Looking for a little advice. I have been slowly collecting the components to convert a 2018 P2 to Di2. I have 6870 FD, and RD, BT-DN110, 6871 brake levers and bar end shifters, and a set of 8060 levers and 9160 bar end shifters. I can install one set and sell off the others, but which? I like the asthetics of the single button bar end shifters, but worry about loosing the ability to manually shift the FD. Rationally, I realize that I rarely, if ever, shift to the small ring up front, but like knowing that I have that option. So, which would you use and why? I appreciate any and all input.
I updated my bike 2 years ago to Di2 and did the 2 button. Now that I work and build the new versions, I’m really glad I have that version. Even if I don’t want to manually control that FD, I always can. I also like the way the buttons are not simply on the ends of the extensions as it makes it far easier to have hands in comfortable positions during long rides and races. Just my opinion after working on the new ones, but I’m sure you’ll get various responses.
I updated my bike 2 years ago to Di2 and did the 2 button. Now that I work and build the new versions, I’m really glad I have that version. Even if I don’t want to manually control that FD, I always can. I also like the way the buttons are not simply on the ends of the extensions as it makes it far easier to have hands in comfortable positions during long rides and races. Just my opinion after working on the new ones, but I’m sure you’ll get various responses.
Thanks for your input. There is one thing that I am unclear on, probably more than one. I can use the two button levers/shifters, run the latest firmware so that syncroshift is an option, but maintain the ability to manually shift the FD, correct?
I did my Di2 upgrade a year-and-a-half ago, and I debated the shift buttons the whole way. I settled on the newest single-button extension and brake shifters. I fully committed to Synchro shift when I did that. But, I absolutely love Synchro. And, more than anything, I love the mindless simplicity of shifting on those single button shifters. When I am tired and focusing on the road ahead, I simply click without any extra mental energy. And I love Synchro, did I mention that?
I updated my bike 2 years ago to Di2 and did the 2 button. Now that I work and build the new versions, I’m really glad I have that version. Even if I don’t want to manually control that FD, I always can. I also like the way the buttons are not simply on the ends of the extensions as it makes it far easier to have hands in comfortable positions during long rides and races. Just my opinion after working on the new ones, but I’m sure you’ll get various responses.
Thanks for your input. There is one thing that I am unclear on, probably more than one. I can use the two button levers/shifters, run the latest firmware so that syncroshift is an option, but maintain the ability to manually shift the FD, correct?
As far as I know that is correct. I have not updated my firmware in a while as I only am on Mac, but could at the shop I work at. I hear people like the Synchro shift and I get that, but I have no issues with the 2 button and the ability to go synchro or manual FD shift. Some change it depending on the race, which would be cool if that varies much.
I can use the two button levers/shifters, run the latest firmware so that syncroshift is an option, but maintain the ability to manually shift the FD, correct?Yes, every button is individually programmable. The shifters themselves (single-button or dual-button) do not determine the overall system’s limitations, and it does not matter which location you choose to put the dual-button shifters. I could just as easily run my system in manual mode, but I would have no control over the FD, since I have all of my shift buttons configured to shift the RD.
I can use the two button levers/shifters, run the latest firmware so that syncroshift is an option, but maintain the ability to manually shift the FD, correct?Yes, every button is individually programmable. The shifters themselves (single-button or dual-button) do not determine the overall system’s limitations, and it does not matter which location you choose to put the dual-button shifters. I could just as easily run my system in manual mode, but I would have no control over the FD, since I have all of my shift buttons configured to shift the RD.
Ok, let me see if I have this straight. I could run the single button shifters, in manual mode, and shift both FD and RD? I thought that wasn’t possible. Maybe I am reading something else into your response.
Ok, let me see if I have this straight. I could run the single button shifters, in manual mode, and shift both FD and RD? I thought that wasn’t possible. Maybe I am reading something else into your response.No, you do not have enough buttons. (I assume you are asking about using single-button shifters on both the extensions and brakes.)
But technically, yes you could. You could program your extension buttons to shift the RD and program your brake buttons to shift your FD. (Or vice versa.) This would be kind of sub-optimized, because you could not shift your FD from your extensions (and vice versa). But, it could work. And, if you had access to your A Junciton, you could switch between manual and synchro on the fly if you wanted to. But, you cannot change the button mapping on the fly.
Edit: I reread your original question, and I realized that I over-answered. To more appropriately answer your original question “I can use the two button levers/shifters, run the latest firmware so that syncroshift is an option, but maintain the ability to manually shift the FD, correct?” Yes, this exactly how Di2 is designed. And this is how it works on road bikes. You have 3 mode options available that you can cycle between on the fly. So, if you installed the two-button shifters everywhere, you could toggle between manual, synchro, and semi-synchro on the fly. This would give you absolute control over everything. If you choose to install the one-button shifters everywhere, then you essentially commit to only using Synchro.
