Ultegra Di2 Upgrade, worth the money?

Mendip rouleur
Posts: 163
I have regular ultegra groupset on my bike (a Madone 5.2), and am toying with upgrading to Di2, have been quoted around £1000 to upgrade just the new bits (ie keeping my chainset, cassette, new shifters, front/rear mech etc.) or around £1400 for the full groupset. My cassette is fairly new, and the chainset is a bit battered but essentially in serviceable state.
Two questions:
1. Is Di2 significantly better than "manual" ultegra, so that I will notice better and consistently improved shifting. (I do around 6-7K miles, pa)?
2. Is is a false economy to only get the "extra bits" and would I be better off upgrading the whole groupset now?
Any other thoughts & comments welcome
Thanks
Two questions:
1. Is Di2 significantly better than "manual" ultegra, so that I will notice better and consistently improved shifting. (I do around 6-7K miles, pa)?
2. Is is a false economy to only get the "extra bits" and would I be better off upgrading the whole groupset now?
Any other thoughts & comments welcome
Thanks
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Comments
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Depending on how attached you are to the Madone, i'd be tempted on selling that, and buying a new bike equipped with Di2.
If you have £1,400 to spend on a groupset, you can add the money from selling your bike and easily get a decent Di2 bike. Just a thought?0 -
Guys... seriously, the Di2 "revolution" really is hype. It is NO WAY worth the money over conventional 6700 or 7900. No way at all.
I have ridden it, it shifts very slightly better than normal 6700 or 7900, but hardly noticeable as well set up Shimano cable gears are just soooo good now. The only "improvement" as such is the light action of the buttons, but personally I actually prefer the positive mechanical feeling of normal shifters.
I could have got Di2 but preferred 7900 and spent the rest on wheels!
And the thought of having to "charge my bike's battery" is just silly. Almost as silly as the battery looks on the bike IMHO.0 -
I would wait a year or two for the market to settle down. The new ultegra has just started its obsolescence with the announcement of dura ace 11 speed next year. Just as the existing dura ace was rendered obsolescent by this years two wire ultegra?0
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The upgrade kit is all you need.
The shifting is consistently better.
Whether you could get better upgrades for the money is for you to decide.
There will always be another update around the corner, so I don't subscribe to the "wait till it calms down" approach, if you want it, get it.0 -
Only a fool buys anything before version 3
© anyone who's worked with technology, anywhere, ever ;-)0 -
Mendip, sorry if this isn't helpful but have you tried a set of Firecrest 404s? I did for the first time on a ride last weekend and was absolutely blown away, I've only ever had high-spec clinchers: top of the line Ardennes and DA CL24s. The speed advantage of the 404s was incredible. You need to be going >40kph to really see the benefits but they really felt zippy and pushing 45 kph was much easier than with low pro rims.
Just 2p in case you're on the fence.When a cyclist has a disagreement with a car; it's not who's right, it's who's left.0 -
With regard to obselecence, the E Tube system in the Ultegra takes firmware updates and can be set to 8, 9, 10 11 ... whatever speed you happen to be running because the shift increment is not governed by a mechanical shifting indexed lever, its an electronic signal that decides how far the mech moves on each shift.
This also allows other cool features such as standard single shifting or sequential jumps - i.e. you hold the button longer than a "momentary" shift and it jumps a preset say 3 ratios up or down or 5 or 10 - whatever you set in the software.
I have just bought a new Ridley Excalibur at a hugely discounted price ( less than the cost of a drive train only Ultegra upgrade ! ) The difference I have noticed in change speed and assured changing is incredible - and I have been riding / racing for 35 years !
Yes the battery looks silly - yes they charge a fortune for cables and other necessary parts - and annoyingly the Ultegra was not released with TT shifters and the older Dura Ace shifters are not compatible - so alienating a massive segment of the cycling racing and triathlon scene. However we are told these are on their way.
If everyone sat on the fence and did not embrace new technology we wouldn't be seeing full carbon framed bikes at the price they are nowadays - deep rimmed aero wheels ? - tri bars ? , clipless pedals ?? - we'd still all be on steel framed down tube friction shifting toe clipped "vintage" machines .....
Electronic shifting, when cheap enough, will be on the majority of all bikes - wonder who then will prefer a nice mechanical feeling drive train knowing of the constant tweaking and adjustment needed - the fear of yet more increases in freewheel technology leaving last years 10 or 11 speed redundant - not to mention the cos of replacing cables 2 or 3 times a season ( assuming they haven't snapped at some point ) !
