Di2 or not to Di2
goonz
Posts: 3,106
Morning all how are we?
I am posing this question as I am currently drawing up a shortlist of bikes that I will eventually choose my dream/best bike from.
I have a fair idea of what I want and I have set a budget of £4k no more, but can obviously be less.
I know I want carbon and ideally full Dura Ace or its equivalent. Firstly I am not even sure if this is possible in that price range but I am not looking to buy this anytime soon so a lot can change in that time. I also want to consider Di2 or its equivalent as if this is my best bike then I may aswell pull out all the stops.
My question to you: Is Di2 worth it and where are its main benefits? What sort of riding would it suit best? And is it even possible to find a bike with Di2 upto £4k?
My heart is set on one of but not limited to Cannondale Supersix, Focus Izalco, Scott CR1/Foil and perhaps a Ridley (not sure what model yet).
As ever thanking you.
I am posing this question as I am currently drawing up a shortlist of bikes that I will eventually choose my dream/best bike from.
I have a fair idea of what I want and I have set a budget of £4k no more, but can obviously be less.
I know I want carbon and ideally full Dura Ace or its equivalent. Firstly I am not even sure if this is possible in that price range but I am not looking to buy this anytime soon so a lot can change in that time. I also want to consider Di2 or its equivalent as if this is my best bike then I may aswell pull out all the stops.
My question to you: Is Di2 worth it and where are its main benefits? What sort of riding would it suit best? And is it even possible to find a bike with Di2 upto £4k?
My heart is set on one of but not limited to Cannondale Supersix, Focus Izalco, Scott CR1/Foil and perhaps a Ridley (not sure what model yet).
As ever thanking you.
Scott Speedster S20 Roadie for Speed
Specialized Hardrock MTB for Lumps
Specialized Langster SS for Ease
Cinelli Mash Bolt Fixed for Pain
n+1 is well and truly on track
Strava http://app.strava.com/athletes/1608875
Specialized Hardrock MTB for Lumps
Specialized Langster SS for Ease
Cinelli Mash Bolt Fixed for Pain
n+1 is well and truly on track
Strava http://app.strava.com/athletes/1608875
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Comments
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Tbh on here all you will get are loads of people will arguing. I would suggest you just go and try before you buy. Go get a test ride on something if you can.0
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You get bikes of under 2k with Di2, 4k is a lot of money for a bike.Smarter than the average bear.0
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It doesn't make a massive difference to a well set up mechanical groupset. I recently swapped 6770 on to replace 7900 - just because I fancied it... added about 200g but it looks cool and is a bit crisper so I'm happy. I still have 7800 on another bike and I'm happy with that. The only big difference for me is changing up to the big ring is less effort as you don't need to do a big sweep.0
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As others have said, go for a test ride and decide.I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles0
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I tried Di2 in Mallorca and loved the way it worked, BUT, would only buy it if the battery were integrated, otherwise it looks pants....0
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I was coming from SRAM to Di2 so a short ride would not have convinced me that it was worth having. It took me a while to get used it. I opted for it as some friends that race have switched to it and love it. I also spoke to fellow club riders who rave about it. I then read all the reviews I could find and they all raved about it, too.
Having now done a few hundred miles on it, I am used to it and all of my friends and all of the reviews were right... it is superb.
Mechanical doesn't compare, no matter what groupset, less so on the rear perhaps but massively on the front. With Di2 you can change all you want, even when out of the saddle and on the power (even though that feels wrong) and you just can't easily do that with mechanical shifters. Rear changes are inaudible and you just feel a change in pedal resistance. At first you will keep looking down to see if it has actually changed.
The other big benefit is that because you have no cables to stretch, it will never go out of being perfectly indexed.
It's not cheap but £4k will buy you something very nice with Di2.
Enjoy.Boardman Elite SLR 9.2S
Boardman FS Pro0 -
Thanks Bar Shaker, just reading your post got me excited about getting it!
