With the Tour of California growing exponentially in exposure and prestige each year, it's no surprise that this week we're seeing some of the biggest names in all of pro cycling hanging out in Cali.

And where there are big-ticket teams, there are sure to be big-ticket toys.

One of the coolest blogs anywhere, Belgian Knee Warmers, has the latest spy shots of Shimano's Dura-Ace electronic shifting system that has been in the works for a few years. Campy has been developing a system of their own and Mavic had an electric system in the '90s.

The electric shifting is not without its successes: Chris Boardman won the prologue of the '94 Tour with a Mavic Zap rear derailleur, and Nico Eeckhout was the first to win a sprint with Campy's 2003 prototype.

So why would anyone need this kind of thing? Think about it: the shifts happen instantly and precisely ever time. The derailleurs would never go out of tune. There would be no cable stretch. The mechanism would be almost entirely maintenance-free. (As long as you remember to change the batteries, that is) Will it ever replace cable-actuated shifting? Of course not, but for big-budget racers, it's a no-brainier.

My prediction: Electric Dura-Ace topping off the Shimano line-up for 2009 with a formal introduction later this year. Electric Campy to follow a year or two later. SRAM? Who knows.


If you want more, CyclingNews.com has some more in-depth looks at both Shimano's system (circa 2006, 2008) and Campy's (circa 2003, 2005)