Automatic shifting in the EMTB test: Auto-Shift from Sram and Shimano in the reader check

When four EMTB readers arrive at the editorial office in Munich on a Sunday in March, expectations are evenly balanced. The day begins with a draw between Team Scepticism and Team Hope. "I like it when I can be active myself while cycling," says Franz Fischer, for example. And his tester colleague Dirk Oswald also doesn't appreciate it when a system does things for him: "It's the same with driving a car when the windscreen wiper switches itself on - it's either too fast or too slow, but never does exactly what I want it to do."

Today, accompanied by EMTB editor Adrian Kaether, they get to test something that is quite revolutionary in the bike industry: the new automatic drivetrains from Shimano and Sram. Andreas Schweig therefore starts the EMTB reader test day full of hope and says: "I can imagine that the manufacturers have developed something really good." And Claus Selig, who is "incredibly interested" in the topic, is already convinced: "This is the future of biking."

Our reader testers for the Auto-Shift innovation check

Sram or Shimano? Who has the edge

Editor Adrian has prepared four current bikes for EMTB readers: The Centurion No Pogo F3000i and the Bulls Sonic EVO EN-SL each with the new Shimano XT Di2 drivetrain in combination with the new EP801 motor. The Propain Ekano CF and the GasGas MXC on the other hand with the Sram Eagle Powertrain System - a combination of Sram's wireless Eagle drivetrain and Brose's Drive S Mag drivetrain.

What both systems have in common is that their automatic shifting function can be activated in such a way that manual shifting is no longer necessary. Even when rolling without pedalling, the automatic shifters search for the right gear, which Shimano calls "Free Shift" and Sram "Coast Shift". The significant differences apart from the hardware: apart from the rear derailleur, which is usually supplied with power from the e-bike battery via a cable, Sram works wirelessly and can be configured with two support levels (Range and Rally). Shimano's system, on the other hand, is wired and offers up to 15 support levels on request, which can be activated via an app.

These are the test bikes with automatic transmission

"Typically Japanese," says Claus about the wide range of options for configuring Shimano's automatic transmission via the E-Tube app. Not only can two different automatic modes be customised, but the responsiveness of the system can also be adjusted in many different ways. The most important setting criterion for a smoothly functioning automatic system is the cadence. This allows the system to find the right times for shifting. This is also the case with Sram, although the setting is more intuitive and can also be made directly via the beautifully integrated display in the top tube. "I had to readjust the cadence because it didn't work for me at all at the beginning," says Claus Selig after setting off on the Isar trails, while Dirk Oswald enthuses after the first few metres: "I noticed straight away that it works brilliantly."

A comparison of the systems

With the XT Di2 and the Eagle Powertrain, Shimano and Sram have developed systems that can shift gears automatically. This works by the drivetrains and gears communicating with each other and reacting to changes in cadence, speed and torque.

Sram Eagle Powertrain

For its Eagle Powertrain System, Sram uses the proven Brose Drive S Mag (90 Nm) with its own software. The centrepiece of the automatic transmission is Sram's Eagle Transmission with twelve gears. Compared to Shimano, the gears can be set with fewer parameters and Sram only offers two support levels for the motor. The operating logic is particularly intuitive and the cadence setting, which is crucial for the automatic shifting, can also be adjusted while riding. You don't need the app for fine tuning.

Shimano XT Di2 Linkglide

The automatic functions of the Shimano XT Di2 drivetrain are only compatible with the newer motors. EP 801 and EP 6 compatible. In addition, the system requires the robust Linkglide chain and cassette with only eleven gears to fully release the automatic shifting system. This is intended to minimise wear. Some manufacturers also install the XT Di2 with the classic twelve-speed Hyperglide cassette, but in this case Shimano only officially releases the Free Shift function (shifting while rolling). The argument: The light and hyperglide cassette is not compatible with automatic shifting under load. Shimano's app allows you to configure two automatic modes in great detail, which can be quickly selected and changed via the display on the handlebars. Unfortunately, the configuration via the app, as well as the adjustment of the cadence (also possible via the display menu) is only possible when the bike is stationary.

Endurance test on the Isar trails

What stands out: All four EMTB reader testers quickly get used to not having to shift gears. On the cycle path and on the first gentle ups and downs along the Munich Isar, both systems work in such a way that they inspire both Team Scepticism and Team Hope. "I'm pleasantly surprised," Franz Fischer summarises and attests that the Shimano system is "foolproof". And Andreas says of the Sram automatic transmission: "So far, it has done what it's supposed to and shifts very intuitively."

But the acid test is still to come for the gears. After EMTB editor Adrian explains all the configuration options in detail, the reader testers can really let off steam on the Isar trails. Tough climbs, technical descents, constantly changing terrain and sometimes slippery surfaces pose major challenges for bikes and riders.

The reader testers swap the bikes to feel the differences between the Sram and Shimano systems. "Shimano shifts very smoothly, Sram a little crisper and louder," Andreas Schweig notes. But all in all, the initial euphoria faded for all four testers in the demanding terrain. The testers felt that the technology - both Shimano and Sram - was partially overtaxed, especially when entering steep ramps with a lot of momentum. Claus Selig was somewhat disillusioned to realise: "The automatic system can't look ahead, so I was often in the wrong gear." On the downhill, on the other hand, all testers were equally impressed by both Shimano's Free Shift and Sram's Coast Shift. "The fact that you no longer have to pedal to engage the right gear in tricky situations - I think that's great," says Dirk.

