Di2, I've been a Sram guy for a few years but have recently tried out a couple of bikes with the new Ultegra and I can say if I had to replace my Force grouppo tomorrow i would go Ultegra, I also have tried Di2 and found it amazing along with the price.

I only have this to add in regards to Di2:

Heard about a local racer who has it, and when loading his bike in the car somehow a shift lever was held down or something and.... you guessed it, battery power was run dry by the time he got to the race!!

But somehow the guy rigged up a cell phone charger (or something) to recharge it, and did so. True story, at least that's how it was told to me recently.

Or is this just a modern urban legend?

If price isn't a concern, I could use a new group for my road bike. I am completely broke and would like to get rid of my triples for something like a SRAM Apex or Rival group with a little 53/39 loving, and some real shifters finally. Oh, and go with Red.

I know this is not really the point of this thread, but assuming you are a racer and do Time Trials or stage races with TTs DI2 is the best thing possible for a TT bike. On a regular road bike, the advantage is relatively minimal. Your hands are in the same places, and you can still shift well either way, on a TT bike, the advantage of being able to shift at both the aerobar and the break lever positions is well worth the extra money.

That is until the UCI bans it at least. If it makes it another 5 years, I will call it the future, but until then, I have my doubts.

Merlin

Have you tried Red?

I tried it didn't get on with double tap.

I think Di2 is too first generation. I rode it (150km over a weekend) and it shifted flawlessly. For pure bling's sake the battery and the cables were an eye sore.

My vote:

- If you get an internally routed Di2 frame then get Di2

Personally I would get 7900 and upgrade other parts. maybe go full custom on the frame.

Hey, it's a great "problem" to have!

i noticed this on my first and only experience of riding with some who had DI2. later.

We live in a digital world.....Di2 is how I'm going when my 7800 setup needs replaced.
I'm looking forward to ridding myself of cables and maddening derailleur adjustments.

Right now I'm leaning toward waiting until next year, or at least until 2011 models are out.

Im hoping a couple of things come together in that time frame: 1) Cervelo comes out with a Di2 internally routed frame (I like Cervelos, and my LBS just started carrying them); 2) Metrigear gets the Vector, pedal based, power meter to market ( so I don't have to take the DA crank off), and 3) maybe a bit of a price drop.

Not much help to the OP’s original question, but I think people mostly like what they’re used to.

Case in point, when I bought a new bike I switched from all 7800 to Rival mixed with Shimano drive-train (7900 crank, ultegra chain and cassette). At first I didn’t like the mostly SRAM group for some of the reasons mentioned in this thread—my hands were used to the 7800 levers, 7800 was quieter etc etc. But as I started to ride my new bike almost exclusively, I started to like the Rival more and more – the positive action shifting, the ability to pivot the right hand shifter close to the drops to shift while sprinting, even the smaller/flatter shape of the hoods etc. etc. As I rode my new bike almost exclusively I started to think Rival was better than 7800.

Now, the new bike honeymoon period is over, so I use both bikes equally and I appreciate both groups for what they are. 7800 is definitely smoother, quieter (almost like the old style friction shifting sometimes), but I love the mechanical feel of the SRAM system in situations where I want to be 100% positive of my gear selection.

Bottom line: I personally prefer the 7800 bike if I’m riding alone and can appreciate its silky smooth quietness. When racing or doing group rides I prefer SRAM, when these qualities don’t matter and the SRAM characteristics I mentioned above matter more to me.

No doubt electronic is the future but I agree with rollin, it's so first generation. It will get better and I like the potential of electronic, assuming they implement them in the head units, like automatic shifting, programmed shifting (for intervals), gearing numbers, smart gearing linked to a power meter, etc. The list is huge. But...it's going to take a head unit that cares and something this industry rarely does, implement features riders want before the next generation stuff comes out. See Garmin for examples. I do believe we'll all be riding electronic at some point. That's probably 1 or 2 bikes away for most of us though.

If prices isn't a factor, then of course DI2.

But if reality sets in (i.e. I'm paying for it) then Red all the way! SRAM is great and the value is right up there.

If cost isn't a factor, Di2 for sure.

The Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 is the shiznit... I've ridden it and it works flawlessly as long as it is set up right. It shifts lightning fast and you can upshift from the small ring to the big ring while standing on the pedal. It's nice... very nice! The battery should last more than 500-600 miles of use before needing a charge.

For those of you who want to upgrade your Dura-Ace 7900 to Di2, the cost is around $2200.

SRAM Red is good, but not as quiet, slick, FAST or unique. Is it worth the asking price? Maybe.