‘Multiple bikes’ : some Di2 - some not ?

[sevenfourate]

Once you’ve gone Di2…..is there any going back ?

Anyone got a more than one (Road) bike - and a mix of Di2 and traditional cable gears……..and alternate between them as second nature ?

Does anything non Di2 in the fleet ever feel second rate ?

 

[Drago]

I havent "done it", but have tried it thoroughly.

I'm didn't go forward with it, so no way to go back. Its a slick marvel, but does nothing to aid me and im not into tech for techs sake.

The way see it my bikes without suspension, with a fewer number of gears, etc, than my more modern mounts are just as excellent as the day I chose them and the passage of time hasn't altered that. The may lack in comparison, but in absolute terms theyre as great as they ever were.

I wonder if the tech-driven take such a pragmatic view with E shifting? Its not as if we're comparing steam to nuclear fusion here, they both do the same job perfectly well, so is the sheen alone enough to make the old stuff seem aged? You raise an interesting question.

Doubly interesting, the next bike I have my eye on has Di2 GRX. Its also available with a mechanical geartrain but the wheels and othernp trinkets etc are lower spec, so I'll probably stump for the model with E shifting, but would happily eschew that if the spec sheet made the E alone a simple omission.

 

[Webbo2]

I have an old best bike with mechanical Dura ace that still feels great to ride. It doesn’t get used much as my new best bike with Ultegra Di2 is just better. I was going use the Dura ace when the weather wasn’t great but as it’s got rim brakes and carbon wheels it isn’t that great in the wet.
I have a Winter bike with mechanical 105, rim brakes and mudguards which is fine to ride and I tend not to notice any issues usually because I have that much clothing on when riding it. That becomes the issue.
Apparently operating the Di2 buttons can be an issue with thick gloves.
If I won the lottery I would stick mudguards on the Di2 bike and use that for winter and buy another Di2 bike for summer .

 

[super_davo]

Once you’ve gone Di2…..is there any going back ?

Anyone got a more than one (Road) bike - and a mix of Di2 and traditional cable gears……..and alternate between them as second nature ?

Does anything non Di2 in the fleet ever feel second rate ?

I have exactly this and have now reduced my non Di2 bikes down to one (three Di2, one each of 105, Ultegra and Dura Ace.
It doesn't feel second rate in use but it is more effort keeping running sweet.
I am always on the lookout for a cheap Di2 upgrade kit too.

 

[ColinJ]

Anyone got a more than one (Road) bike - and a mix of Di2 and traditional cable gears……..and alternate between them as second nature ?

If you are only interested in Di2 vs cable then read no further!



If you are also interested in the more general experience of switching between very different gearing systems... read on!

I have bikes with... Campagnolo Ergopower (3*10), Shimano Rapidfire (3*9), Shimano Tiagra (2*10), SRAM Apex (1*11)... and a Frankenstein DIY system (1*6) which uses a bar-end shifter on the left (wrong) side of the handlebar (because the right hand side was already used by a bar-end mirror).

Every time I switch to a different bike there is an adjustment period during which I get used to the replacement system. This normally only takes a few minutes. I have found, however, that a degree of concentration is involved. As long as I don't get distracted I am fine. A few times though I have let my mind wander and then my thumbs can start reaching for the Campagnolo thumb shifters even when not on that bike! That is because about 90% of my adult riding has been on Ergopower-ed bikes.

TBH, I would probably switch to electronic shifting if I could afford to, but there isn't much chance of that unless one of my little projects eventually earns me a decent supplement to my state pension.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

A few times though I have let my mind wander and then my thumbs can start reaching for the Campagnolo thumb shifters even when not on that bike! That is because about 90% of my adult riding has been on Ergopower-ed bikes.

Towards the back end of my cycling days I unwisely switched to Shimano after decades on Campag. I lost count of the number of times I was on a hill which got steeper and I mistakenly shifted to a smaller sprocket because of the difference in operation. It's no joke when you're out of the saddle at 12rpm and your legs suddenly hit a brick wall.

 

[mustang1]

Ask my bikes are Shimano cables.

But I rode a Di2 bike (with rim brakes!) on Mount Tiede. The Di2 bike was exceptional but not because of the e-gears. The thing that really stuck out was the frame and how good the bike felt. It had zero to do with the gears. Actually I was very impressed with the rim brakes, they were impeccable.

So if I had a Di2 bike, I would consider the gears to be it's standout feature although it's nice to have. I suppose. No, the standout feature for is always how the bike feels. Will the bike change gears quickly, regardless of if it's cable or electronically operated? That's what I want.

If all bikes from now onwards had e-gears, I would not be bothered either way. Ditto if all bikes were cable-geared. As long as they change gears quickly and accurately while. Giving good feedback, that's enough for me.