Roubaix Expert Ultegra Di2
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Roubaix Expert Ultegra Di2
Had a little time to kill today before an appointment, so I made a 20 mile ride out to my nearest Specialized LBS just to browse around. Ended up taking a Roubaix Expert Ultegra Di2 for a test ride. One word: WOW! This bike was super S M O O T H! On initial inspection of the new "Future Shock" I was a bit skeptical. I really thought I wouldn't like the movement in the headtube. But once out on the road, I couldn't even tell. It felt just a rigid as any bike without it. But, what was vastly different was all the vibrations from the various potholes, bumps and uneven surfaces that was NOT there! This Future Shock really does the job.
Also, I would be remiss if I didn't mention how smooth the Di2 electronic shifting was. Just a big difference from what I'm used to with my 2016 Roubaix SL4.
Overall, I was super impressed. I spent about 20 minutes on it in less than ideal weather, but could have spent 20 hours easily. I was having that much fun.
Not sure how I'm gonna come up with 5 grand , but I'll definitely be working on it!
Also, I would be remiss if I didn't mention how smooth the Di2 electronic shifting was. Just a big difference from what I'm used to with my 2016 Roubaix SL4.
Overall, I was super impressed. I spent about 20 minutes on it in less than ideal weather, but could have spent 20 hours easily. I was having that much fun.
Not sure how I'm gonna come up with 5 grand , but I'll definitely be working on it!
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,645 Times
in
6,054 Posts
Was that your first time on a Di2 bike? Sounds like you're going to buy it. (Hint, banks don't carry much cash on hand anymore.)
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,645 Times
in
6,054 Posts
Everybody says if you ride a Di2 (or any electronic group) bike, you'll never go back. I figured I wouldn't even test ride one because I didn't want to spend the $$. Then I wound up test riding a Di2 bike because it was the only one they had in my size and I didn't even like Di2 at first. I came to love it but it took a few rides. Apparently I'm the only one. You took to it right off the bat, everybody seems to.
As to the $5K, have you tried Photoshop and a color printer?
As to the $5K, have you tried Photoshop and a color printer?
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,853
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1067 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 259 Times
in
153 Posts
Everybody says if you ride a Di2 (or any electronic group) bike, you'll never go back. I figured I wouldn't even test ride one because I didn't want to spend the $$. Then I wound up test riding a Di2 bike because it was the only one they had in my size and I didn't even like Di2 at first. I came to love it but it took a few rides. Apparently I'm the only one. You took to it right off the bat, everybody seems to.
As to the $5K, have you tried Photoshop and a color printer?
As to the $5K, have you tried Photoshop and a color printer?
Also even though it works very well, I am still just as happy to ride my other bikes with mechanical groups.
I have a number of Di2 and mechanical bikes (N+1 ) and when deciding which I feel like riding the Di2 isn't usually a factor in the decision at all.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 220
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1218 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
5 Posts
I have a pair of 2018 Roubaix Di2 's and the future shock just makes such a remarkable difference in smoothing out the bumps and vibrations.
I was lucky my LBS did a full 30day refund to upgrade the mechanical Expert to Di2. That took a quick test ride see how much smoother the Di2 is.
I was lucky my LBS did a full 30day refund to upgrade the mechanical Expert to Di2. That took a quick test ride see how much smoother the Di2 is.
#9
Banned.
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 61
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 49 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What are the advantages of Di2?
It seems disadvantageous to have to charge the batteries and move the entire bike to an outlet. What if the system becomes inoperable mid ride and you are stuck in 50x12 after a descent or 34x30 after a climb? Aren't the buttons too small for correct ergonomics (avoiding misshifts)?
Shimano's mechanical groups shift so well with so little effort already, how much easier does shifting need to be?
It seems like a solution to a nonexistent problem.
I can see how a wireless system would be advantageous by eliminating all of the clutter of wiring and cables, reducing rather than increasing complexity. Also, I think the batteries should be chargeable off the bike.
It seems disadvantageous to have to charge the batteries and move the entire bike to an outlet. What if the system becomes inoperable mid ride and you are stuck in 50x12 after a descent or 34x30 after a climb? Aren't the buttons too small for correct ergonomics (avoiding misshifts)?
Shimano's mechanical groups shift so well with so little effort already, how much easier does shifting need to be?
It seems like a solution to a nonexistent problem.
I can see how a wireless system would be advantageous by eliminating all of the clutter of wiring and cables, reducing rather than increasing complexity. Also, I think the batteries should be chargeable off the bike.
#10
Senior Member
What are the advantages of Di2?
It seems disadvantageous to have to charge the batteries and move the entire bike to an outlet. What if the system becomes inoperable mid ride and you are stuck in 50x12 after a descent or 34x30 after a climb? Aren't the buttons too small for correct ergonomics (avoiding misshifts)?
Shimano's mechanical groups shift so well with so little effort already, how much easier does shifting need to be?
It seems like a solution to a nonexistent problem.
I can see how a wireless system would be advantageous by eliminating all of the clutter of wiring and cables, reducing rather than increasing complexity. Also, I think the batteries should be chargeable off the bike.
It seems disadvantageous to have to charge the batteries and move the entire bike to an outlet. What if the system becomes inoperable mid ride and you are stuck in 50x12 after a descent or 34x30 after a climb? Aren't the buttons too small for correct ergonomics (avoiding misshifts)?
Shimano's mechanical groups shift so well with so little effort already, how much easier does shifting need to be?
It seems like a solution to a nonexistent problem.
I can see how a wireless system would be advantageous by eliminating all of the clutter of wiring and cables, reducing rather than increasing complexity. Also, I think the batteries should be chargeable off the bike.
