R8170 Battery Life.
#1
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R8170 Battery Life.
Hi,
probably anyone is aware of the fact, the new Ultegra battery life for wireless connection is around 1000km. However, I am looking for the actual data/test conditions on how this distance has been determined.
I've checked tech spec, searched in the internet, even wrote to Shimano (no answer
), and I haven't found anything reliable.
Only here (https://road.cc/content/tech-news/sh...i2-only-285923) there is something more:
That battery is said to last 1,000km (625 miles) between charges, although the exact distance will obviously vary depending on use (if you want the details, Shimano’s calculation is based on riding 45km (28 miles) and two hours per day, with 54 front derailleur shifts and 370 rear derailleur shifts per ride; the temperature is 25°C – hopeful for the UK – and this figure assumes no Bluetooth or ANT+ communications).
Thank you
probably anyone is aware of the fact, the new Ultegra battery life for wireless connection is around 1000km. However, I am looking for the actual data/test conditions on how this distance has been determined.
I've checked tech spec, searched in the internet, even wrote to Shimano (no answer

Only here (https://road.cc/content/tech-news/sh...i2-only-285923) there is something more:
That battery is said to last 1,000km (625 miles) between charges, although the exact distance will obviously vary depending on use (if you want the details, Shimano’s calculation is based on riding 45km (28 miles) and two hours per day, with 54 front derailleur shifts and 370 rear derailleur shifts per ride; the temperature is 25°C – hopeful for the UK – and this figure assumes no Bluetooth or ANT+ communications).
Thank you
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I don't think you will ever find that data. If I was a manufacturer I wouldn't give it. The figures you posted sound more like marketing speak than anything else. To me there are too many variables to give an actual number. Plus why 1000 km? Why not 1123 km? I will answer my own question, it is because it is easy to round to the closest thousand.
From what I hear you can double the amount of your battery life by wiring the shifters instead of going wireless.
Of course I could be very wrong about this.
From what I hear you can double the amount of your battery life by wiring the shifters instead of going wireless.
Of course I could be very wrong about this.
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The battery life is long enough, and the low-battery warnings are so apparent, that the precise battery life is pretty much irrelevant for 99%+ of riders.
Also bear in mind that there is NO precise number, as it depends on how often you shift -- and what you're shifting. FD shifts take significantly more power than RD shifts.
Also bear in mind that there is NO precise number, as it depends on how often you shift -- and what you're shifting. FD shifts take significantly more power than RD shifts.
#4
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Yeah, that's true what you both said however this is why having this data will give a reference, and from my perspective is crucial. It's a huge difference if it is 1000km in 25degrees with no FD moves, or 1000km in 0 with 500 FD moves...
I am an ultracyclist, and I believe that such framesets as Dogma F, are more to be wireless.
I am an ultracyclist, and I believe that such framesets as Dogma F, are more to be wireless.
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Yeah, that's true what you both said however this is why having this data will give a reference, and from my perspective is crucial. It's a huge difference if it is 1000km in 25degrees with no FD moves, or 1000km in 0 with 500 FD moves...
I am an ultracyclist, and I believe that such framesets as Dogma F, are more to be wireless.
I am an ultracyclist, and I believe that such framesets as Dogma F, are more to be wireless.
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Hi,
probably anyone is aware of the fact, the new Ultegra battery life for wireless connection is around 1000km. However, I am looking for the actual data/test conditions on how this distance has been determined.
I've checked tech spec, searched in the internet, even wrote to Shimano (no answer
), and I haven't found anything reliable.
Only here (https://road.cc/content/tech-news/sh...i2-only-285923) there is something more:
That battery is said to last 1,000km (625 miles) between charges, although the exact distance will obviously vary depending on use (if you want the details, Shimano’s calculation is based on riding 45km (28 miles) and two hours per day, with 54 front derailleur shifts and 370 rear derailleur shifts per ride; the temperature is 25°C – hopeful for the UK – and this figure assumes no Bluetooth or ANT+ communications).
Thank you
probably anyone is aware of the fact, the new Ultegra battery life for wireless connection is around 1000km. However, I am looking for the actual data/test conditions on how this distance has been determined.
I've checked tech spec, searched in the internet, even wrote to Shimano (no answer

