User Review: Shimano XTR Di2

[Christie]

I had first generation DuraAce Di2 on my last road bike. The battery lasted 8 months per charge, riding 5 times a week.

[_C50_]

[quote name="GrantRH" post="2640701" timestamp="1433946900

How long will the battery last is a common question. I am told that it is good for at least 300kms, which is more than any stag race I have ridden.

........

 This is the future, this is bigger than the fad move from 26er to 29er, from tubes to tubeless, from 2/3x10 to 1x11, from seatpost to dropper. In my view, this is the single greatest advance in the sport that I have seen during my time riding. I was way behind the times when it came to the 29er shift, I want to be at the cutting edge of this move.

 

I think that 300km's needs to be translated to hours. 36ONE won't be the only race out of this groupset's reach, for many that would include events like TransBaviaans, TransKaroo, etc...

 

A bigger advance than tubeless? So you would rather have your "electro grouppo" before running tubeless? In Europe maybe, in SA, definitely not.

 

I suspect that most of the gravity/enduro crowd would disagree with you regarding the dropper post also.

 

Electronic shifting, at that price point? A solution to a problem that doesn't really exist, IMO.

 

And while I still have a thumb that hasn't gone to "soft" to actually change a gear on my mechanical groupset, I will definitely stick to it, thank you very much.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

I think that 300km's needs to be translated to hours. 36ONE won't be the only race out of this groupset's reach, for many that would include events like TransBaviaans, TransKaroo, etc...

 

A bigger advance than tubeless? So you would rather have your "electro grouppo" before running tubeless? In Europe maybe, in SA, definitely not.

 

I suspect that most of the gravity/enduro crowd would disagree with you regarding the dropper post also.

 

Electronic shifting, at that price point? A solution to a problem that doesn't really exist, IMO.

 

And while I still have a thumb that hasn't gone to "soft" to actually change a gear on my mechanical groupset, I will definitely stick to it, thank you very much.

One milllllllion percent

[Ryanpmb]

This is the future, this is bigger than the fad move from 26er to 29er, from tubes to tubeless, from 2/3x10 to 1x11, from seatpost to dropper. In my view, this is the single greatest advance in the sport that I have seen during my time riding. I was way behind the times when it came to the 29er shift, I want to be at the cutting edge of this move.

 

Eish I've just fallen off the knife edge going 27.5...

[Spoke101]

Thought I would wade in on the conversation.

 

To start XT Di2 might be as close a the end of the year according to a little birdie I know.

 

Secondly battery life is not determined by the number of hours you ride but rather by the number of gear shifts you make. This is due the system going to sleep after each shift.

 

I have had Di2 for the last 3 years and my battery lasts for about 4 months of 10-15hr / 300-400km weeks. I have never had any issues and that includes running the battery down on purpose during a ride to see what happens (limp home mode works), riding in the pouring rain for 160kms, crashing at 45km/h on the derailleur side and it taking a big knock, fiddling with the software and customizing it (very very easy).  

[JXV]

Thought I would wade in on the conversation.

 

To start XT Di2 might be as close a the end of the year according to a little birdie I know.

 

Secondly battery life is not determined by the number of hours you ride but rather by the number of gear shifts you make. This is due the system going to sleep after each shift.

 

I have had Di2 for the last 3 years and my battery lasts for about 4 months of 10-15hr / 300-400km weeks. I have never had any issues and that includes running the battery down on purpose during a ride to see what happens (limp home mode works), riding in the pouring rain for 160kms, crashing at 45km/h on the derailleur side and it taking a big knock, fiddling with the software and customizing it (very very easy).

I think I heard the same little birdie. Got a Whatsapp saying Di2 announcement for XT groupset was expected in July.....availability sometime after that...

 

Btw Grant..... nice review.

 

Re battery.....if it charges via USB as I suspect then surely you can hook up a bar mounted Powermonkey or othet small USB solar charger and charge while you ride. I foresee a future of freehub mounted generators with 5V regulators that can recharge your Di2 on the overrun when you are coasting during a ride....

[TALUS]

Nice review. Nice product. I have two bikes with Di2 (road)-I won't go back to cables. Di2 is already prevalent in the Roadie peloton. I expect this will become more common quickly in MTB too.

[GrantRH]

I think that 300km's needs to be translated to hours. 36ONE won't be the only race out of this groupset's reach, for many that would include events like TransBaviaans, TransKaroo, etc...

 

A bigger advance than tubeless? So you would rather have your "electro grouppo" before running tubeless? In Europe maybe, in SA, definitely not.

 

I suspect that most of the gravity/enduro crowd would disagree with you regarding the dropper post also.

