I built my first bike last year, a Specialized Allez Sprint (rim brake), and had a great time with the project, learning a lot along the way. I’d like to add a long distance, more comfortable road bike to the stable (N+1), and this time I want to go disc brake and electronic shifting.
Any preferences or reasons to build a new road bike with eTap vs Di2? I have Di2 on my tri bike and AXS on my XC mountain bike (SRAM’s electronic shift system for MTB). I installed AXS on the MTB and the process was so easy because of the wireless system, so no cables to run through the bike. I’m fine with the extra installation work of Di2 if the end result is a better system, but I’m not familiar with the practical differences between the two systems for road bikes.
Any thoughts here? I’m eyeing the Tarmac SL7 frameset, assuming Specialized replenishes their inventory at some point.
I just built up a gravel bike with DI2 and it was testing at times. Provided your frame is friendly with the wiring and you have the correct length cables although a little time consuming you shouldn’t have any issues. I judged my cable lengths almost to the mm so I had to fiddle around where the junction sat in the frame and the orientation of the cables in the 4 x junction through the bottom bracket. My biggest gripe with DI2 is the front junction/charge port but you could use the bar end type to neaten things up if it doesn’t already have a frame unit.
I have Etap on my road bike and DI2 on my tri bike as well. Etap is so much neater and easier to install but the performance of DI2 is flawless. The Shimano front derailleur is by far superior (I run oval rings so I’ve had good experience in this area) than Sram and you may be keen to play around with sync shifting of Shimano. You can’t really go wrong with either and I’d look at what is the best value for money and if having 12 speed is of any value to you.
My vote is for Di2. I’ve used both, and yes the installation of DI2 takes a little more time, but that is a one time deal, then done. Battery is easier to live with, faster shifts, better FD trim. .02
eTap. I have Di2 on my TT bike and eTap on my road bike. The road bike shifting experience on eTap is vastly superior to Di2. For a TT bike, I would always choose Di2.
the shape of the lever hoods, particularly on the hydraulic setup. I change hand positions a lot, and having a large bulbous end on the hoods will interfere with that.
2). I hate the idea of changing the chain standards with AXS. It means that you can’t just slap on any crankset you want, and your options for chain replacements are more limited.
I have no experience riding AXS, and only a little bit on di2, so I can’t speak to shift quality.
the shape of the lever hoods, particularly on the hydraulic setup. I change hand positions a lot, and having a large bulbous end on the hoods will interfere with that.
I just upgraded from mechanical shift / hydraulic brake Ultegra to hydraulic uDi2 just because of the hood size. The Di2 hood size is perfect, especially if you have smaller hands.
Just FYI and not sure if it matters to you … shimano is releasing a new road groupset that will replace the current version di2. When will it be released??? Anyone’s guess at this point.
IIRC, when the latest version of di2 was released, shimano provided the groupset to bike mfg’s right away so you could by new complete bikes with the new groupset almost immediately. The challenge was if you wanted to just buy the groupset (you had to wait).
Any pictures you could post showing the hood size difference would be appreciated. I will build a gravel bike early next year and am interested in your take on the sizing especially for small hands which is my use case.
so much of this choice is personal preference. to be clear ive never ridden either group, but i’d go eTap all the way.
-easier, more enjoyable build/maintenance - no need to measure wires down to the mm, fiddle with junction boxes, route the wires, worry about one popping out, etc. i don’t buy the battery-charging argument that folks have against etap. anyone with etap (or DI2 for that matter) on their bike has other things on their bike they have to charge frequently (head unit, power meter, maybe lights, etc.). if the rear runs out, swap it with the front. or, carry a spare third battery in your saddle bag if you’re really concerned about it.
-cleaner look. no shift wires/cables at the hoods or near the derailleurs. i personally think the groupset itself (crankset, rear der) looks more attractive than dura ace. again, highly personal.
-more forward-thinking design, gear ratios, and shifting ergonomics.
-12 speed
sure new dura ace will probably be 12 speed so that advantage for SRAM may disappear but still in my mind, the SRAM system is far more appealing. and from a performance perspective, like i said i havent ridden either system but i’d be hard pressed to think that the performance of di2 is THAT much more superior. most media and reviews concede that shimano is that hare quicker to shift, and the front ring shifting may be smoother, but these things are said to be splitting hairs to try and find a difference in the two. neither will hold you back by any means when it comes to shifting performance.
so much of this choice is personal preference. to be clear ive never ridden either group, but i’d go eTap all the way.
-easier, more enjoyable build/maintenance - no need to measure wires down to the mm, fiddle with junction boxes, route the wires, worry about one popping out, etc. i don’t buy the battery-charging argument that folks have against etap. anyone with etap (or DI2 for that matter) on their bike has other things on their bike they have to charge frequently (head unit, power meter, maybe lights, etc.). if the rear runs out, swap it with the front. or, carry a spare third battery in your saddle bag if you’re really concerned about it.
-cleaner look. no shift wires/cables at the hoods or near the derailleurs. i personally think the groupset itself (crankset, rear der) looks more attractive than dura ace. again, highly personal.
-more forward-thinking design, gear ratios, and shifting ergonomics.
-12 speed
sure new dura ace will probably be 12 speed so that advantage for SRAM may disappear but still in my mind, the SRAM system is far more appealing. and from a performance perspective, like i said i havent ridden either system but i’d be hard pressed to think that the performance of di2 is THAT much more superior. most media and reviews concede that shimano is that hare quicker to shift, and the front ring shifting may be smoother, but these things are said to be splitting hairs to try and find a difference in the two. neither will hold you back by any means when it comes to shifting performance.
I think that mechanical (on certain frames, like the Venge, new Emonda, Madone, etc.) looks the cleanest. The etap derailleurs are friggin’ HUGE! even the di2 FD is kinda chunky.
On a bike like the Emonda, the only cable you see is the tiny little loop at the rear derailleur, which on a current shimano derailleur is barely noticeable.
i have both. you cant go wrong with either. some people are convinced one is superior to the other. they are wrong. there are pros and cons to each but both are amazing systems. go with the one you are leaning towards in your gut or whatever you get a better deal on.
2). I hate the idea of changing the chain standards with AXS. It means that you can’t just slap on any crankset you want, and your options for chain replacements are more limited.
I’m building up a new bike and this was my biggest hesitancy in going with AXS. I like etap so much I caved and got it anyways. I guess you could argue that SRAM won by making me buy more of their stuff but I almost didn’t buy their products at all because of the compatibility issues with non-Sram parts. They took a big risk by going this route.
Thanks - I’ve done a lot more research now and reached the same conclusion. Both systems work well but there are minor differences to consider. At this point, I’m leaning towards Di2. In no particular order, I like the single charging port rather than having to charge multiple batteries, not to mention changing out the small batteries in the shifters with eTap. I also like the ability to cycle through the Garmin bike computer screens with the top shifter buttons.
Plus, all of my other road and tri bikes are Shimano, so I’ll have more compatibility options, such as swapping the wide tires & wheels from my wife’s road bike.
But I haven’t made a final decision. I need to put my hands on both shifters and decide which one I prefer holding. I suspect that may be the ultimate decider.
All of your Di2 upsides are hugely valid. In particular, I am highly envious of my buddy who change change his Garmin screens. And changing those eTap shifter batteries is a royal PITA. But, if you can, you ought to test ride an eTap bike and compare the RD/FD shifters. I freakin’ love my everyday eTap experience over the occasional Di2 upsides.
