More info price of Ultegra electronic
Shimano Ultegra Di2 6770 – Official Pics and More Specs, Weights - Bike Rumor
Pics of Campy electronic
Campagnolo Electronic Group at Flanders in Full Force, Up Close Pics - Bike Rumor
Well written piece from the other side of the fence:
The Chewbacca Defense - Competitive Cyclist
- Officially, at least, the 2012 product introductions won’t occur until trade show season. Eurobike takes place in late August, followed by Interbike in mid-September. But early summer – that is, now – is high season for previews and rumor-mongering. Sneak peeks have become the rule, not the exception. After having our first glimpse at the future, one innovation for 2012 overshadows all else: the electronic shifting of Shimano Ultegra Di2.
Shimano Ultegra Di2By now it’s common knowledge that to ride Di2 is to become obsessed with its incomparable shifting. Its overpowering technological superiority makes it a lust-stoking, wallet-choking necessity. Shimano’s history suggests the functional experience of Ultegra Di2 will mirror that of Dura-Ace. The main differences are likely to be Ultegra’s slightly increased weight and less-polished aesthetics for Ultegra.
Assuming that Ultegra’s shift quality is Dura-Ace-like, it will upend the bike industry next year for one crucial reason: Its expected price. First reports of Ultegra Di2 MSRP show it to be around 35% to 40% less than the cost of Dura Ace Di2.
The biggest price disruption from Ultegra Di2 will come from how most bike manufacturers already price complete Ultegra complete bikes. For manufacturers, Ultegra bikes are like the Battle of Verdun: A bloodbath where no one wins. Companies like Specialized, Trek, and Cannondale tantalize their dealers about next year’s bike assortment with a small handful of key models that provide spectacular bang for the buck. Visit your local bike shop and you’ll see that Ultegra-equipped bikes are hands-down the best value.
Do Specialized, Trek, and Cannondale make fat margins selling Ultegra bikes at such low prices? No. But by enthralling their dealers with two or three key models, they also get them on the hook for a much bigger assortment of higher margin models and ensure their brand gets the maximum footprint on the dealers’ sales floor.
All indications are that manufacturers will use Ultegra Di2 bikes as their loss leader for 2012. We’ve heard word that carbon fiber, Di2-specific frames equipped with full Ultegra Di2 groups will retail starting at $3,500. Even in a quick test ride around a parking lot, Di2 is capable of brainwashing a customer faster than any frameset or wheelset technology ever could. Compared with the alternatives in the sub-$4,000 price range – SRAM Force, Campy whatever, and even mechanical Dura Ace – Ultegra Di2 should prove to be technologically dominant and allow for the easiest sales pitch ever. The only X-factor will be availability. Can Shimano produce sufficient quantity for what will inevitably be astronomical demand? If so, Ultegra Di2 will upend the bike market in 2012.
That’s a pretty big talk-up. And it’s not even released yet…
Yes well Competitive Cyclist have been known for their hyperbole :)… but still they make some valid points about availability.
Hyper-bowl.
Love a bit of hyper-bowl.
I’ve changed my mind- I reckon electronic shifting IS a wank. I just don’t believe a circuit board and actuator is more reliable than a stainless steel cable. Not to mention water ingress, and what long term reliability like in 5 or 10 years. Of course not.
5 or 10 year reliability doesn’t matter to pro teams and is mattering less and less to the average upgrade-obsessed amateur. what’s the longest you’ve had a group for, Horatio?
that said, I agree it’s a bit of a wank, and completely unnecessary for the average fred.
8 years, shimano tourney, which was already 15 years old or older.
Originally posted by heavymetal: what’s the longest you’ve had a group for …?
Twenty years - the Shimano Exage 300EX Biopace groupset on the Kojima I bought new in '91.
I changed the bottom bottom bracket (for a new sealed cartridge BB) and the chain rings (for more Biopace) about six years ago.
I suspect the market for consumer level Di2 is the weekend Fred who is 30kg overweight riding $12,000 italian carbon and has a power-meter he doesnt quite know how to use.
Thanks for answering, but the point remains: it’s irrelevant to PRO teams upgradeaholics. I plan on keeping my current commuting group and my next road group for a bloody long time, so won’t be putting my cash into electronic.
This, for sure.
Good point. I guess I fit right into Fred category…
Having said that I do commute on a Rocky Mountain with Suntour XC LTD from 1991, does that help my ‘epic’ status?
The market will be flooded with top end gruppos (hence forcing the prices down) when the Fred’s all upgrade to Di2. I’ll upgrade to the 2nd hand stuff then.
surely you understand that the guy with the $12,000 carbon bike with power meter will only buy top of the range gear and wouldnt be seen dead on 2nd tier componentry like ultegra
You’re taking it too literally. I think he means the bloke the who walks into the bike shop and buys whatever the shop guy tells him is the latest and greatest. Or something.
triathletes?
This.
Bike Rumor- real world test:
Ultegra Di2 Electronic Shifting – Ride Review, Video & Tech Report - Bike Rumor
At few things that I’m calling BS on:
Devin Walton, Shimano’s PR manager for the States, says there’s actually less that can go wrong with Di2 than mechanical drivetrains. He said one customer had put more than 35,000 miles on a Dura-Ace Di2 bike before the rear derailleur had to be replaced.
Really? Having to replace the $800.00 rear derailleur isn’t really selling it for me
If everything turns green, you’re good to go. If a part shows as red, you’ve found the problem. If everything looks green but it’s not working properly, chances are good that it’s a bad/damaged wire somewhere. Unfortunately, the only way to test that is either swap in a new part (hopefully your Local Bike Shop will stock them) or swap wires between components and see if the red part changes.
Whereas a mechanical group you can tinker with it and fix it yourself! Oh, and the diagnostic software costs an additional $200.00 FFS!