Is di2 worth it?

ben@31

I'm looking at buying a groupset for a frame I've just bought.

I'm torn between buying Ultegra 6800 and Ultegra 6870 di2.

With my old bike I've been frustrated by it's mechanical groupset (an old Tiagra group) needing to be frequently adjusted and serviced. Sometimes it seemed to loose it's indexing or just making a grinding gear change. Recently I've had to nurse the gear into place by giving the lever another tweek afterwards. I've got the bike serviced at a LBS just for it to revert back to grind mode. So you can imagine I find the di2's gear change appealing.

However, I don't find the price appealing.

Ultegra di2 is almost twice the price. Is it really worth such a huge difference? Would the 6800 mechanical groupset still need to be frequently serviced / re-indexed or will be be less troublesome than my Tiagra?

swj1

Yes.

Most people that have it will tell you the same, those that don't or have not used will advise against but for me I will never go back to mechanical.

giant_man

ben@31 wrote:

However, I don't find the price appealing.

You don't say ....

sloppyschleckonds

I wouldn't bother unless going dura ace

DKay

I have 6700 mechanical on one bike and 6870 Di2 on another.

There is no reason as to why your Tiagra groupset should have needed constant attention, so something must have been amiss with it. Correctly setup, a mechnical setup should only need the odd tweak here and there and 6800 is supposed to be very good and will be a good step up from Tiagra.

Using 6870 Di2, the best complement I could give it, is that you don't notice it at all after a while. When I ride mechanical, I shift the lever and at the back of my mind I wonder how quick or smooth the shift is going to be, expecially with front shifts. But with Di2, the shifts are super fast, effortless and you just know it's there for you with perfect shifts every single time. It's hard to describe, but you almost end up using your gears without thinking and you get on with the riding. It just works and works better than any other mechnical system I'v used. As to wherever it's worth the extra outlay, it's hard to say. The only reason my Foil has Di2, is because I bought it as a great package from Westbrooks which was too good to pass up. But now that I have it, I'm glad I do.

When I swap back to my 6700 bike, it's not a step back to the dark ages or anything, but it really does feel pretty agricultural in comparison.

imposter2.0

ben@31 wrote:

I'm looking at buying a groupset for a frame I've just bought.

I'm torn between buying Ultegra 6800 and Ultegra 6870 di2.

With my old bike I've been frustrated by it's mechanical groupset (an old Tiagra group) needing to be frequently adjusted and serviced. Sometimes it seemed to loose it's indexing or just making a grinding gear change. Recently I've had to nurse the gear into place by giving the lever another tweek afterwards. I've got the bike serviced at a LBS just for it to revert back to grind mode. So you can imagine I find the di2's gear change appealing.

However, I don't find the price appealing.

Ultegra di2 is almost twice the price. Is it really worth such a huge difference? Would the 6800 mechanical groupset still need to be frequently serviced / re-indexed or will be be less troublesome than my Tiagra?

You shouldn't be having that many recurring problems with any mechanical groupset...

ben@31

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

I wouldn't bother unless going dura ace

Having read tons of reviews while trying to make up my mind. What I have read a few times is that the Ultegra Di2's action changes gears as good as the Dura Ace Di2.

meanredspider

ben@31 wrote:

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

I wouldn't bother unless going dura ace

Having read tons of reviews while trying to make up my mind. What I have read a few times is that the Ultegra Di2's action changes gears as good as the Dura Ace Di2.

Yup - the comment is useless in this thread. Di2 in Ultegra form is great. I've been running it for over 3 years one bike and a year on another and not a single problem - not a single missed shift. I agree with the comment earlier that you simply don't notice it - gear changing becomes subconscious. I still have the old-fashioned mechanical shifting on my Cayo and it feels so out-dated - especially shifting the big ring. Is Di2 worth it? Well, clearly in think so.