 

Electronic shifting, at that price point? A solution to a problem that doesn't really exist, IMO.

 

And while I still have a thumb that hasn't gone to "soft" to actually change a gear on my mechanical groupset, I will definitely stick to it, thank you very much.

Hey, it's not for everyone, I get that.

 

I am not enduro, I focus on multi-stage races. I am not a pro, but I can just crack A group on some races.

 

I can ride rigid, do I have to? No, I like full sus. Do I need padding in my cycling shorts? No, but it's much more comfortable. Could I survive changing punctures on tubes? Yeah, but what a hassle. Can I cycle mechanical rather than electric? Hell yeh, I have done so since I've started. Do I want to go back to mechanical after tasting electric? Not if you paid me. Does that mean I have a soft thumb? Maybe, but it goes well with my soft @ss.

 

Why make life harder when it could be made easier. Embrace advancement, why fight it?

[V12man]

Yes. Sounds better. .

 

Now I just need to hook it up to a solar panel on my back for the Freedom Trail...

Hub generator. ... provided it works when being charged.

[GrantRH]

I think I heard the same little birdie. Got a Whatsapp saying Di2 announcement for XT groupset was expected in July.....availability sometime

 

I heard about a recent XT release but thought it was this...

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/index.php?/topic/149718-Shimano-DEORE-XT-11-speed-and-1x11-option-unveiled

[Spoke101]

I heard about a recent XT release but thought it was this...

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/index.php?/topic/149718-Shimano-DEORE-XT-11-speed-and-1x11-option-unveiled

 

Yes that to, and if all goes to plan it will be in SA by the end of the month.

[Shebeen]

Nice review.

 

For me it would have to be as bulletproof as JZ's court dodging before I would put it on a mtb. Big statement of xc works cup is getting it in numbers, remember AC just won the giro in manual gears whilst the rest other team were on di2. Just means they do have a choice.

 

I'm interested to see how it handles wild issues like serious mud, or a bent derailleurs hanger

[NicoBoshoff]

If you knew (and were told by your LBS) that the XT version is coming as soon as say September, would you have waited? I'd be pretty bummed if I forked out R10k more than I had to if I could just have waited a few months.

 

I'm not even sure I'm going for 1x11 XT just yet. My 1x10 setup treated me very well on Sani2C and that's as hard as I'll suffer on that setup, so what will I really be gaining by going 1x11? A bigger chainring? Meh. A bailout gear? Haven't felt the need for one yet.

 

I'll rather wait till I build a new bike (probably next year) and then go across to 11 speed.

[Heel Drop]

I dont like it when something has limitations. If I want to do the 36one then I should not worry about the battery not making it. I can see a  gap for hub generated power more and more - something that I would def put on my bike for more then one reason 

[GrantRH]

If you knew (and were told by your LBS) that the XT version is coming as soon as say September, would you have waited? I'd be pretty bummed if I forked out R10k more than I had to if I could just have waited a few months.

 

I'm not even sure I'm going for 1x11 XT just yet. My 1x10 setup treated me very well on Sani2C and that's as hard as I'll suffer on that setup, so what will I really be gaining by going 1x11? A bigger chainring? Meh. A bailout gear? Haven't felt the need for one yet.

 

I'll rather wait till I build a new bike (probably next year) and then go across to 11 speed.

Good question, I'm not sure. When it comes to my road bike I am happy with ultegra mechanical at this stage. My road riding is nothing more than training for off road riding.

 

But when it comes to my MTB, I want the best that I am comfortable to pay for, especially if I'm on the trail for days at a time. With the XTR version I won't get that "should I upgrade to XTR" bug that I sometimes get. Having said that, I have stayed with the XT brakeset, which is good enough for me. I guess it comes down to where I want the best performance from my bike. Weight is less of an issue for me. If I can get the smoothest gear change with the least maintenance, I am willing to pay a premium for that. So I probably would have stuck with XTR if I had the option.

 

Sure the price tag is high. But it was a decision between a new road bike, at twice the price, or the Di2 XTR. My reasoning was that off-road is my first love, by a long way. Road riding is a means to an end. When I am on that trail, in the middle of nowhere, and my new grouppo ticks through the gears effortlessly, I know that I won't be able to wipe that smile off my face. And that makes it worth it to me.

[GrantRH]

I dont like it when something has limitations. If I want to do the 36one then I should not worry about the battery not making it. I can see a gap for hub generated power more and more - something that I would def put on my bike for more then one reason

I'll update the thread after I get a sense of how long the battery actually lasts. I also expect that battery life will improve significantly as battery technology continues to advance.

 

But for now, I guess it remains a limitation in certain circumstances, and I get the discomfort.