Di2 Climbing Shifter
#1
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From: Canada
Bikes: 2021 Trek Emonda SL7, 2020 Trek P1 Domane SLR7
Di2 Climbing Shifter
Anyone have any experience with the Shimano R600 climbing shifter? I'm planning a Di2 install shortly and wondering just how essential this little guy is in practice. Looking for user stories opinions.
Warmly
SkepticalOne
Warmly

SkepticalOne
#2
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Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Minnesota
Bikes: N+1=5
Essential? Probably not. Nice - sure. But it's a little large. I'm going to go this hack on my bike.
You can take the sprinter'sswitches that fit (I think that's the link) under the handlebar tape and make the up/down shifter to replace the climbing shifter. It's a cleaner installation more like what you can do with the eTap blips.
FWIW, I have both an eTap bike and a Di2 bike. If I had it to do over, I'd probably go all to eTap. The Di2 bike is a more refined shift but the eTap installation is much cleaner and the blips are just brilliant for shifting while climbing AND you can shift both derailleurs.
You can take the sprinter'sswitches that fit (I think that's the link) under the handlebar tape and make the up/down shifter to replace the climbing shifter. It's a cleaner installation more like what you can do with the eTap blips.
FWIW, I have both an eTap bike and a Di2 bike. If I had it to do over, I'd probably go all to eTap. The Di2 bike is a more refined shift but the eTap installation is much cleaner and the blips are just brilliant for shifting while climbing AND you can shift both derailleurs.
Last edited by JohnJ80; 05-12-18 at 04:01 PM.
#3
- Soli Deo Gloria -
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 14,779
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From: Northwest Georgia
Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix
I built a Di2 bike in the spring of 2017 intending to add climbing shifters later on. 14 months and 2000+ miles later I still have not added them and don't feel like I have any need to spend the $85.
I should have saved the money and not bought the wireless unit either.
-Tim-
I should have saved the money and not bought the wireless unit either.
-Tim-
#4
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Joined: Nov 2012
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From: Palm Desert, CA
Bikes: Speedvagen Steel
I’m not using the climbing shifter this time around due to my ego and wanting to keep my paint matched integrated bar/stem clean... but I do miss it. For me one of the best parts of DI2 is the remote shifting capabilities. I used the shifter all the time on my last bike, I still constantly push a phantom button when climbing on the tops. One day soon I’m sure my ego will give up to practicality and I’ll put another one on!
#5
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,681
Likes: 253
From: Minnesota
Bikes: N+1=5
I’m not using the climbing shifter this time around due to my ego and wanting to keep my paint matched integrated bar/stem clean... but I do miss it. For me one of the best parts of DI2 is the remote shifting capabilities. I used the shifter all the time on my last bike, I still constantly push a phantom button when climbing on the tops. One day soon I’m sure my ego will give up to practicality and I’ll put another one on!
Here is where SRAM has done a really nice job. Their blips can be attached to the bars with double sided tape for a very clean installation. Put them wherever you want and because of the shifting strategy, you get full functionality.
J.
#6
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Joined: Nov 2012
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From: Palm Desert, CA
Bikes: Speedvagen Steel
Do the hack and mount the buttons under your tape.
Here is where SRAM has done a really nice job. Their blips can be attached to the bars with double sided tape for a very clean installation. Put them wherever you want and because of the shifting strategy, you get full functionality.
J.
Here is where SRAM has done a really nice job. Their blips can be attached to the bars with double sided tape for a very clean installation. Put them wherever you want and because of the shifting strategy, you get full functionality.
J.
#7
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Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Minnesota
Bikes: N+1=5
my eTap installation. I have a carbon bar that has flat tops and with tape on them they are too bulky. So I have the blips mounted on the underside towards the front where I can use them with my middle fingers when my hands are on the flats. The wire comes out of the bar about there. The blips are anchored with double sided sticky tape that can be moved (not permanent and no damage if you remove them). The buttons are so small that you don’t see them and they work great.
I think the sprinters switches are just a
switch closure. If so, you could probably even use the Sram blips splices to the Shimano cable end. But you’d have to check that and verify it.
#9
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Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Minnesota
Bikes: N+1=5