"Everyone switch off the automatic now", EMTB editor Adrian asks the four testers before the ride back to the editorial office. The trail starts to flow again. And after just a few minutes, Claus switches back to automatic. His tongue-in-cheek explanation: "Shifting gears yourself is somehow so 80s!"

Driving situations in detail: Where does the automatic transmission shine, where does it fail?

On tour: casual pedalling with automatic gearstick

Accelerate, steer, brake. Getting around can be that easy. What has long since become a good habit for many people in cars is now set to revolutionise the bicycle market. The four EMTB readers were simply amazed at how well the systems from Sram and Shimano work on cycle paths, forest tracks and technically simple trails. "The target group for this is huge," says Franz Fischer, describing his impressions. Like all the other testers, he believes that beginners and hobby bikers in particular can fully enjoy the benefits of automatic transmission.

In order for the automatic gear shifting to work smoothly, it is important that the gears are set perfectly and that they are well adjusted to the individual cadence. With Shimano, this can be done via the E-Tube app, with Sram it is very simple via a six-stage adjustment in the display. The Sram system can also be configured via an app - for example, the assignment of the two pods, which can be used to operate the entire system including the seatpost via radio control using two buttons on the left and right of the handlebars, can be customised. If you want to shift gears manually, you can intervene in the automatic system at any time with both systems. However, this is actually superfluous on tours. Claus Selig says: "On the cycle path or on easy trails, I never once felt the need to shift gears myself."

I expected the automatic transmission to mean that I no longer had to think about which gear I was in when cycling. And they completely fulfilled these expectations on easy terrain. Both Sram and Shimano work very intuitively. I didn't use the gear lever once. - Andreas Schweig, reader tester

Steep uphills: The automatic gearshift at the limit

The Shimano and Sram systems shift automatically based on changes in speed, cadence and torque. But especially when things get steep, this "takes a lot of getting used to", as Franz Fischer realises. "I constantly had to intervene and shift gears myself." The automatic gears master even gradients perfectly - but as soon as the terrain becomes unrhythmical, the four reader testers find their performance unsatisfactory.

A classic example: The sweeping approach to a steep, rooty climb. The gears react too sluggishly when changing speed and gradients, the testers criticise the gears being too thick on the climb. Nevertheless: "The high torque of the Sram motor simply pushes you uphill if the climb is not too long," says Dirk Oswald. However, all four EMTB testers no longer enjoy the relaxed and relaxing feeling of no longer having to shift gears themselves on steep terrain.

"Disappointing overall," says Claus Selig about the performance of the automatic gearsticks in technical terrain. "There's still a lot of room for improvement". At least he agrees with his fellow testers: Shimano shifts more smoothly, Sram a little more crisply. Overall, according to the testers, the gear changes work reliably even on steep terrain. "Every now and then there was a bit of a clunk - but to be honest, manual shifting sometimes does that too," says Andreas Schweig.

The automatic gears work perfectly on even climbs - it's very comfortable. However, as soon as it got steep and rooty, I had to constantly intervene manually. When I rode into a steep section with momentum, I was often in gears that were too heavy. Some sections were no longer rideable as a result. - Franz Fischer, reader tester

Automatic downhill shifting: is Free-Shift convincing?

"That's a game changer, of course," says Dirk Oswald about the fact that the automatic gearstick engages the right gear even when you're not pedalling. This is made possible by the fact that the drive also moves when rolling - naturally only as fast as the rear wheel is rotating.

What Shimano calls Free Shift and Sram Coast Shift makes the EMTB reader testers go into raptures. For leisurely cycling, this means never having to think about which gear you need to start off in after a stop. For serious biking on trails, on the other hand, the automatic gears really come into their own. "If you want to accelerate fully out of a bend, you are automatically in the right gear," says EMTB editor Adrian Kaether and knows that this is precisely why pros and racers also appreciate this automatic function.

But even amateur riders like our four testers are delighted with the function. "It's great when I no longer have to stress about which gear I'm in," says Franz Fischer. And Dirk Oswald also sees advantages in terms of safety. Especially when things get tricky downhill, he thinks it's important that bikers can concentrate fully on the trail. Both systems work perfectly downhill and impressed all four EMTB reader testers. "This is how innovative technology should work," summarises Claus Selig.

Free Shift and Coast Shift are great. It's not just on flowing trails that the automatic gears work so well. On steep and rooty downhills, it's even a safety criterion: I'm always in the right gear, even when I'm not pedalling - perfect! - Claus Selig, reader tester

EMTB conclusion on the automatic gearshift

Strengths

• works quickly and intuitively. Both systems reliably relieve the biker of shifting gears in many situations
• The Coast Shift (Sram) and Free Shift (Shimano) functions also shift gears when rolling without pedalling. This means that the perfect gear is almost always engaged on tricky descents
• Gearsticks work precisely and reliably. Perfect performance when the gears are properly adjusted
• individually configurable. Both systems can be adjusted more (Shimano) or less (Sram) to personal preferences and riding styles
• manual intervention possible. The automatic system can be corrected manually at any time

Weaknesses

• reaches its limits on technical terrain. On climbs, sudden steps or rhythm changes, the automatic system often engages the wrong gear. The systems simply cannot look ahead
• The gears must be properly adjusted, otherwise fun can quickly turn into frustration
• High entry-level price for both systems

Anyone who has got used to simply putting their left foot down when driving a car will no longer want to do without automatic gear changes. In comparison, the self-shifting systems from Sram and Shimano are still in their infancy. But they have already convinced, if not inspired, the EMTB reader testers to a large extent. And ensured that - if the trails weren't too tough - they quickly forgot what their right thumb was actually there for: manual shifting.