In this forum, I have a sense that new Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 Di2, the electronic version, has gotten rather cool reception. But is it that bad? Here in Japan where I live, almost everyone who actually used it was converted and liked it a lot. I was skeptic at the beginning (mainly due to the fiasco of Mavic. I had ‘Why bother?’ attitude.), but after hearing the advantages of the system from a mechanic at LBS and my personal experience, I changed my mind. Here are some advantages for just in case you haven’t heard: (1) no annoying chain rubbing of the front derailleur any more, (2) it virtually eliminates chain-falling, (3) you can shift from your extension bars as well as base bar by simply pushing a button, (4) everything works with high mechanical precision, and there is almost zero failure.
(1) I hate when my front derailleur rubs the chain. If Di2 eliminates it, it is almost a good enough reason to switch. (2) Everyone, but particularly the pro’s, should love the elimination of chain falling. It must be a god-send. The other day, when I had a super-hill climb (elevation of 2,300m) with my Campy equipped bike, the chain fell at a really crucial moment, and my bike-buddies had to wait for me. I just hate it when it happens. (3) I recently bought my first triathlon bike (Argon 18, E-114, a fantastic bike, by the way). What I immediately realized was that I wanted to shift both at the extension bars and the base bars. It is simply more plausible and practical. Here in Japan, triathlon bike courses are usually hilly and twichy. A long, straight and flat stretch is rather a rarity. Under these circumstances, you want to shift more often, and having shifters on both bars is really convenient. (4) I equipped my new ride with SRAM Red, but so far, I am really disappointed with the quality and the functionality of it. When I bought the bike, I didn’t want to wait for Di2 to become widely available, but I now think that I should have waited.
Anyway, these are my reasons to believe that Dura-Ace Di2 is an epoch making product and deserves much more enthusiasm. I’m sure that Campagnolo will follow the way (and SRAM has a long way to go). I believe that electronic shifting will change the way we ride bikes.
about the same weight as current DA, 1 battery, about 2-3 months between charges from what Ive read. wires travel about the same way as cables do, only low profile and easier to bend
without trying it myself, i will reserve judgment until i can try it. that said, personally i am not a fan of more complexity (i.e., a battery that must be charged, and eventually replaced), but most skeptics that have taken the new components on the road ended up pretty impressed. so i will leave myself in the un-decided column.
but the biggest obstacle to me truly considering this group: price. everything i have heard has indicated that it will be very, very expensive.
My cable system works well.
I have a cell phone, laptop, digital camera, blue tooth HS, etc all with Lithium Ion batteries. they all worked really well for about a year and then the batteries started to go. They started to only hold a charge for so long and I have to constantly recharge them. The laptop battery is $150 and will soon be unavailabe, the cell phone battery is about $50 and is alreay unavailable, I had to throw away the bluetooth, but fortunately the camera battery is repalceable although the battery is about $50.
I’m not sure how often Shimano plans on changing the battery design, but the way that bike stuff evolves it wont be long (especially on 1gen stuff) and I wonder if the new batteries will be compatable. I have about 8 different cell pphone chargers in my house because the mfgs keep changing the outlet.
I’m the poor schlub that will pull his bike out of the basement for a nice ride the first day of spring only to discover I’m stuck in one gear because the batters are dead, or it will puke in the midde of the ride because we all know how reliable the battery gauges are on our other devices.
And really, it is a system that eliminates two cables. That is it. Two cables. I can replace two cables every year for the rest of eternity for about $10 a year.
I actually understand that the new electronic Dura-Ace group is quite nice, and from what I have seen so far I would agree.
But I am quite happy with my SRAM Red group for now.
for a triathlete, I could see some benefit to having a shifter in multiple locations. For hilly TT’s, I’d love to have that on my TT bike.
For the road version though, it really does seem to be the answer to the question no one asked… The biggest problem I see is that when your cable-actuated shifters ‘have trouble’, your shifting might not be as precise. When your electronic shifters stop working, it’s probably catastrophic and you’re stuck in the 11 (or some other gear) for the rest of the day.
Sure, shifter cables can break, but generally only if don’t maintain your bike. I think that the perceived risk just supersedes any potential benefit, which is why a lot of people aren’t jazzed about it.
For me, if they got rid of the massive battery back and made it wireless, I’d be much more inclined to at least look at it. As of now, I’m just going to get 7900 for next year.
In general I agree very much with your thoughts. However for a well maintained high end tri bike these things might be a good deal. I think its too early to be able to tell if electronic shifting will be a thing of the future or just a passing blimp on the radar screen. For all the down sides of battery dependent gizzmos, is there any one on this forum who would truly give up and walk away from using any laptops or cell phones? I doubt it. Tim
One of the great things about being a brand manager is getting to test new products. I rode the DA Electronic last year and really loved it. I was with many other managers and we all tested the bikes together. Overall opinions were very positive and most of us will spec it for 2009/10.
It’s not a cure all, just new.
I’m probably biased a bit since I still own a Mavic Zap system and Mektronic system that I use every once in a while and have been waiting for the “next” generation to come out.
Is it for everyone? Probably not but it will be on my next personal bike. For triathletes, the best part is mounting the shifters where you want and the ability to not worry about adjusting the front der when shifting the rear der.
I still remember when people said SIS shifting wouldn’t sell and then STI was too heavy and would break too easily so don’t rush to judgement just yet!
I have only seen the DA Electronic system in pictures that showed the shifting lever as a part of the hand brake levers. How would this type of system be used on a tri bike with a carbon Hed base bar and carbon aero extensions? Tim
That’s the road version, the tri version allows more options. I’ll see if I can find my photos I took last year and post them here unless someone else has them???
(1) no annoying chain rubbing of the front derailleur any more, (2) it virtually eliminates chain-falling, (3) you can shift from your extension bars as well as base bar by simply pushing a button, (4) everything works with high mechanical precision, and there is almost zero failure.
A good mechanic can prevent chain rubbing on the fr der without having to spend a couple of grand. You really have to have something screwed up to have a chain drop. Your 3rd comment is the only positive thing that comes about from e-shifting. As to the fourth comment, the thing will still need to be adjusted and I’d guess that anyone capable of causing items 1 and 2 with a cable system will be just as capable of making it happen with the new electronic system.
I tried it a few weeks ago and liked it alot. The shifting was very crisp, especially in the front. The Shimano rep said that it was only a few dozen grams heavier than the cabled DA group and the battery life was pretty substantial.
Perhaps I’m nitpicking, but I’m not sure how I like the button shifters on the electronic group as opposed to moving the brake lever in. I could see someone having trouble with them during the winter while they were wearing thicker gloves.
and that was the same thing I said. With winter gloves, you may have a hard time “finding” the button but I’m sure with time you will get used to it. I think that is really the only weakness to the group.