Ok, let me see if I have this straight. I could run the single button shifters, in manual mode, and shift both FD and RD? I thought that wasn’t possible. Maybe I am reading something else into your response.No, you do not have enough buttons. (I assume you are asking about using single-button shifters on both the extensions and brakes.)
But technically, yes you could. You could program your extension buttons to shift the RD and program your brake buttons to shift your FD. (Or vice versa.) This would be kind of sub-optimized, because you could not shift your FD from your extensions (and vice versa). But, it could work. And, if you had access to your A Junciton, you could switch between manual and synchro on the fly if you wanted to. But, you cannot change the button mapping on the fly.
That makes sense and is in line with what I thought that I knew. I did get excited for a minute hoping that I could manage a cool configuration where the FD could be shifted by pushing both L and R buttons at once, or something like that. Thanks for the help and answers. I’m going to stick with the two button shifters and sell off the others.
I did get excited for a minute hoping that I could manage a cool configuration where the FD could be shifted by pushing both L and R buttons at once, or something like that.This is how eTap works, and it is freakin’ awesome. I have eTap on my road bike and love it there. I would never put Di2 on a road bike because of eTap’s perfect shifting design. And by contrast, I love Synchro so much on TT, that I would never consider eTap on my TT bike.
I did get excited for a minute hoping that I could manage a cool configuration where the FD could be shifted by pushing both L and R buttons at once, or something like that.This is how eTap works, and it is freakin’ awesome. I have eTap on my road bike and love it there. I would never put Di2 on a road bike because of eTap’s perfect shifting design. And by contrast, I love Synchro so much on TT, that I would never consider eTap on my TT bike.
I use use the two button shifters on the bar ends and the basebars and use synchroshift. Although I really like the synchro shift I do really appreciate the option to manually control the FD.
I know there is a way to do it with the single buttons but I find the two-button shifters really helpful when I have to remove the rear wheel and putting the chain in the small-small combo, this combo doesn’t exist on the synchro shift map, but as I said, I think there is a way to override it with the single-buttons - I just don’t know how.
I like the simplicity of Di2 synchro single button shifting. Once you set up your preferred shifting points, it is just works. I have it paired to Garmin Edge 1030 and it send an alert (beeps) when the next gear press would change front rings. It is super helpful so I’m ready for it.
The side-benefit of having two buttons though is that you can assign other functions to them besides shifting. Like changing screens on Garmin computer. It is cool, but isn’t essential imho.
My vote is to keep it simple and go for a single button.
I recently changed, 2 months of bike, pass from etap, to a system of a button only di2, I find that in my country I like synchronized, but to go to Nice I am to put two maso buttons looking for the way to do it, because if I want to use the 32 does not allow me with the big plate, since I lower the fd, but I love in the day to day the simple of the system.
you need to be able to use it manually by pressing both, hopefully one day that update arrives, or leaving tight time to change the FD
One button on each extension, same for the brake levers. I have mine set up as shifting on the “left” side of the bike to pedal easier, while shifting on the right side of the bike to pedal faster. During a race it is one less thing to think about.
Here is a pic of my extensions with a single button:
I like the simplicity of Di2 synchro single button shifting. Once you set up your preferred shifting points, it is just works. I have it paired to Garmin Edge 1030 and it send an alert (beeps) when the next gear press would change front rings. It is super helpful so I’m ready for it.
The side-benefit of having two buttons though is that you can assign other functions to them besides shifting. Like changing screens on Garmin computer. It is cool, but isn’t essential imho.
My vote is to keep it simple and go for a single button.
This is where I struggle. I like the simplicity and clean looking install of the single button but also like the options and flexibility of the two button. Decisions, decisions.
Another option is to go 2 button (on each side) on the horns, then do single button out on the extensions.
I like the simplicity of Di2 synchro single button shifting. Once you set up your preferred shifting points, it is just works. I have it paired to Garmin Edge 1030 and it send an alert (beeps) when the next gear press would change front rings. It is super helpful so I’m ready for it.
The side-benefit of having two buttons though is that you can assign other functions to them besides shifting. Like changing screens on Garmin computer. It is cool, but isn’t essential imho.
My vote is to keep it simple and go for a single button.
This is where I struggle. I like the simplicity and clean looking install of the single button but also like the options and flexibility of the two button. Decisions, decisions.
One button on each extension, same for the brake levers. I have mine set up as shifting on the “left” side of the bike to pedal easier, while shifting on the right side of the bike to pedal faster. During a race it is one less thing to think about.
Here is a pic of my extensions with a single button:
