Electronic shifting advice

nickyhoward55
nickyhoward55 Posts: 148
edited May 2013 in Road buying advice
Hi folks,

I have full 105 on my cube, is it possible to change the shifters/derailleurs to Di2 and add in the battery and 'brain' while keeping my 10sp crank/cassette/chain/brakes etc from my 105 gear?

Thanks

Comments

  • philwint
    philwint Posts: 763
    I cant imagine why not
  • schlepcycling
    schlepcycling Posts: 1,614
    Yep, that's what I did. Bought the Di2 shift kit off eBay and kept the rest of the 105 groupset....works a treat.
    'Hello to Jason Isaacs'
  • nickyhoward55
    nickyhoward55 Posts: 148
    Yep, that's what I did. Bought the Di2 shift kit off eBay and kept the rest of the 105 groupset....works a treat.

    Sweet, what do you think to it?
  • jameses
    jameses Posts: 653
    Where does Brian sit?
  • nickyhoward55
    nickyhoward55 Posts: 148
    JamesEs wrote:
    Where does Brian sit?

    Well spotted sir. Have a prize.
  • Mccaria
    Mccaria Posts: 869
    I am pretty sure Cycling Weekly did put together and review a mixed 105/Di2 groupset, very much as you are proposing, when Di2 first came out. From memory they said it worked absolutely fine. Their aim was to put together the cheapest electronic group that was fully functional.
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    Hi folks,

    I have full 105 on my cube, is it possible to change the shifters/derailleurs to Di2 and add in the battery and 'brain' while keeping my 10sp crank/cassette/chain/brakes etc from my 105 gear?

    Thanks

    You're still talking over £800 as you have to change front and rear mech, and the shifters as well as installing all the cabling etc. http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/gsd/road- ... SHE&bike=1

    tbh it's only a couple of hundred more to go full Ultegra so you aren't saving much.
  • Bar Shaker
    Bar Shaker Posts: 2,313
    You can use Di2 with any Shimano/SRAM 10 speed cogset. I use it with a SRAM Force drivetrain.

    With some programming, it could potentially be possible to use it with Campy cogs.

    It is sublime.
    Boardman Elite SLR 9.2S
    Boardman FS Pro
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    Bar Shaker wrote:
    You can use Di2 with any Shimano/SRAM 10 speed cogset. I use it with a SRAM Force drivetrain.

    With some programming, it could potentially be possible to use it with Campy cogs.

    It is sublime.

    Is it really that much better than manual Ultegra? Even 105 shifting on the rear is pretty spot on - front shifting I grant you could be better. I just wonder if you have £1,000 to spend it could be put to a lot of things before Di2?
  • Bar Shaker
    Bar Shaker Posts: 2,313
    Bar Shaker wrote:
    You can use Di2 with any Shimano/SRAM 10 speed cogset. I use it with a SRAM Force drivetrain.

    With some programming, it could potentially be possible to use it with Campy cogs.

    It is sublime.

    Is it really that much better than manual Ultegra? Even 105 shifting on the rear is pretty spot on - front shifting I grant you could be better. I just wonder if you have £1,000 to spend it could be put to a lot of things before Di2?

    It is the perfect gear shift every time, even when climbing and the drivetrain is fully loaded, irrespective of how cold/tired/wet your fingers are. Difficult to put a price on.

    I suspect that I am changing gear a lot more than I used to, as it is just the click of a micro switch.

    I really like it.

    Beardies on steel bikes hate it.
    Boardman Elite SLR 9.2S
    Boardman FS Pro
  • Bar Shaker wrote:

    I suspect that I am changing gear a lot more than I used to, as it is just the click of a micro switch.

    That's either poor riding technique or lack of fitness.
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • schlepcycling
    schlepcycling Posts: 1,614
    Yep, that's what I did. Bought the Di2 shift kit off eBay and kept the rest of the 105 groupset....works a treat.

    Sweet, what do you think to it?
    It works really well, mine is the original 10 speed Dura Ace Di2 from 2010 and I've not had any issues with it so far even riding it through the winter the shirting has been faultless and I've not had any battery issues either. Since I first set it up I replaced the 105 chainset with Power2max Rotor 3d power cranks and it still shifts as sweetly as before.
    'Hello to Jason Isaacs'
  • schlepcycling
    schlepcycling Posts: 1,614
    Mccaria wrote:
    I am pretty sure Cycling Weekly did put together and review a mixed 105/Di2 groupset, very much as you are proposing, when Di2 first came out. From memory they said it worked absolutely fine. Their aim was to put together the cheapest electronic group that was fully functional.
    This article was my inspiration for doing my set up which is exactly this 10 speed Dura Ace Di2 mixed mixed with 105.
    'Hello to Jason Isaacs'
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    That's either poor riding technique or lack of fitness.

    Why? Isn't the idea to keep your power output constant and use the gears to vary your road speed?
  • Bar Shaker
    Bar Shaker Posts: 2,313
    That's either poor riding technique or lack of fitness.

    Why? Isn't the idea to keep your power output constant and use the gears to vary your road speed?

    My thoughts too Mark.

    I was once told by a cycling coach that good pro riders are always asking themselves if changing to another gear would give them an advantage, rather than waiting until they need to change.
    Boardman Elite SLR 9.2S
    Boardman FS Pro
  • spasypaddy
    spasypaddy Posts: 5,180
    i have di2 on two bikes.

    cant see myself buying a mechanical groupset again
  • redcard
    redcard Posts: 15
    Bar Shaker wrote:

    I suspect that I am changing gear a lot more than I used to, as it is just the click of a micro switch.

    That's either poor riding technique or lack of fitness.

    Absolute nonsense.

    Never mind the fact that you have no idea how often he changed gear before or after.
  • on-yer-bike
    on-yer-bike Posts: 2,974
    Batteries on bikes – not necessary except for lights. Funny how you pay more for a wrist watch without batteries. Interesting how many gear problems in this years Giro.
    Pegoretti
    Colnago
    Cervelo
    Campagnolo