If you can afford a Di2 system - get it !0 -
It does shift well but it looks shite, you can have a cracking looking frame ruined by the look of Ultegra Di2 i'd wait for the next gen and hopefully it won't look like some sixth former has whipped it together in his shed.
Shimano seem to have got their act together with the new Dura-ace so it should get passed down the groupsets.0 -
Don't do it.
Look at the rear derailer - Tonka would produce a more subtle looking bit of kit.
Defo one of the worst pieces of design I have seen on a bike.
It does work, but so too does your existing group set.
Peter0 -
The first thing I upgraded on my madone 5.2 was the wheels to Da7900 C24, they made a lot of difference with Gp4000S.
I have regular Ultegra on this one and 105 on another, gears work well, i can't believe changing gear any quicker would offer much benefit to me.0 -
I'd say yes, having recently gone back to mechanical 6700 after 6 months on 6770 I realised how much I love the di2.
It works so much better than mechanical. My 6700 is now sold and 6770 going on bike 2.0 -
Personally I went DA 7900 on my current bike and am planning to make the switch when I change the bike in 3 yrs ish time. Electronic is the future but I normally wait for 3rd or 4th gen before diving in unless there's a compelling advantage.0
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I'm considering whether to swap at the moment from ultegra to ultegra di2. But would some carbon wheels be more beneficial?0
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I got a Di2 equipped Rose for £1,850 so not much more than you've been quoted for a full groupset. Has Ksyrium Elites as well.
I like it but it feels like a bit of a toy/indulgence.
I've got 6600 on my commuter and still it shifts really well despite about 6,000 miles on filthy roads.
Not worth spending £1,400 on in my opinion.0 -
Given the marginal improvement and how hideous it looks (especially with external routing) I'd say no way is it worth paying a grand for, I'd agree with the advice above about buying a new bike with it already on if you're desperate for it.0
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FransJacques wrote:Mendip, sorry if this isn't helpful but have you tried a set of Firecrest 404s? I did for the first time on a ride last weekend and was absolutely blown away, I've only ever had high-spec clinchers: top of the line Ardennes and DA CL24s. The speed advantage of the 404s was incredible. You need to be going >40kph to really see the benefits but they really felt zippy and pushing 45 kph was much easier than with low pro rims.
Just 2p in case you're on the fence.
This. Or you could buy another bike for £1400!0 -
I have the same dilemma at the moment - I'm thinking maybe to go for carbon lighter wheels instead!!0
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Full groupset for £1000
http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/r ... upset.html
buy that then spend the £50 on a mechanic to install it all.
keep chain and cassette until old one wears out. sell old brakes and chainset off to make a bit of a profit (compared to what you were going to spend)BMC TM01 - FCN 0
Look 695 (Geared) - FCN 1
Bowman Palace:R - FCN 1
Cannondale CAAD 9 - FCN 2
Premier (CX) - FCN 6
Premier (fixed/SS) - FCN30 -
spasypaddy wrote:Full groupset for £1000
http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/r ... upset.html
buy that then spend the £50 on a mechanic to install it all.
keep chain and cassette until old one wears out. sell old brakes and chainset off to make a bit of a profit (compared to what you were going to spend)
I ordered a few weeks ago from Merlin the upgrade kit. Not showing on their site now but was £699 all in. Sold the DA FD/RD/STI's on here.
Absolutely love the difference and although admittedly I am still at the novelty stage wouldn't go back to manual gears.0 -
spasypaddy wrote:Full groupset for £1000
http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/r ... upset.html
buy that then spend the £50 on a mechanic to install it all.
keep chain and cassette until old one wears out. sell old brakes and chainset off to make a bit of a profit (compared to what you were going to spend)
I ordered a few weeks ago from Merlin the upgrade kit. Not showing on their site now but was £699 all in. Sold the DA FD/RD/STI's on here.
Absolutely love the difference and although admittedly I am still at the novelty stage wouldn't go back to manual gears.0 -
Chris Boardman, was asked about electronic gears, and in reply asked, "does it make you ride faster, and is it lighter". However, I'll bet in a couple of years it'll be on his range of bikes!
Personally I think it's just marketing, both Shimano and Campag have got to such a stage in groupset development that they had nowhere else to go, why on earth would you spend thousands on kit that is heavier than your current setup. Bet they're rubbing their hands together...........0 -
Flasher wrote:Chris Boardman, was asked about electronic gears, and in reply asked, "does it make you ride faster, and is it lighter". However, I'll bet in a couple of years it'll be on his range of bikes!
