If you were buying a new bike would you go for di2?

redvision

I'm about to buy a new race bike but i am torn between whether to get the standard Ultegra, or spend a bit more and go for DI2.

I have never ridden Di2, but a couple of mates have suggested this is the way to go when getting a new bike these days.

What do you think? Is it worth the extra money?

Would really appreciate any advice.

Thanks

velohutts

Had the exact same discussion with a mate of mine.

The new 6800 ultegra is great vfm, di2 is great which if easily affordable well worth it.

Went with the 6800 as the EPO was taking some convincing I 'needed' another di2 set up.

The changing gear under load has proven a worthy update on the odd leg implosion!

bbrap

Both work fine, but I like the Di2 best. Plug in the laptop and configure the switches how you want them. I have the big paddles on the left & right moving the rear derailleur. Little ones change the rings. Unconventional but nice to have the option to do it how you want.

sloppyschleckonds

Dura ace di2 yes, ultegra no.

Anonymous

I went for new DA (mechanical) on new bike.
Have loved the old DA over last three years on old bike, so as it has been upgraded I was very happy to try that for now.

Have no real desire to go electric just yet, so mechanical DA is my choice over Di2 Ultegra at the moment.

mamil314

No, i'd get 785!

meanredspider

Absolutely. Just considering my third Ultegra Di2 bike at the moment (something with off-road/fire road capability). Di2 is great and, in a combined time of 6 or 7 years, I've not had a single issue.

curto80

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19738510#p19738510]SloppySchleckonds[/url] wrote:

Dura ace di2 yes, ultegra no.

Er, that makes no sense.

antsmithmk

Spares cost a bomb. North of 100 sheets for a rear deraileur

mfin

Di2 can be good for people who don't maintain their bikes much and can't be bothered to work out how to tweak gear indexing if needed. So, as a maintenance thing it can be a good choice. It doesn't offer much apart from that, it's just down to whether it's something you like the operation of or not. It all looks sh1t too, but that doesn't put those that buy it off enough not to.

redvision

Thanks for all the comments, a lot of interesting points of views and experiences.
I am still very torn. On one hand i would much rather have a mechanical groupset which i know, in the event of any failures, could be repaired at the side of the road. But on the other the more i hear about DI2 the more impressive it sounds.

God i wish i could make a decision!!! :evil:

Grill

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19738550#p19738550]Curto80[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19738510#p19738510]SloppySchleckonds[/url] wrote:

Dura ace di2 yes, ultegra no.

Er, that makes no sense.

Agreed. They're functionally identical.

bbrap

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19738571#p19738571]mfin[/url] wrote:

Di2 can be good for people who don't maintain their bikes much and can't be bothered to work out how to tweak gear indexing if needed. So, as a maintenance thing it can be a good choice. It doesn't offer much apart from that, it's just down to whether it's something you like the operation of or not. It all looks sh1t too, but that doesn't put those that buy it off enough not to.

I have bikes with both and am more than capable of setting them up to shift perfectly. Granted cables require more technical savvy than electronic to get to shift well but its the ongoing nature of the maintenance that is the benefit for a lot of people. I'm not sure the looks are really that bad given that a lot of the gubbins is now hidden away in the frame. Given that most people interact with elecronics on a daily basis (everyone on this board for instance) I think it inevitable that as prices come down the acceptance will change in favour of electronic. Some will stick to the mechanical sets as that is what they like (some take it further and still ride penny farthings) but the reliability and low maintenance will win out in the end as the next batch of less mechanically minded cyclists come into the sport. Its not just cycling going through the change, the manufacture of everything has changed and likewise what people know and can do will have to change to accommodate. Most people under 25 these days can work wonders with electronic devices but can they change a tap washer? can they bollox

bernithebiker

I have an SL5 with DA Di2 and an SL4 with mechanical DA 9000.

When I ride the 9000, I miss the electric shifting big time, especially front shifting.

With Di2 shifting is so easy, so press and forget, that I reckon I shift about 20% more, which means I am in the right gear that bit more often.

I also like having my gear position displayed on my Garmin.

BUT, I have had a couple of weird breakdowns with Di2, something you just don't get with mechanical.

