Di2 on iOS

ibr17xvii

Planning ahead & considering a new best bike with Di2.

However I'm firmly in the Apple OS world & don't have any other tech running Windows or Android.

Doing a bit of reading it seems that the best way of updating firmware & changing settings is hardwired (rather than bluetooth or Wifi) as I've read about the system getting bricked doing updates with the optional wireless transmitter over Bluetooth.

For general charging etc I wouldn't have thought it will be an issue but am I going to run into problems if I don't have a PC or Android device? Interested to hear from owners who solely run Apple & how they cope.

cruff

Had di2 for years and never updated it. The only time it's ever needed fettling was after crashing in a race - took it to the lbs and they sorted it while they assessed and repaired the rest of the damage. Unless you like wilfully fiddling with stuff, you'll never need to 'connect' it - just charge it

ibr17xvii

cruff said:

Had di2 for years and never updated it. The only time it's ever needed fettling was after crashing in a race - took it to the lbs and they sorted it while they assessed and repaired the rest of the damage. Unless you like wilfully fiddling with stuff, you'll never need to 'connect' it - just charge it

Good to know.

I don't like unnecessarily fiddling with stuff unless I have to but I'd be more concerned about firmware updates & that kind of thing as I do like to what I have to be up to date.

cruff

Meh. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. And usually with di2... It ain't

moonshine

I have the e-tube app on my iPhone and iPad and it works perfectly with my Di2 with the 2 port BT wireless unit Di2 adaptor installed - I can easily update firmware, configure the shifting etc with the iPhone / iPad.

StillGoing

Have Di2 and the firmware updates can be useful, so I wouldn't advocate simply ignoring them. But, each to their own.

You're right in that the first time you try to use an iOS device with the D-Fly unit, it can lock up and it seems the only way to unlock it is by plugging in to a lap top or PC (MAC or Windows). I suppose you might get around this with a USB to lightening adapter.

ibr17xvii

StillGoing said:

Have Di2 and the firmware updates can be useful, so I wouldn't advocate simply ignoring them. But, each to their own.

You're right in that the first time you try to use an iOS device with the D-Fly unit, it can lock up and it seems the only way to unlock it is by plugging in to a lap top or PC (MAC or Windows). I suppose you might get around this with a USB to lightening adapter.

I've read this a few times & must admit it is a concern. None of the above would stop me getting a bike with Di2 on it but in an ideal world I'd like to be able to update it even every now & then.

The wireless unit seems flaky at best so not sure I'd like to rely on that.

Seems a bit mental that Shimano won't support Mac.

StillGoing

After the initial set up, the D-Fly works fine with an iPhone or iPad. It's just the initial set up that can lock it up.

ibr17xvii

StillGoing said:

After the initial set up, the D-Fly works fine with an iPhone or iPad. It's just the initial set up that can lock it up.

D-Fly is the optional wireless adapter that's about £70?

I'd be right in saying that if you don't have that you have to update / change settings with a PC or Android device?

lincolndave

ibr17xvii said:

D-Fly is the optional wireless adapter that's about £70?

I'd be right in saying that if you don't have that you have to update / change settings with a PC or Android device?

Yes you are right ,the D fly unit is for wi fi only
I use a windows based laptop for changing settings and updating the firm ware

ibr17xvii

lincolndave said:

ibr17xvii said:

D-Fly is the optional wireless adapter that's about £70?

I'd be right in saying that if you don't have that you have to update / change settings with a PC or Android device?

Yes you are right ,the D fly unit is for wi fi only
I use a windows based laptop for changing settings and updating the firm ware

Cheers mate.

I suppose it depends on how much importance you place on updating the system. Whilst I do quite like having stuff up to date I’m not buying a dedicated device to do it.

Either that or get the wireless adapter.

pilot_pete

You could always just buy a refurbed laptop running windows - I’ve seen them for as little as £100 from trusted online retailers...

PP

pblakeney

No company or friends available Windows based PC?
Cheapest option for an infrequent update if IOS is not supported.

lincolndave

Or how friendly is your local bike shop, it’s not a long job to update the firmware

ibr17xvii

pilot_pete said:

You could always just buy a refurbed laptop running windows - I’ve seen them for as little as £100 from trusted online retailers...

PP

Yep good shout.

I guess I’d just need to make sure the spec is capable of running the program.

ibr17xvii

pblakeney said:

No company or friends available Windows based PC?
Cheapest option for an infrequent update if IOS is not supported.

A couple of options I’ve got in that area but never having had Di2 I didn’t know how frequent they rolled out updates.

Didn’t want to be borrowing laptops every week!

ibr17xvii

lincolndave said:

Or how friendly is your local bike shop, it’s not a long job to update the firmware

Mechanic guy in my area I would trust to do pretty much anything on my bike but as above didn’t want to be hassling him every 5 minutes doing updates.

StillGoing

I've had Di2 for about 2 years or so now and in that time there's been probably two updates.

To clarify; if you want to change settings or update firmware remotely using your phone, you need the D-Fly unit.
To change settings, update firmware and potentially unlock the system if you use D-Fly, you need a PC or Mac.
There is the odd report of Di2 not charging fully when charged from the mains and having to be done from a PC. Not experienced this myself.

ibr17xvii

StillGoing said:

I've had Di2 for about 2 years or so now and in that time there's been probably two updates.

To clarify; if you want to change settings or update firmware remotely using your phone, you need the D-Fly unit.
To change settings, update firmware and potentially unlock the system if you use D-Fly, you need a PC or Mac.
There is the odd report of Di2 not charging fully when charged from the mains and having to be done from a PC. Not experienced this myself.

1 update a year? I can cope with that.

Watching Shane Miller’s YT video when he installed the D-Fly unit & reading other reports it does seem very 50/50 as to what kind of experience you get with it.

I think maybe that would be an upgrade down the line for me. I do fancy the option of seeing data from the Di2 on my head unit but it’s not a dealbreaker.

Especially as I’ve not even decided on a bike yet..........

lincolndave

StillGoing said:

I've had Di2 for about 2 years or so now and in that time there's been probably two updates.

To clarify; if you want to change settings or update firmware remotely using your phone, you need the D-Fly unit.
To change settings, update firmware and potentially unlock the system if you use D-Fly, you need a PC or Mac.
There is the odd report of Di2 not charging fully when charged from the mains and having to be done from a PC. Not experienced this myself.

No I have not had any problems charging the system from a usb point on the 13 amp socket