SRAM eTap lever batteries: What's their "tell"?

[Bob Ross]

I've had eTap on one of my bikes for about 5,500-6,000 miles now...and have never seen any indication that the CR2032 coin batteries in the shift levers are running out of juice.
Not sure how much life SRAM suggests I should get out of them. But under the assumption that eventually I will have to replace those batteries, what's their "tell"? what's the warning sign that they're nearing End Of Life?

Is there a warning sign? Or do they just stop working?

Thanks.

[Bob Ross]

Nevermind, got my answer from this video:

[j44ke]

Cool. This came up with a friend's bike about 8 months ago. He figured it out, but I somehow hadn't even considered that there would be a battery in the shifters.

[Bobonli]

There is also a SRAM smart phone app that will show you % IIRC. But for me at least the app was more fuss than just pressing the lever....SRAM wants you to "create an account".....on the app. I don't need any more accounts!

[9tubes]

I saw a message flash on my Wahoo recently about this but it hasn't repeated. My brifter lights are green with about 6000 mi since new. I think I'll change them anyway. Batteries are cheap.

[Matthew Strongin]

I saw a message flash on my Wahoo recently about this but it hasn't repeated. My brifter lights are green with about 6000 mi since new. I think I'll change them anyway. Batteries are cheap.

Semi funny story...for the first couple years on my first eTap bike I checked regularly, always fearing the day I got stuck on the road with no functional shifters. They were always green, so I eventually just stopped checking. A couple years later, BAM! they finally ran out while out on a ride. It must have been at least 10-12K miles. Now I check regularly again...still green.

[lavi]

Knocking on wood....

I have 1st gen etap (bought 4/2016 or so). I have yet to change the shifter batteries. Amazing really.

[9tubes]

Semi funny story...for the first couple years on my first eTap bike I checked regularly, always fearing the day I got stuck on the road with no functional shifters. They were always green, so I eventually just stopped checking. A couple years later, BAM! they finally ran out while out on a ride. It must have been at least 10-12K miles. Now I check regularly again...still green.

Yeah, with my derailleur batteries I don't think about the battery level, I just put them on the charger. They're good for about 600 miles, and I don't often do more than that in a month, so I just remember charging them is one of my end-of-month tasks.

[Quattro]

There is also a SRAM smart phone app that will show you % IIRC. But for me at least the app was more fuss than just pressing the lever....SRAM wants you to "create an account".....on the app. I don't need any more accounts!

Setting up an account is no big deal, I never receive any emails from SRAM, so no problem, the app works great, I check the batteries on the app before rides once a week, its simple and gives you accurate information on the battery charge for each derailleur and the shift levers, give it a try!
Quattro

[rec head]

Thanks for the video. I have had rear derailleur batteries die twice on rides now. I'm sure I'll be checking more often. I also put a spare in the saddle bag and a charger in the car.

[Toddykins]

I just ride with an extra derailleur/coin battery in my saddlebag. This takes effectively no space and weight is minimal.