Grill

Have/had 7970, 6770, 6870, and 9070. ALeays go for Di2 on a TT bike. Had 9070 on my Storck and missed my 6800. Gone for 9000 on the English. No real point of Di2 on a road bike.

timothyw

I have to say, I'm a little intrigued by people who say that with mechanical you have a greater chance of being able to fix it by the roadside - do you all carry spare gear cables and cutters with you on your rides?

If you don't I struggle to understand how the average gear issue is any more fixable by the roadside with mechanical than electronic - can someone shed any light?

I'd say with both it's likely that in the event of an issue you'll be stuck riding with a greatly reduced gear range (eg only able to shift at the front/rear) perhaps even single speed, but I can't see a massive difference in bodge-ability?

For me if I was spending the sort of money that Ultegra di2 was an option, then I'd go for it. I've never spent that sort of money on a bike as yet though!

noodleman

Got to agree with Grill. Everyone seems to aspire to Di2 on their road bikes. I've got it on my De Rosa, and although i love the bike, it has nothing to do with the fact it's Di2 and it certainly isn't something that would make me choose to ride it ahead of my other bikes. I'd happily change it to Sram Red as i find it looks nicer, is lighter and performs faultlessly. If i could be bothered i'd take the Di2 off and put it on the TT bike.

freefall_junkie

The whole electronic vs mechanical debate has been done to death over the years. Simple fact is that the majority of people who have tried electronic for any decent length of time, myself included, wouldn't go back. Interesting article recently on this here http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/are-electronic-groupsets-necessary-168675 . About 90% of the world tour pro peloton ride electronic, although admittedly they don't have to pay for their kit which does make a difference! Luke Rowe from Sky: “I’ve ridden electronic for four or five years, and it’s not until you hop on a bike with mechanical shifting and change gear a few times that you realise how much poorer it is. It takes a while for you to remember just how bad it was. It’s a no-brainer — I never want to go back.”

The one significant downside of Shimano Di for me is that it is easy to hit the wrong button if you have thick winter gloves on. That would make me think twice about it for my next winter bike, but for the summer bike I agree with Mr Rowe - its a no brainer :-)

singleton

I have di2 and wouldn't bother in future.
Added expense, added weight, added complexity (in terms of charging etc although not much), minimal benefit.
I'd either save the mondy and get mechanical ultegra, or if you want, why not blow the same budget and get mechanical DA.

mamba80

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19738686#p19738686]freefall_junkie[/url] wrote:

The whole electronic vs mechanical debate has been done to death over the years. Simple fact is that the majority of people who have tried electronic for any decent length of time, myself included, wouldn't go back. Interesting article recently on this here http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/are-electronic-groupsets-necessary-168675 . About 90% of the world tour pro peloton ride electronic, although admittedly they don't have to pay for their kit which does make a difference! Luke Rowe from Sky: “I’ve ridden electronic for four or five years, and it’s not until you hop on a bike with mechanical shifting and change gear a few times that you realise how much poorer it is. It takes a while for you to remember just how bad it was. It’s a no-brainer — I never want to go back.”

Well, i ve used Di2 both DA and Ultegra and aside from the new gimmick factor, dont see the draw myself.... as for road side fixes, maybe not, but when i get home, i d have it fixed side a an hour or two, Di2 might well need a LBS visit but its also dead reliable too, so probably not a factor for the vast majority.

BUT the OP asked about di2 for his next race bike and assuming he is talking about amateur road racing where he is paying for his own bits, following the enivitable crashes, then it has to be mechanical, just because of the cheapness or replacement parts compared to Di2, if its for a TT bike, then Di2 all the way.

Luke Rowe is paid to say that the kit he uses is the best there is, regardless of his personal thoughts.

freefall_junkie

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19738694#p19738694]Singleton[/url] wrote:

I have di2 and wouldn't bother in future.
Added expense, added weight, added complexity (in terms of charging etc although not much), minimal benefit.
I'd either save the mondy and get mechanical ultegra, or if you want, why not blow the same budget and get mechanical DA.

