Gravel Bikes with electronic gear shift

Gravel bikes with electronic shifting

Precise, fast shifting and minimal maintenance - an electronic shifting system on a gravel bike enhances your riding experience as an enthusiast or racer.

Why choose a gravel bike with electronic shifting?

On gravel rides through the countryside or in gravel races, the equipment on a gravel bike makes a difference. An electronic shifting system allows reliable gear changes in fractions of a second. Anyone who has tried this shifting system on a gravel bike is impressed with the speed of the shifting, independent of weather and load. The batteries last for 1,200 to 1,500 kilometres. Without shifting cables, the bike's design looks clean and modern.

Features of electronic shifting on gravel bikes

An electronic shifting system works without mechanical cables. Therefore, the regular adjustment of cable tension is eliminated. Depending on the manufacturer, the shifting command is transmitted via an electrical signal or wirelessly. You have the choice between a crankset with one (1x12) or two (2x12) chainrings. A second chainring is useful if you are mainly on the road. The finer gradation of the groupset increases comfort. If you prefer off-road adventures, a single chainring is sufficient. This eliminates components such as the derailleur and the second shifter.

For gravel bikes designed for rough terrain, Shimano’s GRX Di2 is suitable. Those who use their gravel bike as an all-road bike benefit from electronic road bike shifting systems such as the Shimano Di2 Ultegra. The Japanese manufacturer uses wired technology, unlike SRAM. SRAM has various gravel groupsets in its repertoire with the XPLR eTap AXS and other eTap AXS series.

Mechanical or electronic shifting: advantages and disadvantages

Depending on the terrain, shifting on a gravel bike with electronic shifting provides outstanding advantages:

Fast, precise, and low maintenance

Electronic shifting systems shift rapidly and accurately. Gear changes are up to 25 percent faster. With a single button press (and hold), you can easily shift through the entire cassette.

An electronic shifting system is low maintenance

Shimano GRX Di2 or the SRAM eTap AXS self-adjusts once configured. Say goodbye to weird crunching noises from your chain as it shifts through the gears.

Customise your setup

It’s easy to personalise your setup with the Shimano or SRAM app. Customise your shifting speed, shifting logic and the various shifting commands right in the palm of your hand.

Anyone who chooses a gravel bike with electronic shifting needs to be aware of a few downsides:

Price

A mechanical groupset is cheaper than an electronic one. However, manufacturers are already using the advantages of electronic shifting on entry-level groupsets.

Weight

Electronic shifting systems add additional weight due to the batteries. However, the extra weight is always decreasing: Shimano states it as 100 grams.

Buying a gravel bike with electronic shifting online

Since Canyon has no intermediaries, you can get your gravel bike with electronic shifting at an unbeatable price-performance ratio. We deliver our bicycles 95 percent assembled to your doorstep. Our nationwide service partners support you with any problems.