Shimano Releases Q’AUTO: Self-Powered Di2 Automatic Shifting for Everyday Bikes

Jim’s Tech Talk

By Jim Langley

According to Wikipedia, Shimano first released a Di2 electronic shifting system in 2001 but they didn’t make it available to the public until 2009. In case you didn’t know, Di2 stands for Digital Integrated Intelligence. 2009 is about when I got my first Di2 component group, put it on my Cervelo and reviewed it for you here in Tech Talk.

I’ve followed up with stories on the development of electric shifting over the years too, trying to present the positives and negatives (such as my piece on how Di2 front derailleurs wear out much faster than mechanical front derailleurs). And also, on Shimano’s decision to make all its high end groupsets electronic.

So I thought it was important to share the latest electronic shifting news from Shimano, the introduction of their Q’AUTO system. Everything I know about it comes from a Shimano news release that I’ve provided below. I haven’t seen the components in person or ridden them, or worked on them either.

Self-charging & intelligent automatic shifting

To me the two most noteworthy features are the system’s ability to charge itself (there’s a dynamo in the rear hub) so that you never need to worry about it dying on a ride; and its built-in intelligence that learns your shifting preferences and automatically shifts for you. You can still shift manually anytime you want if the gear the system chooses for you isn’t right.

I’ve ridden an automatic shifting bicycle before in the late 90s or early 2000s. If I remember correctly, it was called an Auto Shift Bike – or maybe just the rear derailleur was called Auto Shift. Because the auto shifting was handled by a special rear derailleur that shifted on its own based on the speed of the rear wheel. Two weights on the derailleur would move apart or come together as the bike sped up or slowed. These moving weights made the derailleur travel up and down the cogs, automatically shifting for you.

The issue with that Auto Shift system for me was that it always felt like you were in the wrong gear – always a little too hard or too easy. But I remember that people who owned them actually appreciated how they auto shifted because I received lots of requests on how to keep them running smoothly. I bet there are still some of those bikes out there. If you have one, please share your experience riding it.

With the issues I had with the Auto Bike shifting, I have trouble believing that even with the Q’AUTO’s brain, that it will be able to choose the right gear every time. There are just too many variables, such as weather conditions, fatigue level, different riding situations and so on.

But I remember that when 10-speeds first came out, the majority of riders would leave the bike on the 14-tooth cog and just ride around in that one gear hardly ever shifting. Their reasoning (which customers told me in the shop), was that because the chain was on the 5th cog and they had a 10-speed, they figured it was right in the middle of the gear range so a nice medium gear, good for everywhere they rode.

Customers were always surprised when I explained that that 5th cog was one of the more difficult gears actually and that they really should shift into easier-to-spin gears. But they were similar to the Auto Bike owners who were happy to let the bike just do its thing rather than worry about shifting.

And, if you read between the lines of Shimano’s title of their press release at the top of the page here, you’ll see that they say at the end “for everyday bikes.” I think what they mean instead is “for everyday riders.” In other words, not for experienced serious riders who are very particular about their gear choices.

That’s just my take on it so far. Feel free to weigh in with your thoughts on Q’AUTO and automatic shifting by leaving a comment. Below is a video about Q’AUTO and the news release with some more details and specs. They did not provide pricing information and it’s unclear whether you can buy the components separately yet or if they’re available on a complete bike yet either.

Shimano debuts its newest innovation, Q’AUTO, a battery-free automatic shifting system for all urban,trekking, and gravel bikes

Until now, fully automatic shifting was only possible with advanced e-bikes. Shimano’s newest shifting technology takes that concept and turns it on its head and combines the joy and simplicity of riding a mechanical bike, with electronic shifting. Q’AUTO is an innovative technology designed to make cycling more enjoyable and accessible for riders of every skill level.

Q’AUTO maximizes your hidden potential, allowing you to experience the ease of riding in the perfect gear. Discover how effortless cycling can be with Q’AUTO. And, with no need to worry about charging, because the dynamo in the rear hub keeps the Q’AUTO charged.