I hear there will soon be bikes with hidden batteries, this will be interesting and make things look aesthetically better.Scott Speedster S20 Roadie for Speed
Specialized Hardrock MTB for Lumps
Specialized Langster SS for Ease
Cinelli Mash Bolt Fixed for Pain
n+1 is well and truly on track
Strava http://app.strava.com/athletes/16088750 -
I've never heard of anybody claiming that Di2 looks cool, it probably has the worst looking derailleurs of all time, it may work well but it's asthetically poor and can ruin the look of a quality bike.0
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antfly wrote:You get bikes of under 2k with Di2, 4k is a lot of money for a bike.
This is the max I will pay for a bike so I could buy one for less if lucky and use the rest for wheels etc.Scott Speedster S20 Roadie for Speed
Specialized Hardrock MTB for Lumps
Specialized Langster SS for Ease
Cinelli Mash Bolt Fixed for Pain
n+1 is well and truly on track
Strava http://app.strava.com/athletes/16088750 -
I have dura ace 7900. Few things
Mechanical is light, and electric is heavy, no matter what some say, it is noticeable on climbs especially long ones. this, it isn't the biggest weight you'll notice ie wheels ect, and given your budget weight isn't going to be a issue
Try before you buy!
But mechanical is near perfect on rear (setup ofc) its only the front your notice it, and in the rain (heavy rain I do wish I have electric but are you going to cycle in heavy rain Lol? Be honest)
Budget is too much through, save for kit, that will easily come in around 300 given you want top stuff.London2Brighton Challange 100k!
http://www.justgiving.com/broxbourne-runners0 -
There was a recent thread on this for someone who was about to buy the top of the line Canyon.
I would go hidden battery DI 9070 or mechanical 9000 as I think it looks gorgeous (except for the battery!).
I don't like Campy thumbshifters and dont know SRAM.
The funny thing is that it could swallow a lot of budget I'd like to put into a nice frame and wheels. My dream build would be an SL4 or the Foil equivalent. I'd happily go 7900/7800 or even 6700 to get a set of nice stiff handbuilts too.0 -
blablablacksheep wrote:I have dura ace 7900. Few things
Mechanical is light, and electric is heavy, no matter what some say, it is noticeable on climbs especially long ones. this, it isn't the biggest weight you'll notice ie wheels ect, and given your budget weight isn't going to be a issue
Try before you buy!
But mechanical is near perfect on rear (setup ofc) its only the front your notice it, and in the rain (heavy rain I do wish I have electric but are you going to cycle in heavy rain Lol? Be honest)
Budget is too much through, save for kit, that will easily come in around 300 given you want top stuff.
It's 50g heavier than the DA cable installation.
I can live with that.Boardman Elite SLR 9.2S
Boardman FS Pro0 -
Di2 is fantastic when it works but can be a massive pain in the arse when it goes wrong.0
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MoscowFlyer wrote:Di2 is fantastic when it works but can be a massive pain in the ars* when it goes wrong.Scott Speedster S20 Roadie for Speed
Specialized Hardrock MTB for Lumps
Specialized Langster SS for Ease
Cinelli Mash Bolt Fixed for Pain
n+1 is well and truly on track
Strava http://app.strava.com/athletes/16088750 -
Well it doesn't necessarily mean it 'will' go wrong but I think it's inevitable that things will happen from time to time. I've just got the ache because I spent 90 minutes in the bike shop this morning while they changed one cable so I'm still a bit miffed by it. My Di2 was fine on Sunday night, yet when I got on the bike this morning it was completely dead and a battery charge did nothing. Turns out the unit that the battery and cable clip into had completely died and needed replacing (after less than 500 miles ridden) which was straightforward enough. The loose cable however, well the internal cabling can be a nightmare to sort out depending on the manufacturer (Cube for example have not made it easy...) and it took forever for them to be able to get to the junction box to switch it over.
