torque results in perfect shifts nearly every time. And I'm a clydesdale.
Another thing to consider: LG right now is targeted for commuters and e-bikes, although Shimano seems to be expanding the tech. So it's designed for high load and commuter levels of neglect.
In my experience (>165,000 lifetime miles), HG requires letting up when shifting to less teeth, HG+ less so. The overarching amount of wear comes from a dirty drivetrain and riding on a worn chain*. Keep your drivetrain clean, stay on top of the prescribed maintenance intervals, and the components will last a long time.
FWIW, the only time I have ever broken chains was putting down too much torque when shifting to a smaller tooth count. And that was only with HG. I haven't broken a chain in decades. HG+ seems to be very tolerant of more torque in both directions.
*This script is getting flipped in some technologies (Eagle, IIRC), with the chain having a much longer service interval than the chainrings.
Thanks for the explainer! I think I am in the commuter neglect category, but I am trying to understand my bike a bit more so I don't always have to bring it to the mechanic, now I have a bunch of words to search for!
running from a self-charging Li-ion capacitor that can store power for over a year.
This is the way! Get rid of batteries, please.
But as nice as this system sounds, it also sounds oh, so proprietary and complex. I like simple things when talking bikes. LOL
But as nice as this system sounds, it also sounds oh, so proprietary and complex. I like simple things when talking bikes. LOL
Totally fair.
After I watched their video Q'AUTO - Features & Tips | SHIMANO and reread this post's linked article I'm a bit less enthused as the app and potential patent seems to indicate that this is proprietary :/
Innovation only exists within capitalism as a method of securing future business.
Shimano doesn't do anything if its not going to make money. I thought it's known they are ruthless and greedy.
I will never quit the satisfying *CLICK* of my 10-year-old XT shifter!
That aside, I did ride an auto-shifting ebike a few years ago in Vancouver and it was nice I guess. It didn't use this system of course. It was a Shimano Alfine hub with a STEPS motor.
This, along with the new XTR, is sexy AF. It's also absolutely antithetical to my ideal of the bicycle. Will there be parts in 30 years? Hell, will it last ten years? Can my knuckle-dragging, mouth-breathing dumb ass work on it with the tools I already have and are applicable to all of my other bikes? What happens when it stops working and is no longer supported?
Shimano may have gotten better about this, but the last time I had to rebuild an STI lever, I swore off brifters. Okay, I've got one road bike with 10-speed STI, but I got it for $150 from a shop going out of business.
To paraphrase Louis Rossman: if you are unable to repair it, you don't own it.
Yeah, I haven't tried the new fancy stuff bc I know sourcing parts would be a pain around here, so I stick with stupidly simple bikes and it's fine for my daily use
Shimano automatic-shifting
WHAT?!?!!!
I want it
AHHHHHHHHH Pain
Edit:
I'm pretty hard on my bikes so the chains grind uncomfortably against the cassette, I'll have to replace the cassette, chains, and front shifter cable soon as it's too short to retension😬
So this autoshifter system is perfect for me😍