Only here (https://road.cc/content/tech-news/sh...i2-only-285923) there is something more:
That battery is said to last 1,000km (625 miles) between charges, although the exact distance will obviously vary depending on use (if you want the details, Shimano’s calculation is based on riding 45km (28 miles) and two hours per day, with 54 front derailleur shifts and 370 rear derailleur shifts per ride; the temperature is 25°C – hopeful for the UK – and this figure assumes no Bluetooth or ANT+ communications).
Thank you
I can't imagine shifting the FD 54 times over a 28 mile ride, the RD, based on where you are at, I could see the numbers being high. While I had the 11 speed, my di2 battery lasted a long time, well over 625 miles and I live in Florida, with temps far in excess of 25C. I had the bike for a couple of years and put almost 3100 miles before I sold it, and I think I charged it 3 or 4 times, so lets say I would get 750 to 850 miles a charge.
edit: And even then, when I did charge it, I still had quite a bit of battery left, I just made it a habit of charging once I got down to around 30-40%
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Last edited by jaxgtr; 04-05-23 at 07:34 PM.
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So I have some real world results for you. I ride a combination of rollers, hill climbing, flats. Pretty much everything and in all kinds of weather except rain and snow. I have been getting the 1,000km battery charge as cited by Shimano. I am sometimes a miser with my shifting, trying to eek out as much battery life as possible and sometimes shifting at will. Because I am interested in battery life between charges, I am tracking the most recent battery charge versus where I am out with KMs on the current charge. When it comes time to charge up the battery again, I will report back and let you know. I have been riding in temperatures ranging from 4 to 13 degrees, although the majority of the rides have been in the single digits. When not riding I am keeping the bike indoors where it is heated.
#8
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So I have some real world results for you. I ride a combination of rollers, hill climbing, flats. Pretty much everything and in all kinds of weather except rain and snow. I have been getting the 1,000km battery charge as cited by Shimano. I am sometimes a miser with my shifting, trying to eek out as much battery life as possible and sometimes shifting at will. Because I am interested in battery life between charges, I am tracking the most recent battery charge versus where I am out with KMs on the current charge. When it comes time to charge up the battery again, I will report back and let you know. I have been riding in temperatures ranging from 4 to 13 degrees, although the majority of the rides have been in the single digits. When not riding I am keeping the bike indoors where it is heated.
Last edited by rublow; 04-19-23 at 01:47 AM.
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Charge time on the battery is not quick. It would take mine, 2 to 3 hours to go from 30% to full charge.
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i'd assume friction to influence battery life too. If the system is gritnasty & caked with mud, it'll drive for harder forceful shifts = more juice required.
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#11
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I don't think you will ever find that data. If I was a manufacturer I wouldn't give it. The figures you posted sound more like marketing speak than anything else. To me there are too many variables to give an actual number. Plus why 1000 km? Why not 1123 km? I will answer my own question, it is because it is easy to round to the closest thousand.
From what I hear you can double the amount of your battery life by wiring the shifters instead of going wireless.
Of course I could be very wrong about this.
From what I hear you can double the amount of your battery life by wiring the shifters instead of going wireless.
Of course I could be very wrong about this.
Approx. 1,000 km. Calculation conditions: Distance: 45km/day, Riding time: 2h/day, FD shifts: 54 times/day, RD shifts: 370 times/day. Not include BLE/ANT+ communications. At 25 degrees C.
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That's sad. I ride up hills (lots of ups and downs so lots of shifting) 90% of the time and my R8070 usually lasts over 2000kms.
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Still too early in the season to tell. I can tell you I have 580km on the current charge though. I will let you know when the system alerts me that it is time to charge the Di2 again. I do not know if the shifter are operational while the system is charging. I have not given it a try.
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The 12sp Di2 charges at the RD and I have confirmed that both RD & FD will not function while charging.
The 12sp rim has wired only brifters, resulting in better seatpost battery life.
The 12sp disc has brifters that can be wireless or wired.
Personally, the next time I have to re-tape my bars I'm looking into wiring my ultegra brifters.
Issue being the concealed cables in the stem & frame.
I don't like the idea of having disposable batteries in the brifters.
I'd have been happier if they were the more common CR2032, but Shimano chose the less common & smaller CR1632.
Ultegra & DA get one battery in each brifter, 105 gets two in each..... weird!
Barry
The 12sp rim has wired only brifters, resulting in better seatpost battery life.
The 12sp disc has brifters that can be wireless or wired.
Personally, the next time I have to re-tape my bars I'm looking into wiring my ultegra brifters.
Issue being the concealed cables in the stem & frame.
I don't like the idea of having disposable batteries in the brifters.
I'd have been happier if they were the more common CR2032, but Shimano chose the less common & smaller CR1632.
Ultegra & DA get one battery in each brifter, 105 gets two in each..... weird!
Barry
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Ok, I have an update for you. My Garmin head unit advised me of a low battery for the Di2 system at 1,182km. I decided to charge the battery then and not let it run down any longer. Hope that helps.
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Hi,
probably anyone is aware of the fact, the new Ultegra battery life for wireless connection is around 1000km. However, I am looking for the actual data/test conditions on how this distance has been determined.
I've checked tech spec, searched in the internet, even wrote to Shimano (no answer
), and I haven't found anything reliable.
Only here (https://road.cc/content/tech-news/sh...i2-only-285923) there is something more:
That battery is said to last 1,000km (625 miles) between charges, although the exact distance will obviously vary depending on use (if you want the details, Shimano’s calculation is based on riding 45km (28 miles) and two hours per day, with 54 front derailleur shifts and 370 rear derailleur shifts per ride; the temperature is 25°C – hopeful for the UK – and this figure assumes no Bluetooth or ANT+ communications).
Thank you
probably anyone is aware of the fact, the new Ultegra battery life for wireless connection is around 1000km. However, I am looking for the actual data/test conditions on how this distance has been determined.
I've checked tech spec, searched in the internet, even wrote to Shimano (no answer

Only here (https://road.cc/content/tech-news/sh...i2-only-285923) there is something more:
That battery is said to last 1,000km (625 miles) between charges, although the exact distance will obviously vary depending on use (if you want the details, Shimano’s calculation is based on riding 45km (28 miles) and two hours per day, with 54 front derailleur shifts and 370 rear derailleur shifts per ride; the temperature is 25°C – hopeful for the UK – and this figure assumes no Bluetooth or ANT+ communications).
Thank you
Last edited by eduskator; 05-15-23 at 06:41 AM.