The next bike I am considering comes with Force 1, but the plan is to replace the groupset with Di2. I have almost zero experience with Sram but was intrigued after the short test ride. Best time to sell the groupset is obviously when it still has zero miles on it, but I'm a little curious to give it a try. Just wondering if anyone switched from Sram mechanical to Di2, and what your thoughts are.

I’d go looking for a bike with Di2, as this is likely a $1600 swap out.

But maybe wait, as a lot of deals are using the 6870 group. The newer 8050 shifters are a bit nicer and maybe worth the time and money. As well the 8050 gets the little buttons on top which work well with Garmin and other GPS computers.

Why not just buy a bike with Di2 or eTap? Seems like a waste of money doing it your way.

It's not that much more if you piece together a 6870 group with good deals. The Force 1 group goes for around $1k new.

I pieced together an Ultegra 6870 group for $1120 USD in spring of 2017. Prices have changed a bit since then so YMMV.

Shifters/Levers are not included in that price because I purchased a bundle with levers, calipers, hoses and pads. There is also a price difference between mechanical and hydraulic levers so add in your cost for levers.

You can probably keep the SRAM cassette and chain to save a few dollars.

Keep in mind that 6870 groups are in very short supply right now. Hardly anyone has them in stock. If they are in stock then they are likely to be 53/39 cranks and short rear derailleurs.

If the bike has internal routing for Di2 then swapping should not be a big deal. You will need patience and don't expect to get everything exactly correct the first time. Small things like grommets and the correct wire length can stop the build. See Niner RLT 9 RDO Build for my build thread featuring lots of info about Di2.


-Tim-

I just switched from SRAM Red to ultegra (on my new bike) but not DI2 or UI2. It all works and aside from the "my battery died mid-ride" stories, people seem to really like DI2. No reason not to do it but is there really no model bike with electronic shifting on it for you? Seems like a PITB to switch it all out.

Thread drift.

Jeez, I wish I had caught this before I did my Di2 build. The Junction A rubber strap stopped me for a bit, you are correct that Shimano is less then helpful in that they should have stated “Trim the strap with scissors so that the strap is tight and secure with no excess to interfere with the junction mounting, also trim BOTH sides of the strap equally so that the Shimano name on the top of the stem on the strap is centered”. And of course I pondered the battery parts including the washers and ring clip, before finally testing if just the Ritchey mount wrapped around the battery and shoved up inside the post would hold. It does, nothing complicated about it.

I much prefer Di2 to Force 22.

Or skip the strap entirely...and get a headset spacer arm/clip for the junction.


https://fairwheelbikes.com/fair-whee...eadset-spacer/


I use a Fourier's mount:


Fourier's Alloy Di2 Junction Box Mount - Fit Werx

Thanks for the links

My old bike had Sram Force 22 and my new bike has 6870 Di2 and it was a huge upgrade. It shifts so smoothly, I have to look down sometimes to see if it really shift.

I have Di2 and Force 22. Just as happy to ride either.
Obviously a different feel to each, but both shift very well.

I did it for about 1/2 that with the wireless unit around Christmas of 2016 ordering from UK. Was just a mechanical 6870 upgrade as I already had usable crank, cassette, brakes, etc. I did have to get a long cage RD, but I was able to find a short cage mechanical 6870-SS for $30 from the same site and just swapped the cages between the two.

An "upgrade" kit is different then a soup to nuts. Is the 6870 mechanical ?, I thought that was the Di2, could be wrong.

If you have 11 spd Shimano current, even 105 (5800), the 8050 upgrade is about $1,000. $900 if you don't do a WiFi unit and extra cable for that. I just did this with a 5800 crank, b-bracket and brakes. I also had a new'ish cassette but put a new chain on. the 6870 Di2 upgrades are maybe $100 cheaper.

Yes, upgrade kit. Was $700 from UK with a GS about a year ago. Added a SS mechanical and the ANT+/BT for under $100 and swapped the cages. 5800 or even 6800 brakes can be found on eBay for under $100 easy.

Point being, It can be done for way less than $1600.

Yes, you are correct and I should have been clearer that my $1600 quote was the whole system - shifters, both derailers, crank, b-bracket, cassette, chain, brakes, charger, junctions and cables and a WiFi unit. Texas Cyclesport (USA obviously) was the cheapest I found for the basic 8050 upgrade - shifters, derailers, junctions and cables, charger and WiFi and ran slightly over $1000. Interestingly enough, the 6870 basic upgrades I’ve seen are only about $100 cheaper.

Actually, if I were going to convert a bike, it would be to SRAM eTap and not to Di2. I have both on bikes and I actually like the eTap better than Di2. I never thought I'd say that because I've been a diehard Shimano fan for decades and Di2 is so darn good. And I absolutely hated the SRAM mech.

I had a frame that was built for a mech group so it would have been difficult to run the Di2 wires. I wanted electric shifting so I went with eTap. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that I liked it and I liked it a lot. Works really well and it's such a clean installation with no wires. I was also surprised to discover that I like the ergonomics of the levers better.

J.