They already are on a couple of the new AiR and SLR bikes.0 -
MoscowFlyer wrote:Flasher wrote:Chris Boardman, was asked about electronic gears, and in reply asked, "does it make you ride faster, and is it lighter". However, I'll bet in a couple of years it'll be on his range of bikes!
They already are on a couple of the new AiR and SLR bikes.
Money talks I guess.0 -
I wouldnt say the whole groupset is worth the money but just the shifter groupset is, and its a lot cheaper, can be had for £650-700 if you shop about.
Ive had Sora, Tiagra, 105, Ultegra over the years, had just the Di2 gearing installed last year and i wouldn't go back to a cable system for love nor money.
Im not against anyone who prefers cable, but just because you do doesnt mean that there isnt a place for Di2. You can't knock all the reviews on it that say its outstanding and the way everything will eventually go, the reviews are always positive. There will always be people who dont like change, just look at all the people who bought Betamax when Video came out...or records when CDs came out, you will always have that initial reaction towards it but generally it comes from protecting their investment. People dont like the idea of having put money into something to then be told its been improved, they naturally get protective of it.
Fact is Di2 works. And it works everywhere. Try changing from the small cog to the big cog whilst out of the saddle on a hill, your gearing wont like it but Di2 just shifts. But the best thing about Di2 is that it lets you concentrate on what you should be doing, looking at the road ahead, planning, because you hit the button it shifts. You dont have that uncertainty of 'has it shifted?", or "did that just shift 2 cogs or only the one?" and no matter how many people here say their cable system is great, i can guarantee they have all thought that at some point or worried if their front mech needs adjusting because its chain rubbing. With Di2, its shift and forget, there's none of that mental worry thats always there with cable gearing and after a few rides you realise the beauty of it.
Would i go back to cable to experience all those questions again?
Would i feck!0 -
Flasher wrote:Chris Boardman, was asked about electronic gears, and in reply asked, "does it make you ride faster, and is it lighter". However, I'll bet in a couple of years it'll be on his range of bikes!
Personally I think it's just marketing, both Shimano and Campag have got to such a stage in groupset development that they had nowhere else to go, why on earth would you spend thousands on kit that is heavier than your current setup. Bet they're rubbing their hands together...........
If your only argument is the 'weight' issue then you dont have an argument at all. I love the way so many people on here say 'oh.its a few hundred grams heavier.." without thinking of the outcome of their argument.
The weight issue might affect the Pro peloton, but it doesnt affect me or you, i can bet you've gone for a ride with the best part of 2lbs worth of shjte in your bowels, yet you worry about a few grams on a groupset? On an hour long ride you can lose a couple of pound in sweat alone, so again, you worry about a few hundred grams on a groupset?
Its simply not an argument to use weight as the reason to not get Di2.
You are forgetting one simple fact. If the weight of a few hundred grams adds..oooh the best part of 8 seconds over a 60 mile ride, then i can counter that those 8 seconds can be had back with crisp gear changes (as opposed to cable) a faster riding speed overall due to better gear changes and the lack of worry about wether your gear change actually worked.
If the marketing has worked anywhere its in the fact its convinced you that a few grams and 'weight' makes all the difference. So i think its you thats been 'marketed'0 -
EPO Delivery Man wrote:Try changing from the small cog to the big cog whilst out of the saddle on a hill,
I'm out0 -
ShutUpLegs wrote:EPO Delivery Man wrote:Try changing from the small cog to the big cog whilst out of the saddle on a hill,
I'm out
And why is that 'oh wise one'? :roll:0 -
Bad gear selection, but agreed Di2 can compensate for a lot if needed.0
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izza wrote:spasypaddy wrote:Full groupset for £1000
http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/r ... upset.html
buy that then spend the £50 on a mechanic to install it all.
keep chain and cassette until old one wears out. sell old brakes and chainset off to make a bit of a profit (compared to what you were going to spend)
I ordered a few weeks ago from Merlin the upgrade kit. Not showing on their site now but was £699 all in. Sold the DA FD/RD/STI's on here.
Absolutely love the difference and although admittedly I am still at the novelty stage wouldn't go back to manual gears.BMC TM01 - FCN 0
Look 695 (Geared) - FCN 1
Bowman Palace:R - FCN 1
Cannondale CAAD 9 - FCN 2
Premier (CX) - FCN 6
Premier (fixed/SS) - FCN30 -
ShutUpLegs wrote:Bad gear selection, but agreed Di2 can compensate for a lot if needed.
Thats the only point im making.0