Thankfully I'd left it in a fairly reasonable gear after my last ride so despite having to ride it fixed for 13 miles, it wasn't too bad.0 -
Bar Shaker wrote:blablablacksheep wrote:I have dura ace 7900. Few things
Mechanical is light, and electric is heavy, no matter what some say, it is noticeable on climbs especially long ones. this, it isn't the biggest weight you'll notice ie wheels ect, and given your budget weight isn't going to be a issue
Try before you buy!
But mechanical is near perfect on rear (setup ofc) its only the front your notice it, and in the rain (heavy rain I do wish I have electric but are you going to cycle in heavy rain Lol? Be honest)
Budget is too much through, save for kit, that will easily come in around 300 given you want top stuff.
It's 50g heavier than the DA cable installation.
I can live with that.
I thought the new Di2 was just a tad lighter than the mechanical, mainly due to much lighter shifters. You give some back on the mechs and the battery, but still..........0 -
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bmc ... e-ec031059
If anyone is interested on sale at the moment. Sadly for me, I need to save up for a few years before my dream comes true.Scott Speedster S20 Roadie for Speed
Specialized Hardrock MTB for Lumps
Specialized Langster SS for Ease
Cinelli Mash Bolt Fixed for Pain
n+1 is well and truly on track
Strava http://app.strava.com/athletes/16088750 -
Oh. I thought you had four grand to spend.Smarter than the average bear.0
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antfly wrote:Oh. I thought you had four grand to spend.
He was dreaming?I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles0 -
Well if it's not for a few years that you can buy your dream bike, i'd wake up now as things may have changed in that time0
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Can someone please show me a bike with Dura Ace Di2 for under £2000. The groupset is over £2000 retail so I'd love to see the bike! Personally, my next bike will have Ui2. Ultegra on my current S-Works is bullet proof and I love the seamless shifting of Ui2 along with the auto trim on the front derailleur. Ultegra Ui2 is around £1000+ so I wouldn't want a £2000 bike with it.
If you buy a bike where the groupset is the most expensive part, you will have a very disappointing experience. It's all about frame and wheels.0 -
Those rear mechs are fugly thoughI'm sorry you don't believe in miracles0
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And Charlize Theron has ugly ankles.
Then again, I don't recall ever looking at a bike and thinking "wow, what a beautiful rear mech"Boardman Elite SLR 9.2S
Boardman FS Pro0 -
How about this for the epitome of style (without rear mech)
I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles0 -
The front mechs look shite too, it's as if someone's screwed half a brick to their frame.0
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blablablacksheep wrote:I have dura ace 7900. Few things
Mechanical is light, and electric is heavy, no matter what some say, it is noticeable on climbs especially long ones. this, it isn't the biggest weight you'll notice ie wheels ect, and given your budget weight isn't going to be a issue
Try before you buy!
But mechanical is near perfect on rear (setup ofc) its only the front your notice it, and in the rain (heavy rain I do wish I have electric but are you going to cycle in heavy rain Lol? Be honest)
Budget is too much through, save for kit, that will easily come in around 300 given you want top stuff.
Can you really notice that little bit of extra weight going up a hill? I think the marketing men have got to you.
Shame to put batteries on a bike tho, in some ways its a step backwards.Pegoretti
Colnago
Cervelo
Campagnolo0 -
DA9000 is so smooth and light that it makes Di2 unnecessary.
Road Bike = mechanical (preferably 9000)
TT Bike = Di2English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg0 -
Grill,
Do you have any photos of the set up for your plasma? I've just fitted the internal battery for my road bike and now looking to start a project putting di2 on my plasma..0 -
I don't currently run Di2 on my TT bike- that's a project for next winter!
Which frameset are you using? Plamsa 3, Plasma 2, or Plasma 2 ISP?English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg0 -
Plasma2 with ISP.
Upgrade project is to fit ultegra di2 ( I have the battery) so I need new tt shifters, rd, fd , junction box and cable set.0