Bicycle electronics do not always need a charger. Shimano Q’AUTO provides automatic gear shifting for bicycles without electric propulsion. A dedicated rear hub generates the electricity the system needs while riding. It powers shifting, not pedal assistance: the rider still supplies the effort that moves the bicycle.
The system selects gears using speed, cadence and gradient. With compatible Di2 buttons, riders can correct a gear choice, and the system learns from those corrections. Without buttons, riders can choose one of three preset shifting modes.
This is not a conventional internally geared hub. Q’AUTO controls an external rear derailleur and stores energy in a capacitor. Retrofitting requires a compatible 12x142 mm rear end and suitable CUES Di2 and LINKGLIDE components; the described system supports 10 or 11 speeds, not 12.
For everyday riders, the attraction is thinking less about when to shift while keeping the character of an ordinary bicycle. Automation does not remove chain or brake maintenance. When considering a complete bike or conversion, component compatibility and a comfortable pedalling rhythm matter more than the technology’s name.