Do you know SHIMANO / AUTO D?
I imagine most of you will say, "Never heard of it," but it was a gear-shifting system that caused a bit of a stir in some circles about 30 years ago.
As for what kind of system it was, it used internal gear shifting for an automatic transmission system.
Since it would shift even while you were stopped at a red light, you would always start pedaling in a light gear, making it incredibly comfortable for city riding.
It was a brilliant system that overcame the major drawback of external multi-speed derailleurs—the fact that they don't shift unless you are pedaling—by using an internal gear hub. Even now, I still think it was the ultimate system for what we today call commuter or everyday bikes.
That said, it was an electronic system that cost a fair amount of money, and perhaps it was just too ahead of its time in an era when you could buy a "mamachari" (city bike) for 6,800 yen; it’s a shame it disappeared so quickly.
I remember building a commuter bike for an acquaintance using this system back then, and they were very happy with it.
And now, 30 years have passed.
The new automatic shifting system "Q’AUTO" has arrived.
In the midst of all this, the new automatic shifting system—Q’AUTO—has been released.
And what’s more, the latest version comes with the trendy addition of AI.
There’s no way I couldn't be interested.
Let’s dive into its features right away.
1. Its biggest feature: despite being an electronic system, it requires no charging.
It integrates a hub dynamo system into the rear hub, which powers the gear shifting. For someone like me who is too lazy to even bother regularly charging bike lights, this is perfect for a bike I use daily.
2. After a certain distance, the built-in AI learns your individual riding style.
While you can still shift manually using the switch lever on the handlebar, the AI learns your preferred gear positions as you ride.
In other words, the more you ride, the more in sync it becomes with you, increasing that sense of it being your partner.
Furthermore, while the old AUTO D was a 3-speed, the new Q’AUTO offers 10 or 11 speeds. Because the shifting is now external, you lose the feature where you didn't have to worry about downshifting at a stop, but the advancement in the number of gears more than makes up for that.
With only 3 speeds, taking on long distances was difficult, but this time, it’s not an issue.
3. Wireless shifting with no need for shift cables.
It is partially wired to provide power from the hub to the derailleur, but everything else is wireless, which makes it look very clean.
You can also use Shimano’s E-TUBE app for gear adjustments and firmware updates, allowing for fine-tuned customization so you can get the setup just the way you like it.
What kind of bike does Q’AUTO shine on most?
My personal take.
So, regarding this latest automatic transmission, Circles actually had the opportunity to provide some small assistance with development-stage shifting tests.
It made me rethink what kind of bikes this is best suited for.
Of course, it’s perfect for the "commuter bikes" used for daily life, and it’s also great for an entry point into sports riding. But among those, I personally think it might be most perfect for cargo bikes.
Cargo bikes often come in various shapes and many have highly creative designs.
When dealing with these as a mechanic, what concerns me is "cabling."
Wires are usually routed to snake along the bike frame, and when a bike has a cargo section near the handlebars, the wires can get compressed or the routing can be awkward, which always frustrates me when things don't feel just right.
It’s the same with brake lines, but if you have a hydraulic system, the braking performance isn't as negatively affected by tight routing. However, with a wired shifting system, tight routing increases resistance, which directly impacts the shifting itself. If it’s wireless, those issues are solved in one go.
Isn't that amazing?
Plus, Q’AUTO doesn't require charging.
You can say goodbye to the frustration of finding out your battery is dead right when you want to ride. It really hit me—I honestly don't think there’s a more perfect system for a cargo bike than this.
So, we immediately built it into our Monopole.
We’re still exploring the full potential of the AI, but I think the clean handlebar area and the minimal cable clutter turned out really well.
Q’AUTO Lineup
With that said, we’ve stocked Q’AUTO components. All you need are the rear hub and the rear derailleur. You can also add a shifter if you like.
SHIMANO Q’AUTO
FH-U6060 Auto-Shifting Internal Dynamo Freehub
SHIMANO Q’AUTO
RD-U8050-SGS/GS: LINKGLIDE Wireless Di2 Rear Derailleur
Now, what happens next is up to your imagination.
Will this become a trend, or will it vanish into the whirlpool of time? What kind of bike will you build with this infinite combination of automatic shifting and wireless technology?
We are always here to consult with you.