Omar Little

It was going to be my main bike related ugrade this year but have been put off a bit by some of the guys in my club having issues - battery running out (which is user error so that wouldnt put me off) but 3 times this summer on club runs there has been a rider either stuck in a front ring or cant change the cassette at the back due to presumably a loose connection. Maybe its just bad luck but the bikes weren't crashed beforehand and they are otherwise well looked after so it has been a bit offputting.

kingstonian

I love my Ultegra Di2

If you can, give it a go before buying and i expect you will love it - but at least that way you can make the decision that is right for you

pippi_langsamer-2

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

I wouldn't bother unless going dura ace

I wouldn't bother going dura ace

flasher

I had it on a hire bike for a week, and it was very nice as previously said you just don't notice it after a while, however when it comes to bikes I'm a bit of a Ludite and feel a bike should be mechanical, relying on a battery just doesn't seem right!

mamba80

Save your money, check the gear hanger (for your current issues) and buy 6800, its as good as you ll ever need.

Bar Shaker

It's worth every penny and you will love it.

Anonymous

mamba80 wrote:

Save your money, check the gear hanger (for your current issues) and buy 6800, its as good as you ll ever need.

That makes no sense at all :roll:

Why would 6800 be as good as he (or anyone) will ever need, but not 105 or even the Tiagra when working?
Do you know the OP?

Have you ridden a bike with Di2?
'Good as you will need' has nothing to do with the Di2 aspect of a group set anyway IMO, so if you are saying the OP is 'allowed' to have Ultegra, then its simply whether he would prefer the electronic version.

Is anyone old enough to remember the original video recorders with piano key buttons?
Was much better when they became electronic wasn't it

Massive long/hard push through a stretching/degrading wire cable, or button push to go to the big ring.
Isn't the reason you get a better group set (thereby spending more money) for smoother changes?
If so why stop at mechanical?

DeVlaeminck

Like Omar I've been put off by problems clubmates have had with it.

Spudboy

I borrowed a bike with Ultegra Di2 for a 100 miler. The shifting was quick and faultless but I felt strangely detached from the shifting. With my mechanical Record groupset I feel more connected to the bike somehow and it feels more rewarding for me. It felt a bit like the difference between driving an automatic and a manual geared car in a way.

The front shift on Di2 is fab though. One thing that would put me off is that several people I know have had issues that have ended their rides and which wouldn't have done with a mechanical set.

metronome

Spudboy wrote:

One thing that would put me off is that several people I know have had issues that have ended their rides and which wouldn't have done with a mechanical set.

What puts me off mechanical, is that I know several people whose ride has ended which wouldn't have happened with electric [/just as daft as your comment]

careful

Is the frame you have bought set up for di2. If not then you are stuck with the external wiring etc which could be a deal breaker.

ben@31

careful wrote:

Is the frame you have bought set up for di2. If not then you are stuck with the external wiring etc which could be a deal breaker.

No, the frame had external mechanical.

However, having external di2 taped onto the outside of the frame would not put me off. In fact I'd probably be more confident with external di2 than external mechanicals that are open to the elements.

Bar Shaker

I agree with Carby. Di2 accounts for between 25% and 33% of the bikes typically out on rides with the two clubs I ride with. If there are gear related problems, it's never the Di2 bikes.

Of the girls (these are fast girls) the take up is well over 50%. This is because they aren't willing to fiddle around with indexing etc.

Provided you can remember to check the battery level and charge it every 2-3 months, it really is fit and forget.

Then again some people think it's fine to ride a bike that sounds like a paper shredder eating paper clips and sing the praises of mechanical gears.

DKay

Admittedly, only half a dozen of our club riders have Di2, but apart from one person running out of charge, none of them had any issues with it.

Also, the ability to fit climbing and sprint shifters is a nice thing too. I have the latter and find myself using them more and more. They're really sensitive and just require a nudge with the knuckle of your thumb to shift gear. If you're clever when positioning them, you can even use them from the hoods too and it's just like having Campag Ergo Power levers (or Shimano 2300 ).

ben@31

Has anyone ever reprogrammed the shifters. For example, left lever to change down and right lever to change up. Is it easy to reprogram and worth doing or does it need taking to a di2 shop?

DKay

ben@31 wrote:

Has anyone ever reprogrammed the shifters. For example, left lever to change down and right lever to change up. Is it easy to reprogram and worth doing or does it need taking to a di2 shop?

The newer e-tube Di2 groupsets allow you to do it at home. Download the Shimano e-tube software and plug in your bike using the USB port on the stem-mounted junction box via the supplied Shimano charger. Update the firmware and away you go. It feels proper Formula 1.

