The trickle down of tech from top end road groupsets to lower tier ones, and even onto the best commuter bikes is well established. More uncommon is tech that is pioneered at the more sensible end of the cycling spectrum, but today Shimano has launched what is quite an exciting tech proposition in the form of its new Q’AUTO automatic, electronic shifting system for commuting, trekking, and gravel bikes.
The premise is relatively simple. Inside the rear hub sits a dynamo, which powers the rear derailleur, as well as an array of sensors which take information about the terrain and, with input from your shifting habits, learns when you’d normally shift so it can simply do it for you.
