I am not sure if this was discussed but what if you suffer an injury somewhere along the way or have an injury in general. If I injure let's say my ankle, I can still go wheeling. In fact, when I injured my wrist installing my stinger on my front bumper, I was still able to go out with my friends and family and wheel with one hand. No need for shifting with my injured right wrist.
Another positive for the automatic in my book.
