This is the explanation needed for the poll at right. Shimano is just now releasing samples of its new 11sp electronic shifting for tri/tt. It features "1 button" shifting on the extensions, and it's upshift for the rear derailleur on one extension, and downshift for the RD on the other extension. The pursuit position is like the original Di2, with both upshift and downshift FD buttons on the left hand and for the RD on the right hand. This means that if you want to shift the FD you must come out of the aero position with your left hand to execute the shift on the pursuit.
An alternative is to plug the electronic bar-end shifters that come with Ultegra electronic groups into the ends of the extensions, and pair with an otherwise all-Dura Ace bike. If you do this, it'll be exactly the way the original Di2 electronic shifting works: 2 buttons on every shifter, at every hand position.
Obviously, if you have a bike like a Cervelo P5, it's hard to imagine 1-button shifting working, as there is no place for pursuit shifters at all if you rely on the P5's Magura hydraulic brake, which means with 1-button shifting on a Magura-equipped P5 there is no front derailleur shifting at all. But for all you folks who might be interested in a bike with electronic shifting, what's your preference:
- 1 button shifting, where only the RD is actuated via bar-end shifting and FD shifting can only be actuated at the pursuit bars;
- 2 button shifting, where the RD is up/down shifted on the right extension and FD on the left extension.
One thing to note: Shimano does not call the 2-button shifters "Ultegra". However, they are 6700 series parts, technically "R671", whereas the 1-button Di2 shifters are 9700 parts, specifically, SW9071. So, while Shimano is resisting calling the 2-button shifters Ultegra, they are sorta kinda Ultegra (they don't say Ultegra on them). I point this out, because some folks just won't be able to abide despoiling an $15,000 electronic Dura Ace bike with a... eck... Ultegra part. And that's fine. But in full disclosure, this is what's happening, and best you know so that when you vote you have all the information.
OEs (bike companies) are going to pay special attention to how all you Slowtwitchers vote, so, think about this before you press a button.
Dan Empfield
aka Slowman
An alternative is to plug the electronic bar-end shifters that come with Ultegra electronic groups into the ends of the extensions, and pair with an otherwise all-Dura Ace bike. If you do this, it'll be exactly the way the original Di2 electronic shifting works: 2 buttons on every shifter, at every hand position.
Obviously, if you have a bike like a Cervelo P5, it's hard to imagine 1-button shifting working, as there is no place for pursuit shifters at all if you rely on the P5's Magura hydraulic brake, which means with 1-button shifting on a Magura-equipped P5 there is no front derailleur shifting at all. But for all you folks who might be interested in a bike with electronic shifting, what's your preference:
- 1 button shifting, where only the RD is actuated via bar-end shifting and FD shifting can only be actuated at the pursuit bars;
- 2 button shifting, where the RD is up/down shifted on the right extension and FD on the left extension.
One thing to note: Shimano does not call the 2-button shifters "Ultegra". However, they are 6700 series parts, technically "R671", whereas the 1-button Di2 shifters are 9700 parts, specifically, SW9071. So, while Shimano is resisting calling the 2-button shifters Ultegra, they are sorta kinda Ultegra (they don't say Ultegra on them). I point this out, because some folks just won't be able to abide despoiling an $15,000 electronic Dura Ace bike with a... eck... Ultegra part. And that's fine. But in full disclosure, this is what's happening, and best you know so that when you vote you have all the information.
OEs (bike companies) are going to pay special attention to how all you Slowtwitchers vote, so, think about this before you press a button.
Dan Empfield
aka Slowman
