electronic Dura Ace

[redrhodie]

I stopped in the lbs to pick up my new tires yesterday, and was put on a Specialized Tarmac with electronic Dura Ace for a fun test ride. The shifting was pretty amazing. The shifters are in the same place, and work the same as standard Shimano, but the levers are smaller and with just a light touch, you get perfect shifting every time.

I didn't have a lot of time to play, so I spent the whole ride going through all the gears, especially spending time shifting up front while in the lowest gear. No gear combination is impossible. You can ride in the small chain ring and the highest gear, and shift to the large chain ring, and nothing rubs and you won't drop your chain. Since the front derailleur self adjusts, there are no cross-chain issues. It's pretty awesome. I didn't have time to test it climbing, but I suspect the precision of the shifting is the same. No more worries about getting in the right gear at the right time. The battery is really small, and a charge supposedly lasts for 2,000 miles.

This is the wave of the future. Probably soon, it will be standard on all new bikes. As a person who is not into gadgets (my cell phone doesn't even take pics), I know those who do like them will HAVE to have this. Will you put it on your vintage Raleigh Gande Prix? Probably not. But, your carbon bike will be like my cell phone without it. Old school.

[OakLeaf]

Since the front derailleur self adjusts, there are no cross-chain issues.

Isn't cross-chaining about the lateral stress on the chain - with derailleur rub and trim just being a little "warning" that you're getting into the extremes?

My sister's mechanic has the old Mavic electronic system and loves it. Before its time, I guess.

Personally, I'll be ready for wireless shifting when they integrate solar charging panels into the frame...

[smilingcat]

My question is: is it wireless? and if so, will it have a mind of its own like my heart rate monitor near a high-tension power line.

It sure would be a drag climbing a steep hill and it decides to shift up into a higher gear like 13 cog. would be an understatement. or what happens if the battery goes dead.

Reminds me of my electronic dash board in my car. Now that it has over 200,000 miles on it, half of the electronic displays are kaput. And I don't trust the gas gauge anymore so I have to keep a log of miles travelled from last fill-up.

smilingcat

[redrhodie]

Isn't cross-chaining about the lateral stress on the chain - with derailleur rub and trim just being a little "warning" that you're getting into the extremes?

Yes, I just called my shop, and you'll still have lateral chain wear from the extreme angle. But, maybe since you're not hitting the side of the derailleurs, you're not getting that additional wear and tear? I didn't get to ask him that. In any case, it's really precise, and can handle the shift from small to large chain ring in any gear without any effort. I think even when climbing, you don't have to ease up on your pedal when front shifting. I read that in this review:

http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6...7875-1,00.html

I'll keep my old Ultegra until it dies, and probably get the same level components next time. But, I can see the appeal. If you're a (rich) tech geek, you're going to love this. I'm neither, but it was fun to try!

[dianne_1234]

I have Dura-Ace Di2 (electronic) on a long-term loaner bike. I've done about 6 rides, or roughly 200 miles on it I'd guess.

To redrhodie: Thanks for your review, I too loved it the moment I started riding it.

To smilingcat: It's not wireless, no issues near any power lines (or anywhere for that matter) on any of my rides.

Buuuut...

While I had the loaner bike with Di2 I didn't ride it for month (travel for work) and the battery went dead. A few rides later I was again off the bike for several weeks and the battery was almost dead.

So, based on this I think, if you ride frequently it could be fine; recharge every couple of weeks or whatever. But on my infrequent riding schedule I felt it had to be recharged every "couple" of rides, which for me made it more hassle than I want.

Hope my experience helps!

[Maxxxie]

What happens when the battery goes dead? Does the bike become unrideable (or, more to the point, a single speed)?

Max

[Bike Chick]

I wonder what would happen on a week long bike tour like RAGBRAII? We had problems trying to find a place to charge our Garmin bike computers every night. I can ride without my computer but what if my bike needs a charge and you don't have access to electricity?

[sundial]

What happens when the battery goes dead? Does the bike become unrideable (or, more to the point, a single speed)?

See that's what I am afraid of. Imagine it conking out on a long climb and you're MILES from home.

[Dogmama]

Electronic shifting will be available on Ultegra. The LBS says Ultegra would last longer because it is heaver material. But would the shifting be as smooth?

[spindizzy]

There was an article I read on Slowtwitch about Di2. I think it is very exciting. Except for the price. So it will be a few years before I make the plunge.

http://www.slowtwitch.com/Products/C..._tri_2078.html

[Dogmama]

The Madone I looked at with dura ace electronic shifting was $3,200 higher than a regular Ultegra. But the Ultegra e. s. was $1,300 higher, so a little more do-able.

[ridebikeme]

Ahhh Oakleaf, I remember the old Mavic electronic system... generally worked fairly well as long as the mechanic was patient and simply took their time with it.

AS for the new systems, whether there is chain rub on the front derailleur or not there definitely is still some crosschain wear that will happen. I do think that we'll see Shimano and the Campy systems on more bikes, but until the price has dropped quite a bit... I can't see it being something that we'll see most of the time. But, only time will tell...

Batteries definitely are something that will need to be watched, but I don't think will cause a lot of issues. If you're travelling, then you'll simply need to bring the charger.

Will you see one on my bike(s)? No, I would rather spend the additional money on a new frame, wheels and continue to run CAmpy on all of my bikes... but just a personal preference.

I am glad to hear all of you talking about it though... our shop will run specials on the systems in the spring if interested.


http://chasecyclery.blogspot.com

[redrhodie]

This can help people who can't shift due to arthritis, which is really cool. I read somewhere recently about an older man, I think in his 90s, who put this on his bike for that reason.

I didn't mention in my OP that I initially thought the bike would shift by itself, like an automatic transmission. I rode it around the block, then went back to the shop to tell them I thought it didn't do anything. Doh! I can't believe they let me live that one down.