Electric or mechanical

Matt_as

Can I ask who here would choose to buy Ultegra Di2 over mechanical Dura Ace or vice versa and why?
Thanks
Matt

Evil Laugh

I'd take di2 any day of the week.

Just built a "winter" bike with 6700 ultegra and now realise just how much I prefer di2. The ergonomics, the shifting is so much better. Love the light action on the di2 and the ability to shift from new hand positions that I can't with mechanical. Can't wait to fit the "sprint" buttons.

Would now have it on all my bikes if funds allowed.

Matt_as

Thanks
Is it easy to maintain the Di2? I am pretty good with bikes but have never done anything with Di2 other than press the buttons in shops.

freddiegrubb

I rode Di2 in my lbs.(turbo ) it was a cracking experience, if you have the cash why not? But,& it is a big one ,is simpler better? what can go wrong with mechanical - the pull cable can snap thats about as ride stopping as it can get, with electronics who knows ? You pays your money!!!!!!

Bozman

Dura-ace mech. Ultegra Di2 looks like shite, it's as if someone has whipped it up in their garage but having tried it, it's good but i'll stay mechanical until they make the thing look a little better.

greasedscotsman

Can I not buy mechanical Ultegra and something else? Maybe another pair of wheels?

cougie

I think I'd go with mechanical DA. I've seen people having problems with their DI2 - ok its a small number (but then again its not that widespread either) - but I'm struggling to think if my mechanical kit has ever let me down ? :?:

mike6

I would be very interested to hear from electronic shifter owners. I know most of the opinions will be positive, no one likes to feel they have not made a smart purchase. I can understand that. But, what are the benefits? What about roadside mechanicals? How do they cope with wet weather?
I have read the reviews regarding automatic trimming, and that sounds good, but what is the reality regarding maintaining the system?

bigpikle

if there was a Di2 that wasnt pig ugly and spoiled the look of the bike then I'd have that in a flash - for now I'll stick with DA and Red

Matt_as

Thanks for the replies. I am undecided and agree that Ultegra Di2 is ugly. There is also the fact that Dura Ace has gone 11 spd which may mean if I buy Ultegra or any other 10spd Shimano will it just change to 11spd in a year and leave me behind.

mallorcajeff

ive got DA di2 and its amazing, it just does not go wrong. I jave had a fair few probs in the past and soley bought di2 so i did not have any and i have not. Maintenance is very very easy and setting up the gears is very easy and you can adjust every gear individually while riding in seconds. I love it but lots that say they dont have never ridden it. As for the looks of it I dont look at it when Im ridign too busy looking where im going not that i think its ugly? its some gears on a bike I have no idea how any can be good or bad looking its some metal and plastic? each to their own. I have tried the Ultegra version in a shop and have to say their is very little in it. the front change is slightly slower but thats all. it has a cheaper "feel" to it but thats all i noticed. I fell off it the other day and it went into crash mode, put the chain back on helf the button down for 5 secs and it skips through all the gears automatically and then your good to go again, like a reboot. My next bike will be electric again for sure. best thing as its you thats riding it is forget everything you read on here go ride both and pick which you prefer simple as that.

stueys

It's the future but not yet for me. Bike I bought this year was mechanical DA, my next bike will be electric. Gives them another 2 or 3 generations to get the kinks out.

DavidJB

Just brought a bike with Ultegra DI and should get it in a few weeks then will compare with mechanical ultegra and report back.

il_principe

Ok, not Shimano but I've been running Record EPS since May and am very very pleased with it. Battery lasts for ages, shifting is smooth and perfect. I've had a few niggles getting it setup and trimmed, but now I know how, it's really very easy.

Riding my Chorus equipped bike feels very odd now! I also happen to think that EPS looks a lot nicer than Di2. Has the OP considered Athena EPS?

Anyway, I'll not be going back to mechanical.

FransJacques

If you ride on the road in warmish weather, have the cash, are worried about keeping up with the Jonses, and don't mind - like for like - a heavier bike then go with electric. Besides the cost, weight and faddish aspects of it (let's face it, it's a bit over-hyped at the moment), if you are crap at looking after your indexing then electric could be for you b/c it self adjusts which is a real boon to folks who are all thumbs with tools. As is well documented the battery life aspect is a non-issue. Also, some people above don't realize that it does NOT shift into 39x12 as a mechanichal set up would if the cables broke. Di2 either stays in the gear it was in when the battery died or you can choose a "get me home" if it's better than the one you're in.

It also features a "break-away" catch to reduce damage to it in th event of a crash which mechanical doesn't have.

northpole

Shimano are in the process of introducing 11 speed groupsets so it will be interesting to see what the new Di range looks like, as well as the mech versions.

On the current showing, I have to say that the Ultegra rear derailer is one of the worst looking bike components I have ever come across. That alone would rule it out of being allowed anywhere near my bike. My commuter bike has dura-ace 7800 generation and it has performed faultlessly since 2007 and it is used most days. I have never had to adjust the gears during that period which is astonishing. What the mech version lacks is any means of trimming the front derailer which I can do on my Campag equipped bike. Rarely need it though.

So, for now, I would go mechanical with the two groupsets you have mentioned.

Peter

BBH

Looks like it is a 50/50 split with valid reasoning. I am following this thread with interest as I am finding I enjoy riding my caad 10 with 105 more than my s2 with red/force mix, not based on the frame, but purely on the shifting as its so much smoother and easier with shimano cf with sram, and the front shifting with sram - don't get me started (although I do re-index all the time!).

I really would go with what you want atm, both are excellent shifting and reliable, both are similarly priced atm (I assume you are looking at 7900), so price is not really an issue. Both will be upgraded and will change with time and so you will have to expect that. That leaves aesthetics and weight issues. Good luck whatever you choose, just make sure you don't go for the option that leaves you thinking what if!!