Added expense definitely, but not sure about added weight. The later Ultegra and DA Di groupsets with the internal batteries are supposed to be marginally lighter that the mechanical equivalent. Certainly not enough difference either way to be noticeable.

rolf_f

Surely got to be worth considering for a winter bike. Don't really see the gain for shiny summer bikes though.

redvision

mamba80 wrote:

BUT the OP asked about di2 for his next race bike and assuming he is talking about amateur road racing where he is paying for his own bits, following the enivitable crashes, then it has to be mechanical, just because of the cheapness or replacement parts compared to Di2, if its for a TT bike, then Di2 all the way.

You know i hadn't even thought of this. I plan on doing a full season of racing in 2016, so the price difference of replacement parts is an excellent point.

Think this has clinched it in my mind, i will be sticking with mechanical.

Thanks again for all the advice and info.

londoncommuter

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19738715#p19738715]Rolf F[/url] wrote:

Surely got to be worth considering for a winter bike. Don't really see the gain for shiny summer bikes though.

How nice would it be when you can't feel your frozen fingers just lightly tapping the buttons for a front up shift. Can you imagine how gutted you'd be though scraping your extortionate rear mech along the ground on the inevitable ice.

rolf_f

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19738787#p19738787]londoncommuter[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19738715#p19738715]Rolf F[/url] wrote:

Surely got to be worth considering for a winter bike. Don't really see the gain for shiny summer bikes though.

How nice would it be when you can't feel your frozen fingers just lightly tapping the buttons for a front up shift. Can you imagine how gutted you'd be though scraping your extortionate rear mech along the ground on the inevitable ice.

Good point. Di2 is pointless for winter and summer!

Actually, I suppose the point is that electronic shifting will become useful when it is more affordable and perhaps is designed to be a bit more practical in use (assuming that button control is, as you say, an issue in big gloves). For summer bikes, it seems completely pointless unless, as already mentioned, the owner can't maintain a cable system.

singleton

Giving it more thought - maybe I've just become old school. Bike should be mechanical and not stop working when a battery runs flat.

slowmart

it's trouble free and works effectively and I'm heading for my third winter with no maintenance required so far.

What's not to like?

The battery is the only weakness in the offering but it is pretty idiot proof to keep charged.

Tiesetrotter

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19738783#p19738783]redvision[/url] wrote:

mamba80 wrote:

BUT the OP asked about di2 for his next race bike and assuming he is talking about amateur road racing where he is paying for his own bits, following the enivitable crashes, then it has to be mechanical, just because of the cheapness or replacement parts compared to Di2, if its for a TT bike, then Di2 all the way.

You know i hadn't even thought of this. I plan on doing a full season of racing in 2016, so the price difference of replacement parts is an excellent point.

Think this has clinched it in my mind, i will be sticking with mechanical.

Thanks again for all the advice and info.

Try being a Campy fan and justify EPS parts. It's bad enough with mechanical ........ don't think I can hold out much longer.

Anonymous

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19738571#p19738571]mfin[/url] wrote:

So, as a maintenance thing it can be a good choice. It doesn't offer much apart from that

Really? You have used it then?

meanredspider

I find many of the arguments against Di2 funny:
1. Cost of replacement parts? Too funny. If you're racing, you want to give yourself every competitive advantage or are you all riding aluminium bikes on Tiagra and RS10 wheels? I don't think so.
2. Weight? Di2 is now lighter than mechanical
3. Roadside repairs? What roadside repairs?
4. Charging batteries? Once every 1000 miles for 30 mins. Assuming you have a mobile phone or lights, I'm sure that this isn't beyond you.
5. Capability?ni find it funny on one hand that people say that Di2 is for people that can't set up mechanical and, on the other hand, is too complex. Truth is, I've adjusted up loads of people's mechanical systems for them whilst never having touched my own Di2. Even first set-up, you can adjust Di2 on the bike whilst riding.

If you're the kinda guy who has his shifters on the downtube, then fine, they'll match your wool jersey and pedal clips. But the only good reason not to buy Di2 is because you can't afford it. For the rest it's better, lighter and simpler.

DeVlaeminck

If it was cost neutral I might go for it just to give it a go - I have tried it briefly and wasn't really taken and I've seen a few people have problems with it which is enough for me not to be tempted to spend the extra over mechanical. For me it does look a bit like a solution looking for a problem but obviously it has its adherents.