7 ms·

so apparently Hammerhead makes a smartwatch-esque handlebar-mounted computer that integrates with Shimano bicycle hardware, but they're having some kind of cont

so apparently Hammerhead makes a smartwatch-esque handlebar-mounted computer that integrates with Shimano bicycle hardware, but they're having some kind of contract dispute..? not a long article, but the relevant parts seem to be: > At the request of Shimano, [...] software update on June 2nd [...] will remove on-screen battery status and shifter mode data, front and rear derailleur indications, and Karoo screen control via the Di2 hood buttons from Shimano Di2 drivetrains. > Shimano has withdrawn permissions [...] until we are able to forge a new agreement.

mathieuh 4y ago
Yes, but it’s anti-consumer bullshit from Shimano. They are making Hammerhead remove Di2 functionality because Hammerhead was recently bought by SRAM, the other big player in the bicycle component market, who make their own electronic groupsets. It’s like you’ve been using AirPods with your Android phone for ages with no issue, then Google releases some wireless earbuds and Apple decides AirPods no longer work with Android phones at all.
femiagbabiaka 4y ago
Hammerhead makes what’s known as a bicycle computer. The original purpose of a bicycle computer was quite simple, to track stats measured about performance on the bicycle. That’s expanded quite a bit. Now bicycle drivetrains are operated wirelessly rather through cable tension, and bicycle computers can integrate with them as well, through a protocol called ANT+. ANT+ is an open protocol, and most bicycle components and accessories with digital features (think heart rate monitor, computer, smart watch, smart trainer, etc.) nowadays are interoperable between manufacturers because of it. ANT+ however does allow for custom proprietary implementations. Shimano was supposed to be migrating away from their proprietary implementation for their DI2 (electronic shifting) systems, but they haven’t, and are now starting a trend of ostracizing competitors. The likely cause for this is that Hammerhead was just acquired by SRAM, one of the 2 major competitors in the bicycle component business. That move from open protocols to closed protocols used cynically is a pretty big departure and could be disastrous for bicycle riders, we’ve been lucky to have component compatibility across manufacturers as an option for decades. I could probably say more but I’ll stop here for now.
- account-5 4y ago
  I had no idea this was a thing, though I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. I think I'll be sticking with cables. You know these companies are looking for a way to monetise the gear shift data somehow.
- _moof 4y ago
  > Now bicycle drivetrains are operated wirelessly rather through cable tension ...ok, now I'm officially a curmudgeon.
  - femiagbabiaka 4y ago
    Haha, myself as well. There are some advantages for racers especially as you can essentially program gear shift triggers as you move up the cassette in your small ring and eliminate the need to trim when the chain line gets funky. But these are really small advantages with a lot of tradeoffs to make.. unfortunately the mechanical group set is actually being eliminated from new product offerings especially at the higher end. Thankfully there is always the second hand market.
    - kelp 4y ago
      Yep and you can also set it to just use one shift lever for up and down shifting. It will shift front and rear as appropriate to get you a higher or lower gear. In practice this means sometimes it shifts the front and then moves the back up or down 2 or so gears.
    - hahaxdxd123 4y ago
      Well there's not many more advances to be made "at the higher end". You'll see trickle down and the equivalent of current Dura-ace level in the 105s inside of a decade.
  - Dave_Rosenthal 4y ago
    Yeah, I was too till I tried it. Thousands of miles of instant, perfect shifts at the light touch of a button with no adjusting, no cable clutter, no cleaning, etc. is very nice. It would all be worthless if the electronic shifters were in the least bit unreliable but the two systems I’ve used have both been rock solid. Electronic shifting systems even add reliability vs. mechanical ones by allowing a knock to temporarily displace the derailleur, which the motor will then fix nearly instantly, rather than breaking/bending while futility trying to resist a high force.

mathieuh 4y ago

Yes, but it’s anti-consumer bullshit from Shimano. They are making Hammerhead remove Di2 functionality because Hammerhead was recently bought by SRAM, the other big player in the bicycle component market, who make their own electronic groupsets. It’s like you’ve been using AirPods with your Android phone for ages with no issue, then Google releases some wireless earbuds and Apple decides AirPods no longer work with Android phones at all.

femiagbabiaka 4y ago

Hammerhead makes what’s known as a bicycle computer. The original purpose of a bicycle computer was quite simple, to track stats measured about performance on the bicycle. That’s expanded quite a bit. Now bicycle drivetrains are operated wirelessly rather through cable tension, and bicycle computers can integrate with them as well, through a protocol called ANT+. ANT+ is an open protocol, and most bicycle components and accessories with digital features (think heart rate monitor, computer, smart watch, smart trainer, etc.) nowadays are interoperable between manufacturers because of it. ANT+ however does allow for custom proprietary implementations. Shimano was supposed to be migrating away from their proprietary implementation for their DI2 (electronic shifting) systems, but they haven’t, and are now starting a trend of ostracizing competitors. The likely cause for this is that Hammerhead was just acquired by SRAM, one of the 2 major competitors in the bicycle component business. That move from open protocols to closed protocols used cynically is a pretty big departure and could be disastrous for bicycle riders, we’ve been lucky to have component compatibility across manufacturers as an option for decades. I could probably say more but I’ll stop here for now.

account-5 4y ago
I had no idea this was a thing, though I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. I think I'll be sticking with cables. You know these companies are looking for a way to monetise the gear shift data somehow.
_moof 4y ago
> Now bicycle drivetrains are operated wirelessly rather through cable tension ...ok, now I'm officially a curmudgeon.
- femiagbabiaka 4y ago
  Haha, myself as well. There are some advantages for racers especially as you can essentially program gear shift triggers as you move up the cassette in your small ring and eliminate the need to trim when the chain line gets funky. But these are really small advantages with a lot of tradeoffs to make.. unfortunately the mechanical group set is actually being eliminated from new product offerings especially at the higher end. Thankfully there is always the second hand market.
  - kelp 4y ago
    Yep and you can also set it to just use one shift lever for up and down shifting. It will shift front and rear as appropriate to get you a higher or lower gear. In practice this means sometimes it shifts the front and then moves the back up or down 2 or so gears.
  - hahaxdxd123 4y ago
    Well there's not many more advances to be made "at the higher end". You'll see trickle down and the equivalent of current Dura-ace level in the 105s inside of a decade.
- Dave_Rosenthal 4y ago
  Yeah, I was too till I tried it. Thousands of miles of instant, perfect shifts at the light touch of a button with no adjusting, no cable clutter, no cleaning, etc. is very nice. It would all be worthless if the electronic shifters were in the least bit unreliable but the two systems I’ve used have both been rock solid. Electronic shifting systems even add reliability vs. mechanical ones by allowing a knock to temporarily displace the derailleur, which the motor will then fix nearly instantly, rather than breaking/bending while futility trying to resist a high force.