Di2

[PaulSB]

This is where my Luddite kicks in. I am dead happy that I have a really slick, easy gear change and people start trying to complicate things by banging on about apps and other computer speak.

Can't we just charge it every so often so that it carries on working without having to over complicate things.

You can certainly charge it every now and again and you'll probably be OK on the derailleur and cassette.

The problem is you can't charge the shifter batteries. When those are fully discharged you simply won't be able to shift. It's essential to know the battery levels, to have replacements, etc. It happened to me in January and a guy I was riding with earlier this month. The Shimano app, if you can make it work, will tell you this. A Wahoo unit is vastly superior and I imagine a Garmin will be just as good.

Ignoring this is like setting off without a tube or patches.

 

[fossyant]

You can certainly charge it every now and again and you'll probably be OK on the derailleur and cassette.

The problem is you can't charge the shifter batteries. When those are fully discharged you simply won't be able to shift. It's essential to know the battery levels, to have replacements, etc. It happened to me in January and a guy I was riding with earlier this month. The Shimano app, if you can make it work, will tell you this. A Wahoo unit is vastly superior and I imagine a Garmin will be just as good.

Ignoring this is like setting off without a tube or patches.

I'll stick with my SIS downtube shifters.

 

[I like Skol]

I like to fix things.

Have yet to try electronic shifting of any kind, but often find myself riding along on my 10 speed Tiagra commuter bike, ticking up and down the gear shifts just to 'hear' (there's not much audible, just a change of ratio) the perfect movement. I just don't know how you can improve on that?

I have a ride buddy who will not swap out his Di2. He has had regular issues, at least once a year. I have told him he needs to ditch it, but he keeps spending £££ to get it 'fixed' until the next time.... It has spoilt his rides and even resulted in him hiring a bike in Spain after already paying to fly his own bike there.

Just why would you? Mechanical shifting is already damn good, it just doesn't need further complications.

 

[Chislenko]

You can certainly charge it every now and again and you'll probably be OK on the derailleur and cassette.

The problem is you can't charge the shifter batteries. When those are fully discharged you simply won't be able to shift. It's essential to know the battery levels, to have replacements, etc. It happened to me in January and a guy I was riding with earlier this month. The Shimano app, if you can make it work, will tell you this. A Wahoo unit is vastly superior and I imagine a Garmin will be just as good.

Ignoring this is like setting off without a tube or patches.

Yeah but this is what I don't get, where are all these apps, are people constantly looking at their phone or computer whilst out for a ride, which to me should be a welcome escape from the constant bombardment of info overload.

 

[HLaB]

I've hired bikes with Di2 an SRAM wireless and it's never made me want to change my Dura Ace mechanical.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

You can certainly charge it every now and again and you'll probably be OK on the derailleur and cassette.

The problem is you can't charge the shifter batteries. When those are fully discharged you simply won't be able to shift. It's essential to know the battery levels, to have replacements, etc. It happened to me in January and a guy I was riding with earlier this month. The Shimano app, if you can make it work, will tell you this. A Wahoo unit is vastly superior and I imagine a Garmin will be just as good.

Ignoring this is like setting off without a tube or patches.

That all sounds like too much arseache for what to me is a simple mode of transport. Even when I ride just for fun over longer distances I don't want to be worrying about checking an app first. I've never found mechanical shifting inadequate in any way and I wouldn't go back to electronic gears.

 

[YMFB]

The button batteries in my di2 shifters are original and have 2,000 miles, I think I’ve charged the derailleur no more than 6 times.

i regularly check the Garmin for the battery levels. I’ve never adjusted the gears, unlike my previous Ultegra and the SRAM Apex which have been adjusted many times.