marc m

I have ultegra now, but wife says she will buy me the DI2 upgrade or complete Dura Ace (or Sram Red).
I wasnt considering the Red, but between the DI2 and the Dura Ace.... any opinions? Any bad on U DI2?
Thanks...

jtwilson

IMHO, U Di2 is an ugly, 1st gen 'budget' electronic groupset that is only really worth it if you gotta have electronic and can't afford DA Di2. I would go Dura Ace mechanical and hold off on 'budget' electronic groupsets until they are a bit more refined.

LOGICK ONE

This.

thirdgenbird

i would like to say U Di2 from a value standpoint but then again it is very ugly and heavy to boot. im also not a fan of the button placement or lack of feel on Di2. i am a campy guy but given your choices i would go dura ace (if you really are ruling out red)

DRietz

Go with the Dura Ace mechanical. It'll shift just as well while not looking nearly as ugly (but still quite ugly compared to Campy's Italian beauty... )

And for turkey's sake, stay the HELL away from SRAM.

sqharaway

Fixed. Go with Red!

alpha_bravo

I can't help but think these electronic groups are going to become much more refined in the next two years. If you've seen Calfee's seat post mounted Di2 battery I think you've got a good idea of where the electronic groups can head soon. There is a lot of room for Shimano and Campy to refine and redesign things.

Like all things electronic they will become lighter, cheaper, and cleaner looking very soon. Moore's Law holds true for more than computers. I'd go with SRAM Red for now. Something electronic on the next bike or in a couple of years.

Rob13

+1

DRietz

We recently built up a Dogma with SRAM Red. Made me want to vomit.

2ndGen

I just finished tuning my Dura Ace 7800 drivetrain today.
After a couple of thousand miles, damn!
It still shifts like an eel in a Teflon skinsuit.

I don't know about the Di2.
But I know that Dura Ace is what it is;
Damn near perfect.

lmcq784

Hey there,

Not to hijack the thred from the OP, but I had a similar question, and was about to start a new thread... currently have '10 Rival on my CX bike, and am thinking about a new road bike... just wondering the same thing... U Di2 or DA or Red...

If I end up going with mechanical, how different is Red from Rival?... and DA from Red? or even Ultegra from Rival? My gf has a 105 bike, but it's 5600, not the current 5700 version (which is much closer to the ergos of my Rival), and I don't like the very bulbous hood...

Any insight would be much appreciated!

2ndGen

IMHO, I'd stick with that Rival.
If you have to go with Shimano,
for a CX bike, 2012 105 5700 all the way.

jdon

A meaningful upgrade..

https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/groups..._GS_CAR&bike=1

ducati hyp

I had the same ? and ordered the ultegra Di2. My research told me that It does all the dura ace unit does and there are some improvements . as for weights DA mech 2149,DA Di2 2219,Ult. mech. 2402 Ult.Di2 2482 these are complete group weights.
Read Nov.road bike mag. and as for advice it's like asking people about travel to countries like mexico , don't ask people that have never been there. = people that have Di2 love them . A good option could be to wait a while if you can because a lot of companies are offering models with the Ultegra Di2 and there should be a lot of them out there soon . In my case my frame needed to be replaced . I figure if I don't like it (nobody that own one has said they don't like them) i'll see the group and go mech and take a small loss, my bet is i'll like it like all of the people that are actual riding them.

patentcad

Profoundly incorrect.

patentcad

And yes, Di2 rocks, I have the D.A. version on my road and TT bikes, I'm sure the Ultegra version also rocks.

JimF22003

I've been using DA Di2 since June very happily. I have another good frame to build up, and had to decide whether to go with Red or mech. DA on it, or something else. I decided to hold off and get Ultegra Di2. Now that I'm so spoiled by the system on one bike, I wouldn't want to go back to anything else. I'm not worried about the weight or looks or whatever of U-Di2. If it's functionally equivalent, or maybe even improved in some respects, such as the wiring options, I'll be happy to use it.

Now if the shop would only get a set in...

fstshrk

I would stick with the mechanical dura-ace.

adamgoldberg

I have a Cervelo RS with Rival; thinking about getting a economical CX frame, moving Rival to it and upgrading to U Di2 on the RS.

Everyone I've talked to that has actually /ridden/ a Di2 raves about it. Those that have only thought about it or read about it are more reticent.

patentcad

It blows. Ultegra or Di2.

ThinLine

Dirt, grime, bashes, water egress and bangs on a cross bike with electronic components sounds like a reciepe for disaster.

DRietz

pcad, in my general experience, a properly tuned Dura Ace mechanical group shifts just as well as Di2. There are still "profound" differences, like lever throw and ergonomics where Di2 wins.

DRietz

Actually, this is where Di2 shines the most - all the cables and connections are completely sealed and waterproof. Once you set up Di2, you never go back and do it again.

The only thing you have to worry about is a bent derailleur hanger. Even a slight bend throws that whole system off.

twodownzero

I wonder if I'm the only person wondering what's wrong with this Ultegra group.

2ndGen

Serious question:
Don't Di2 cables ever stretch and need replacement?

(or dumb question: do they have cables?
You meant "wires" right? As in electronic wires? LOL)