> the Ford derailleur appears to be aimed at the e-bike market
...and possibly pros? They mention Di2 in here, I don't know anyone (outside of Freds) that are riding Dura-Ace-level grouppos that actually do their own maintenance, so this probably won't be targeted to enthusiasts.
Electronic shifting will become a standard, or at least a common option, on mid-range 105/Rival bikes ($2-4k) within the next few years most likely. The same way hydraulic disc brakes have trickled down over the past several years.
I still ride mechanical myself, but have friends with electronic shifting and they rave about it. It's nearly zero maintenance because it's self-adjusting. Just lube it and clean it, and replace the chain every few thousand miles.
Even though electronic shifting may be "better" I still find a beautiful simplicity in the all-mechanical nature of a bicycle.
Is that a term now? It is no longer that the norm a bicycle, and you have to specify if it's uses electricity. Now you specify that you ride "mechanical"?
The world is changing or the e-bike sellers are doing some great marketing.
I think human-powered bikes are still the assumed norm, but the surging popularity of e-bikes may start challenging that soon, especially for practical purposes as opposed to recreational purposes.
https://bike.shimano.com/en-US/product/component/alfine-s705...
https://bike.shimano.com/en-US/product/component/grx-di2.htm...
[edit: links and XT->GRX]
Sram has AXS all the way down to rival, which is 105 level.