Shimano continues to evolve its internationally renowned bicycle components for all types of leisure and performance cycling, with over a century of innovation, starting with a single gear, and can now offer a fully automatic, battery-free Di2 shifting experience with Q’AUTO.

Its battery-free design and adaptive learning software allow for an entirely new type of bike that keeps riders in the right gear and adapts to your riding style. Allowing you to focus solely on the road ahead.

No Charge Required

Q’AUTO will debut with the revolutionary Shimano CUES FH-U6060, a freehub specifically designed for automatic shifting, featuring a dynamo function inside its body that will generate its own power with each pedal stroke. Inside the freehub, there are three sensors to track speed, cadence and slope, allowing the intelligent Q’AUTO to collect power while riding and storing the electricity needed for performing shifts.

Without a battery to worry about, the bike is always ready to go, so people can spend more time riding and less time waiting.

Q’AUTO is designed for easy integration, and long-term reliability. Its cutting-edge hardware and software create a whole new style of bike that provides advanced automatic shifting without a battery to worry about.

Launching alongside the Shimano CUES FH-U6060 freehub are the Shimano CUES RD-U8050-SGS/GS rear derailleur and the SW-EN605-R wireless shift switch. Avid cyclists will want to note that the rear derailleur is compatible with Shimano’s entire range of wireless Di2 switches and shifters – from flat bar to drop bar – covering the widest range of riders and riding styles.

Adaptive Learning

Q’AUTO takes the guesswork out of shifting and automatically keeps riders in the right gear, learning as you shift, and monitoring the relationship between the rider and the riding conditions they are experiencing.

With the Di2 shift switch, riders can provide immediate feedback, so as not to disrupt their riding flow. By tapping the switch to adjust to a different gear, the system will select that gear and remember this setting for similar situations. With over 6,500 possible algorithmic patterns to choose from, Q’AUTO will adapt to each riding style and any challenge it encounters.

Over time the bike becomes uniquely yours—shifting for you when you prefer—from (almost) the very first pedal strokes. The more you ride, the more in-tune the rider and their bike becomes.

Components features and benefits

Rear Hub FH-U6060: Automatic Shifting Dynamo freehub

• Battery-Free Convenience: The dynamo function generates its own power, eliminating the need for battery replacements or charging
• Speed, cadence, and slope sensors that support smooth and precise automatic shifting
• Personalized Shifting: The adaptive learning function remembers the rider’s shifting patterns and offers optimized shifting tailored to individual riding styles
• Compatible with LINKGLIDE 1×10 or 1×11 Cassettes
• Li-ion capacitor that can store power for over a year.
• 142 x 12mm E-Thru axle
• 28-, 32- and 36-hole compatible

Di2 Rear Derailleur RD-U8050-SGS/GS: LINKGLIDE Wireless communication Di2 Rear Derailleur

• Q’AUTO compatible
• LED indicator
• Function button that toggles between three preset modes
• Compatible with LINKGLIDE cassettes: 11-speed 11-50T, 11-45T, and 10-speed 11-48T (RD-U8050-SGS); 11-43T (RD-U8050-GS)

Shifter SW-EN605-R: Wireless communication shifting switch

• Three-button shifting switch with intuitive operation
• LED battery indicator
• Two CR1632 coin cell batteries are required
• Customizable via E-TUBE PROJECT Cyclist app (Version 5.2 or newer)
• 22.2 clamp band

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Jim Langley is RBR’s Technical Editor. A pro mechanic & cycling writer for more than 40 years, he’s the author of Your Home Bicycle Workshop in the RBR eBookstore. Tune in to Jim’s popular YouTube channel for wheel building & bike repair how-to’s. Jim’s also known for his cycling streak that ended in February 2022 with a total of 10,269 consecutive daily rides (28 years, 1 month and 11 days of never missing a ride). Click to read Jim’s full bio.