Curious what others think of the difference between the regular Ultegra shifting and the DI2. Do you think it makes a big difference? In what way? Is it a nicer, smoother or easier ride? Is it worth the extra money to do it? I don't plan to purchase a new bike for awhile and regret it if I don't get it now in a year or two, so wanted to gauge if others think it makes a big difference and is worth it now.

Thanks!

I think Di2 is worth it. For me, here's why:

1. You never ever have to adjust front derailleur trim. With regular Ultegra, you have 3 fd positions among which you shift to trim the two chainrings. Di2 adjusts trim automatically for you. With Di2, you forget that people still have to do that.

2. Once it's set up, you never again have to adjust a derailleur.

3. You never ever have to replace aging / dirty cables. And you never snap a cable on the road.

4. No matter how grungy your derailleurs and cables get, you never miss a shift and shifting never becomes more difficult than the day it is new.

You charge the battery a few times a year -- I charged mine 4 times last year for 7500+ miles and never came close to a dead battery. (I charged my Garmin battery countless times.) Besides the battery charge, Di2 is a no-maintenance product.

Yep, completely agree. I just brought a new bike with Ultegra mechanical and have Di2 on another bike. Di2 is substantially better all around. In addition to the comments above I'll add front d/r shifting is amazing. With mechnical it's an effect to shift and takes time. With Di2, it's a light touch and the switch is immediate.

im happy with mechanical, hell i was happy with DT shifters.. i see no reason at all to go electronic.. it looks more like a marketing push to me then any thing else... im pretty sure i will stick with 10sp too.. thinner and thinner stuff wears out more quick.... but electronic just looks wrong to me... the big ugly front der and meh.... mechanical never let me down.. cept for my ham fisted mechanic attempts to adjust it... but thats operator error.. technology for technologies sake... no... not a fan..

I purchased a bike with Ultegra mechanical and about a month or so ago, I was playing around with a club mate's new bike with Ultegra Di2 and couldn't believe how quick and smooth the shifting was. I regret not having purchased Di2, but the mechanical is pretty amazing too.

I went with the mechanical 8600 because it is so good and it is so much cheaper than electronic. I'd rather use the money for wheels.

I have a Di2 bike and a mechanical triple chainring bike.

I'm happy to cruise long rides on the triple. I'm not trying to keep up with a fast group. The front shifting needs effort to do, and I have to soft pedal to do the front shift. But that's fine on these rides. I don't mind being in the wrong gear occasionally.

On the Di2 bike, I can shift the rear without thinking, even while pedaling with a full effort. And the front is just as easy, and only slightly slower than rear shifts. It will make every shift perfectly, every time. It's just like clicking a mouse. On a slight change in grade, I'll shift the rear for just a few pedal strokes and can then shift back, it's so quick.

So the Di2 is really great when I'm working hard to try to hang on with the faster group rides. And it was very nice when I did the Horsey Hundred 100 mile ride, which has very little flat roads, and includes a lot of short rolling hills, maybe 40 to 100 feet high. It's nice to shift the front ring as needed at the base and again at the top of the hill.

Di2 can be set to "shift 3 cogs with a long press". By holding both "down" paddles for 1/2 second or longer, it shifts to the small chainring and 3 smaller cogs, just right for the base of the hill. Both "top" paddles do the opposite when cresting the hill. Slick.

The auto trim is nice, too. No front derailleur rubbing, even when cross chained.

I've yet to have any problem with mechanical shifting. I imagine I'll stick to mechanical groupsets until I do have a problem with it. Unless someone gives me an electric group, seems like a lot of money for minimal, if any, gains.

I'm guessing that electronic shifting is an example of one of those things you won't miss until you have it. Given the cost, it's therefore better for me not to have it, and enjoy the crisp and light shifting of mechanical 6800. As they say, ignorance is bliss!

Based on the reviews and opinions of people I trust, it really gives a better shifting experience than mechanical. Though I will still stick with mechanical for my next build. The reason is mainly the cost of the system. Also if anything fails in a mechanical setup any bike shop can fix it to a point to get home.

I just bought a new BMC GF02...Ultegra mechanical. Coming from a few year old mixed group Synapse I'd got it in my head that I really kinda wanted Di2. If I had ordered it out that's what I would have purchased. But I ran into a good deal on an in-stock left over 2015 mechanical. Rode it for a dozen test miles, liked it (including the color), and figured what the hell it's upgradeable If I want. Pushing 100 miles now, I'm glad I went with it. I don't find myself shifting as much and, with the 11-32, am so far spending most all my time in the big chain ring. Front der shifting with my old set-up was what was driving me toward Di2 in the first place and that on this bike is also much better. I'm a rec/fitness rider these, tho, so YMMV.

I just bought a new BMC GF02...Ultegra mechanical. Coming from a few year old mixed group Synapse I'd got it in my head that I really kinda wanted Di2. If I had ordered it out that's what I would have purchased. But I ran into a good deal on an in-stock left over 2015 mechanical. Rode it for a dozen test miles, liked it (including the color), and figured what the hell it's upgradeable If I want. Pushing 100 miles now, I'm happy with it. I don't find myself shifting as much and, with the 11-32, am so far spending most all my time in the big chain ring. Front der shifting with my old set-up was what was really driving me toward Di2 in the first place and that on this bike is also much better. I'm a rec/fitness rider these, tho, so YMMV.

The only people who dis electronic shifting are those who can't afford it IMO. There's not really any downsides (battery charging takes nowhere near the effort of cable maintenance) and plenty of benefits.

Really you should just ask yourself if the benefits are worth the added cost. For some that's a no and is understandable. If you can afford it I'd go for it IMO (although I'd wait until the new Dura Ace Di2 comes out in a few months, although that's yet another added cost).

I have mechanical Ult6800 and DA9000 and am very happy with both groupsets. In saying that, Di2 that I've sampled is also VERY nice - if you can afford it, why not get it?

cheers

I have both mechanical and electronic shifting bikes - an Ultegra 6800 bike and a bike with a mix of DA and Ultegra Di2. Both are nice, but the Di2 bike is the one I want to ride the most. In the thousands of miles I've ridden it, I've never had a bad shift and never had to trim the RD. Every shift is perfect. I'm glad I did it and I'll probably not have another mechanical bike in the future.

It's a true statement that if you don't think you can't afford it, then you shouldn't try it. If you try it, you'll want it.

J.

This is a pretty accurate statement as far as I go. Except I was able to get 6870 on my Felt for the cost of discounted 6800.I ordered a Felt F4 and it was sold out and after almost 2 months waiting for a bike that would never show, the bike shop offered me the F2 for the same price, or over half off. I took it. Better frame better components and Di2 is awesome. I would have never looked at it or even test rode it otherwise. Just out of my price range. I really like it but do on occasion choose my 5800 105 Tarmac just because mechanical is pretty good and depending on the ride as much or more fun..
I have Sprint shifters for shifting in the drops a little easier, and being able to shift through the entire cassette with a gentle press of a button is pretty sweet. Front shifting is really where it shines, and it's quick. I like to tinker and fine tune but it just is not an issue with electronic. I have also been fortunate in that my two wheelers work flawlessly and require no fine tuning plus the auto trim is nice.