I'm about to change my shifter functions to a proper 'flappy paddle' set-up as I type this (and I've just posted a similar thread in the Road general section).

styxd

ben@31 wrote:

Is di2 worth it?

Of course not, don't be daft! It's just a gimmick. The noly folk who claim it's "worth it" are those that have spent a good deal of money on it.

It's a bike, a beautifully simple mechanical machine. Why spoil it?!

DeVlaeminck

metronome wrote:

Spudboy wrote:

One thing that would put me off is that several people I know have had issues that have ended their rides and which wouldn't have done with a mechanical set.

What puts me off mechanical, is that I know several people whose ride has ended which wouldn't have happened with electric [/just as daft as your comment]

Daft ? Seems reasonable to make a decision based on personal experience and observation. I'm sure those who have good experiences of Di2 are reassured by that just as those who have seen others have poor experiences are understandably more wary.

meanredspider

styxd wrote:

ben@31 wrote:

Is di2 worth it?

Of course not, don't be daft! It's just a gimmick. The noly folk who claim it's "worth it" are those that have spent a good deal of money on it.

It's a bike, a beautifully simple mechanical machine. Why spoil it?!

Yeah, right - with its unidirectional carbon fibre, ceramic bearings, ultralightweight components, Teflon lubricants, Ti fixings, etc etc. And gears operated by a bit of wire and a ratchet. By I expect you still adjust your ignition timing on your car with an advance/retard lever...

mamba80

Carbonator wrote:

mamba80 wrote:

Save your money, check the gear hanger (for your current issues) and buy 6800, its as good as you ll ever need.

That makes no sense at all :roll:

Why would 6800 be as good as he (or anyone) will ever need, but not 105 or even the Tiagra when working?
Do you know the OP?

Have you ridden a bike with Di2?
'Good as you will need' has nothing to do with the Di2 aspect of a group set anyway IMO, so if you are saying the OP is 'allowed' to have Ultegra, then its simply whether he would prefer the electronic version.

Is anyone old enough to remember the original video recorders with piano key buttons?
Was much better when they became electronic wasn't it

Massive long/hard push through a stretching/degrading wire cable, or button push to go to the big ring.
Isn't the reason you get a better group set (thereby spending more money) for smoother changes?
If so why stop at mechanical?

.

whats biting your axxx? a very angry & pompous reply.

the op said his Tiagra is constantly playing up... the fix is likely to be a bent hanger, possibly a frayed cable about to snap.... unless you have a better idea?
tiagra should change perfectly acceptably for long periods of time between adjustment.

what sort of grp set do use that requires a "Massive long/hard push through a stretching/degrading wire cable" you r talking guff! or have you a physical disability? in which case for you, Ui2 makes great sense.

and 6800 takes front gear changing to a new level and yes I have used Ui2 and Di2 both in 11 and 10sp mode and they are very very good but not at double the money - the OP has asked a VFM question after all.

Bar Shaker

ben@31 wrote:

Has anyone ever reprogrammed the shifters. For example, left lever to change down and right lever to change up. Is it easy to reprogram and worth doing or does it need taking to a di2 shop?

Ben I have mine set up for paddle shift mode. It was easy to do myself. The front switches do the front mech and the rear paddles do the rear mech. It is so natural it would be hard to go back to the limited function layout of mechanicals now.

Also, press and hold to move 3 cogs is sheer bliss. Changing up and down chains Inge and being in very similar ratios is just a case of pressing two buttons at the same time... and without backing off 1 watt of power.



For all those who don't have it or want it, can I just point out that it is Di2 not Ui2, ever.

sloppyschleckonds

Bar Shaker wrote:

and without backing off 1 watt of power.

LOL

DKay

styxd wrote:

ben@31 wrote:

Is di2 worth it?

Of course not, don't be daft! It's just a gimmick. The noly folk who claim it's "worth it" are those that have spent a good deal of money on it.

It's a bike, a beautifully simple mechanical machine. Why spoil it?!

Gimmicks which cost the best part of £1000 don't tend to sell thousands of units for over half a decade...

styxd wrote:

It's a bike, a beautifully simple mechanical machine. Why spoil it?!

In that case, why spoil this beautifully simple mechanical machine with cranks, pedals, pneumatic tyres, triangulated frame. :roll: If everybody has this kind of outlook, then we'd still be using two cans and a piece of string instead of iPhones.