The Archer D1x replaces the gear lever and Bowden cable that controls your mechanical derailleur with a wireless electronic system. It has an electronic lever that communicates wirelessly with a box that is attached to your chainstay or seatstay. This box contains an electric motor that pulls a short length of Bowden cable to operate the derailleur.
Four main advantages are claimed for this:
- It gives a fast and precise shift. I have listed this as one advantage as these factors are usually two sides of the same coin.
- The electronic lever can be positioned most anywhere and needs only the touch of a microswitch to operate. This makes the system a useful problem solver, helping, for example, people with limited dexterity or those difficult people with difficult machines like tandems and recumbents.
- At least when it was launched, the system was notably cheaper than a full blown move to Di2 or to any other fully electronic alternative.
- And finally you can set the number of sprockets and the exact derailleur position that you want for each sprocket. This allows you to use impossible combinations (9-speed Campagnolo derailleur running with 8-speed SunRace sprockets anyone?) or to compensate for any other weirdnesses that life throws at you (how about a bent derailleur hanger while touring Kazakhstan?).
The product was produced from 2018 to 2024. I believe that, during that time, there were a number of variants:
- The system was originally launched (in 2018) with two cylindrical black Li-ion batteries and (I believe) a plastic, flip open, battery cover.
- In 2019 the battery cover was improved to be a round, aluminium, screw-in cap. At this point I think that the word 'Trail' was added to the name.
- In 2022 the two black batteries were replaced by three red 'sprint' batteries. The higher voltage, possibly combined with improvements in the motor, led to very much improved speed of operation.
- In 2023 the system underwent a full redesign, with a cartridge battery, compatibility with SRAM and Shimano batteries, a further improved motor, better waterproofing, better repairability and the addition of 'Gen 2' to its name. But, best of all, the power button was removed and it automatically powered up when it detected movement.
And then, by 2024 it was, alas, all over - Archer were, possibly, crushed by the post-Covid bike bust, lower priced electronic groupsets from SRAM and Shimano and an exploding kaleidoscope of Chinese competitors.
This example is from the second generation listed above - with a round, black, aluminium battery cover.
- Derailleur brands: Archer
- Themes: Electric Avenue
- Country: USA
- Date of introduction: 2019
- Date of this example: unknown
- Model no.: unknown
- Weight: 144g for actuator (without batteries) and 2 P-clips. A total of 225g if you add the cable parts and the lever (without battery)
- Maximum cog: not applicable
- Total capacity: not applicable
- Pulley centre to centre: not applicable
- Index compatibility: everything
- Chain width: 3/32”
- Logic: top normal
- B pivot: not applicable
- P pivot: not applicable
- Materials: largely plastic
Ref. 2154