Anything can break mid ride
Electric shifting is fast and precise and also allows for shifting under power. Auto trimming is a pretty nice feature also.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: midwest
Posts: 2,528
Bikes: 2018 Roubaix Expert Di2, 2016 Diverge Expert X1
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 482 Post(s)
Liked 151 Times
in
105 Posts
Automatic Trim. Smoother shifting with this.
Ability to program shifting sequences.
Extra buttons on top that can be programed to, say, scroll through your Garmin pages.
Integration with cycling computer to view gears, shifting mode, battery level etc.
Ability to fine tune derailleurs on the fly while riding via cycling computer. No shifting cable stretch.
Ability to program shifting sequences.
Extra buttons on top that can be programed to, say, scroll through your Garmin pages.
Integration with cycling computer to view gears, shifting mode, battery level etc.
Ability to fine tune derailleurs on the fly while riding via cycling computer. No shifting cable stretch.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,853
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1067 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 259 Times
in
153 Posts
Automatic Trim. Smoother shifting with this.
Ability to program shifting sequences.
Extra buttons on top that can be programed to, say, scroll through your Garmin pages.
Integration with cycling computer to view gears, shifting mode, battery level etc.
Ability to fine tune derailleurs on the fly while riding via cycling computer. No shifting cable stretch.
Ability to program shifting sequences.
Extra buttons on top that can be programed to, say, scroll through your Garmin pages.
Integration with cycling computer to view gears, shifting mode, battery level etc.
Ability to fine tune derailleurs on the fly while riding via cycling computer. No shifting cable stretch.
I am also sure it is easier and safer to tune a derailleur while riding with a barrel adjuster rather than on the cycling computer. Not that Di2 hardly ever needs to be tuned.
Anyway lets not turn this into a Di2 thread. It has already been beaten to death in the past.
Congrats on the Roubaix for when you do get one . Great bike.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: midwest
Posts: 2,528
Bikes: 2018 Roubaix Expert Di2, 2016 Diverge Expert X1
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 482 Post(s)
Liked 151 Times
in
105 Posts
I don't need or want any of those things which is probably why I am not bothered if the bike has it or not.
I am also sure it is easier and safer to tune a derailleur while riding with a barrel adjuster rather than on the cycling computer. Not that Di2 hardly ever needs to be tuned.
Anyway lets not turn this into a Di2 thread. It has already been beaten to death in the past.
Congrats on the Roubaix for when you do get one . Great bike.
I am also sure it is easier and safer to tune a derailleur while riding with a barrel adjuster rather than on the cycling computer. Not that Di2 hardly ever needs to be tuned.
Anyway lets not turn this into a Di2 thread. It has already been beaten to death in the past.
Congrats on the Roubaix for when you do get one . Great bike.
OK, that is fine you don't want or need it. So why did you feel the need to post that if it has been beaten to death? The OP did make it about Di2 after all.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: DFW, TX
Posts: 95
Bikes: Giant MB (need to determine model)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 49 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It is threads like this that make me want to figure out how to come up with the difference between what I am getting and the 2018 Expert.
#15
Senior Member
#16
Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 42
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I believe this will be my next bike. I did a 20 mile test ride on one, intentionally swerving to hit every pothole, crack, or manhole cover I could find. It was amazing.
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 56
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Future shock, hydraulic discs and Di2 sound pretty sweet indeed. But personally, if I already had a 2016 Roubaix, I’d just upgrade the groupset.
I have both 6870 and 6800 and am another one of those guys who would definitely opt for an electronic groupset for his next bike. I mainly like the speed, auto-trim and not having to adjust it as the cables stretch/wear. But I’ve also experienced a couple of times where I mis-shifted due to the buttons not having enough of a tactile response.
I have both 6870 and 6800 and am another one of those guys who would definitely opt for an electronic groupset for his next bike. I mainly like the speed, auto-trim and not having to adjust it as the cables stretch/wear. But I’ve also experienced a couple of times where I mis-shifted due to the buttons not having enough of a tactile response.
#23
Chases Dogs for Sport
Okay . . . it's already been threadjacked into a Di2 thread. But just yesterday I seriously considered having a cable actuated bike as my primary bike for the first time in 8 years. The thought didn't last long. Most of the reasons I wouldn't consider a non-Di2 primary bike have already been listed above. Add to those the fact that you can't use a remote/climbing shifter in a cable actuated system. And that, once adjusted, unless you change components, you never ever have to adjust your derailleurs again. (Di2 cables don't stretch.)
But the biggest one for me? I hated how shift quality diminished over time with cable shifters. And this led to lubing/replacing shift cables (and bar tape) every six months (sometimes a year). Di2 is set and forget. Got no barrel adjusters. Needs no barrel adjusters. It's a beautiful thing.
But the biggest one for me? I hated how shift quality diminished over time with cable shifters. And this led to lubing/replacing shift cables (and bar tape) every six months (sometimes a year). Di2 is set and forget. Got no barrel adjusters. Needs no barrel adjusters. It's a beautiful thing.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,396
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 140 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#25
Senior Member
They don’t shift the same way actually. Di2 uses a worm gear powered by a motor to move the derailleur, mech uses a spring under tension and a cable pull. Di2 can move much much faster with more precision and more force. For the rear it does not make much of a difference and even good mechanical can shift the rear under load. But the front is where it makes a big difference and the speed, precision and force allow it to move the chain under tension. It is also this ability that has allowed them to do synchro shifting since if they did not you would have to know to soft pedal on every shift since you would not know if the front shift would happen or not, but you don’t since the system can make those shifts with you needing to soft pedal.