Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Shifting eReviewed

So there have been rumors flying around for years, and pictures dropping for almost that long, but it seems as if Shimano's electronic shifting for road bikes is finally here. You can find pics of the new system anywhere on the net, there are a decent reviews, and even some videos that show the system in all of its chirping glory. Word on the street even has it that Tucson correspondent Patrick even got to ride a Di2-equipped bike and said it was totally radtastic (his wording may have varied).

By far the best review out there is the one provided by CyclingNews, which goes into great detail about the system, but also makes it a point to compare it to other similarly priced groups. If you're interested you should definitely read the article, but if you're pressed for time I'll summarize it for you:

Di2 is the bizzomb. It's smoother than a roadie's legs after a nice long shower, faster than pro cyclist's doping denial, more reliable than hipster's fixie, and as regular as a peloton's nature break. In short, it is without peer or rival, and all the cool kids should rush out and get it. Think I'm exaggerating? Here are two quotes from the article:

"Calling all skeptics... electronic shifting is the real deal!"

"After our initial sampling last summer in Japan and now two solid months of near-continuous use on a proper test group, we can confidently say that shifting-by-wire doesn't just work; it's flat-out awesome." --James Huang

OK, so I believe them: it sounds pretty cool. And any of the kinks of the system -- batteries, interference, weight, reliability, serviceability -- seem to be well accounted for. Kudos Shimano.

But that got me thinking: can it really be that great? How much greater is it, really? For the sake of comparison, I decided to do a little pricing. I went to the Colorado Cyclist catalogue (currently my only bike porn) and did a little back-of-the-envelope figuring. Here's a price comparison for the similar components for standard Dura-Ace and Di2:

Di2:

Rear Derailleur: ...899.99

F/D Braze-on: ...749.99

STI Levers: ...929.99

Battery: ...99.99

Battery Charger: ...119.99

Charger Cable: ...7.99

Front Wire Kit: ...169.99

Rear Wire Kit: ...279.99

[Not included: System Checker, 356.99]

Total: ...$3,257.92

Dura-Ace:

Rear Derailleur: ...299.99

F/D Braze-on: ...149.99

STI Levers: ...699.99

Shift cable set: ...21.99

Total: ...$1,171.96

Difference: ...$2,085.96

This means that all other things being equal (cranks, cassette, brakes, etc.), the Di2 system is almost three times more expensive than a standard Dura-Ace system (2.78 times, to be exact).

My point is not that Di2 is expensive (though obviously it is) or that it is or isn't a good system (having not ridden it, I can't say), but to question whether or not it is three times better regular Dura-Ace, a component system that had so many reviewers drooling? And this is my issue with the (otherwise good) CyclingNews review: you've done a good comparison, but since most people other than bike magazine guys and pros will be buying this system, should price be something that's at least discussed? And if so, can you honestly say that as "flat-out awesome" as this system may be, that it's three times better than standard cable-actuated systems? Really?

Color me skeptical. At least CyclingNews' gushing is a bit more restrained than some others, I suppose. (Uh, when would you want to shift the front derailleur while sprinting, my Competitive Cyclist friend?)

I'm sorry to get my rant on this morning, and I hope my retro-grouch isn't showing, but it seems to be that things have gotten a little out of hand here. Granted, I'll never ride Di2, and probably not even standard Dura-Ace for that matter (I'm still rocking a 9-speed 105/Ultegra groupo), so my opinion might not mean much, but at some point enough has to be enough, and I'm drawing the line at groupos that cost over $3k: it is my Waterloo.

There it is, my eReview: Di2 just isn't worth the cost. I say this without every having ridden it, of course, but there you have it: imparted wisdom based on no evidence whatsoever.

Ride on!

New Wheels, New Tires, Old Legs

So I'd finally trashed the wheels on my tried-and-true commuter, the Redline 9*2*5, meaning that I had to get a new set ASAP: el truckadora doesn't have on-campus privileges, nor can I afford the gas that it takes to sport her around D-town. Low on cash and in need of something quickly, I turned to the wonderful world of eBay.


It was my first eBay experience, and I can see why this could get addicting. Still, I came out with a decent set of hoops -- Formula hubs laced with DT Swiss spokes to Velocity Aerohead rims -- at a decent price. I mounted up some fat new rubber -- Specialized Armadillos -- and hit the road yesterday. Due to a light snafu Ali and I missed the mtb night ride and headed to Duke Forest instead.

The wheels and tires performed beautifully. Granted, the tires barely fit in the fenders, and trash constantly and noisily gets stuck in there, but the SUV-like performance more than makes up for that. Wheels look pretty slick, too: as classic as the old silver-on-silver scheme was, I have to say I like the all-black look of the new wheels better. And the high-flange Formulas are just trick.


The Pirate's performance was less than beautiful. Armed with only my commuter light and trying to keep up with Ali and his mountain bike, the forest wasn't the best place for me. Some of those climbs are of decent length and pretty steep, and I was slogging it up a few at what felt like 12 rpm. Whenever we hit the flat stuff or pavement I was in great shape, but my legs can really feel the slow grinds this morning. I'm hoping that this helps me develop some good off-season strength without destroying my knees, by right now it seems to just make the morning commute all the harder.

We ended the ride with a spin through East Durham and a pass by "Wingz & Thingz" on East Main, where it was surprisingly Ali and not me that wanted to stop and sample the local culinary fare. We managed to make it out of the cholesterol trap (lovely, lovely trap that it smelled to be) alive, but it will be hard to avoid the same after a long summer ride.

All and all a good ride, and I couldn't be happier to have commutadora up and running again. Go eBay, I guess.