Originally Posted by TimothyH

I've upgraded a 5800 FD to R8000 and use it with 5800 levers. Shifting requires much less effort at the lever. You don't have to push the lever as hard and the first time I used it I thought I was trimming but I was actually shifting. Setup is also much easier. I followed the manual and it was perfect the first time. I've not noticed any difference in how it trims which isn't to say it is not better, just that I havn't noticed. A major benefit is that the 5800 FD cable routes around a little pin which can easily get lost and replacements are difficult to source. This is why I upgraded mine, lost the pin. The R8000 does away with the pin and it was easier to just get a new derailleur for $42 at Performance.

There is no guarantee that a shadow rear derailleur won't get damaged in a crash. Marketers invent benefits with marginal to no value in the real world. Damaged derailleur is the last thing I worry about in a crash. How often do crashes happen anyway? One real benefit to shadow is less likelihood of it snagging a stick or rock on an MTB. Another benefit is the clutch. I run an RD-6870 on my gravel bike and have been considering the RD-8050 because of the clutch. Chain slap and chain drops are a problem on gravel.

Keep in mind that Ultegra Di2 is going to perform infinitely better than any mechanical system. That's the real play.

None of this will make you faster or make the hills hurt less and no one you ride with will know. "Because I wanted it" is a good enough reason to upgrade. Making you smile is a good enough reason.


-Tim-