Ultegra Di2 weight and reliability?

[SwissVan]

Looking for some help and info:

 

I'm in the market for a new road bike (Tarmac Disc Comp) and was planning to get one with normal Ultegra (non Di2), mainly because i wanted to save some $ on the drive chain costs and rather spend extra $ on a better wheel set.

The price difference between the same bike with Ultegra Di2 or normal non Di2 Ultegra is fairly substantial.  

 

However, there is only one currently available in my size (61) and its a Di2 equipped version, otherwise i have to wait until +/- November for the new stock to arrive.

 

Questions are:

1. Does anyone know what the weight difference is between a Ultegra Di2 and normal Ultegra is?
2. Are there any known reliability issues with Di2 compared to conventional Ultegra?

 

Thanks for your input

[MDJ]

I've been riding Ultegra Di2 for 2 years now, absolutely love it - definitely worth it IMHO. Reliability is better than mechanical if you consider in addition to just working, its much less maintenance, flawless shifting every day. In my opinion its more tangible than a wheel-set upgrade. I bought a new Scott Addict in September, Ultegra Di2 with descent wheelset ... the love of my life  . I like the shifting so much I even prefer to use it on my IDT!

[SwissVan]

I've been riding Ultegra Di2 for 2 years now, absolutely love it - definitely worth it IMHO. Reliability is better than mechanical if you consider in addition to just working, its much less maintenance, flawless shifting every day. In my opinion its more tangible than a wheel-set upgrade. I bought a new Scott Addict in September, Ultegra Di2 with descent wheelset ... the love of my life  . I like the shifting so much I even prefer to use it on my IDT!

 

Thanks

I have Di2 on my Tri bike and agree it works beautifully, much nicer to use than conventional.

"Ve only vont to hear one click" 

 

However i don't ride the tri bike that often so have not had to deal with any technical issues with it while riding....Also have never really had technical issues with conventional and imo if something was to fail and go wrong while out on the road i would expect conventional would be easier to fix than Di2

[MDJ]

I've done about 18,000 kms on the Di2 Ultegra R8070 (12k on old bike, 6k on the new bike), that includes a crash where the derailer got a big scratch down the side and its still working perfectly. I had one problem on a ride where the Di2 system went to crash protection mode and shifted to a single speed - it did a reset when I got home and was perfect again. That has been the only issue ever. I really spent more time if I look back keeping my mechanical shifting crisp - generally needed to re-index a few times a year and swap cables.

[Zatopek]

I've done about 18,000 kms on the Di2 Ultegra R8070 (12k on old bike, 6k on the new bike), that includes a crash where the derailer got a big scratch down the side and its still working perfectly. I had one problem on a ride where the Di2 system went to crash protection mode and shifted to a single speed - it did a reset when I got home and was perfect again. That has been the only issue ever. I really spent more time if I look back keeping my mechanical shifting crisp - generally needed to re-index a few times a year and swap cables.

Two bikes: 2 years for me, 1.5 years for my wife - I feel exactly the same.

 

That time include loads of thunderstorm / very wet rides and @ high heat. I only charging the battery every 2-3 months. Not a moment of issues for me.

[Patchelicious]

Di2 is plenty reliable.

 

On a bike like a Tarmac, the ability to shift out of the seat while climbing makes it even more appealing. 

[Schnavel]

Di2 is a fantastic piece of equipment!

 

Is it necessary - no. Will you ever want to go back to mechanical shifting once you have ridden electric gears - no!

 

Go for it, you won't regret it!

[shaper]

Dura-ace Di2 on the road bike and Ultegra Di2 on the tri-bike, fit, forget and ride. Plug into the laptop, fine tune with the shimano etube software and even modify to how you want.  On my tri-bike I have syncro-shift set up for the FD, so automatically shifts.  Only issue I have with Di2 is the battery when travelling with the bike. some airlines happy for you to leave the battery in the bike in the bike box, others tell you to take the battery as hand luggage, so have to pull it out of the seatpost.

[Furbz]

if you can afford it go for Di2. its plain better.

i have the mechanical ultegra currently on my bike and it is fantastic (i did not have a choice at the time of purchase to change this).

i have used all 3 major electric groupsets and they are all much of a muchness. 

i prefer Sram due to the wireless and the fact it is now 12 speed. i feel shimano is currently behind the times due to this.

 

as for weight, my old Ritte Ace bike with Record EPS weighed 6.9kgs.

my new bike a Mandone SLR weighs a whopping 8.5kgs.

i'll take the Madone any day of the week over the Ritte. Don't let weight be a deciding factor

Edited May 15, 2020 by Furbz

[Popit]

Howzit SwissVan ,

You gonna LOVE that Tarmac .

I have one with Ultegra Di2 .... 

The Di2 is the bomb .... very reliable and the battery last for ever ....

 

I have the original Dura-Ace Di2 (7970 I think ) on my tandem and Ultegra 8050 on the Tarmac .

I think the new Di has stronger servo's as the changing is slicker than on the old Di .

 

Enjoy the new bike .

 

Regards to your Goose .

[Thomo]

I'm at that stage where comfort and ease of use are far more important than weight.

I was sceptical about Di2, but as somebody else said, can't see myself using anything else. [except for Etap perhaps ]

[IceCreamMan]

Being a late adopter of Di i have only had the Ultegra set up for 2 years on my summer bike. My winter bike is mechanical ultegra. 

 

the difference when both are fine tuned is amazing and worth the coin. 

 

HOWEVER, having said that the mechanincal Ultegra works well too and if the choice is an upgraded wheelset with mechanincal it becomes a tougher question. The wheelset will result in larger gains at this point in time. my 2 cents, buy the Di now and save money for the wheelset, it will arguably work out cheaper in the long run. 
 

Remember, the mechanical ultegra of today was the standard on TdF bikes not so long ago. Its a good piece of kit. 

[Jbr]

mmmh all this feedback makes it very tempting....

 

I'm currently on a Campy Centaur 2x10 groupset  (gears and brakes) with a ROTOR Crank with Q-rings

 

If I were to do the switch to electronic, would I have to change my brakes calipers or not ? The ideal would be to only buy the derailers/levers/cassette and freehub to make the switch form 10sp to 11 or 12...

 

Still seems like a very expensive upgrade though

[IceCreamMan]

mmmh all this feedback makes it very tempting....

 

I'm currently on a Campy Centaur 2x10 groupset  (gears and brakes) with a ROTOR Crank with Q-rings

 

If I were to do the switch to electronic, would I have to change my brakes calipers or not ? The ideal would be to only buy the derailers/levers/cassette and freehub to make the switch form 10sp to 11 or 12...

 

Still seems like a very expensive upgrade though

 

 

Can keep the brakes no problem. 

 

i suggest that you go ride a bike with e gears the difference is tangible. it just works...no mess no fuss

[Jbr]

Can keep the brakes no problem. 

 

i suggest that you go ride a bike with e gears the difference is tangible. it just works...no mess no fuss

Surely if I were to do that I'd also need a new chain and possibly chainrings ? going from a 10spd chain to a 11/12speed the chainrings have to change don't they ?

[IceCreamMan]

Surely if I were to do that I'd also need a new chain and possibly chainrings ? going from a 10spd chain to a 11/12speed the chainrings have to change don't they ?

 

Yes. 

 

(sorry yr post only mentioned the brake calipers) 

 

Then of course your wheels must be able to accommodate 11 sp or 12 sp too. 

 

It will be an expesnive upgrade...no 2 ways about it. go ride a bike with e gears and decide for yourself. 

 

Or 

 

Just go buy a full e gear bike