Ultegra Di2 or 2012 SRAM Red
 

I did try to search for some posts on this topic, but the search function appears to be broken right now.

Anyway, I'm in the market for a new group set, and thought I'd pretty much settled on the 2012 SRAM Red group. Turns out if you want that group with anything even slightly out of the 'ordinary' like and Italian BB or a compact crank set, you're pretty much SOL. Any number of vendors have made 'real soon now' statements to me, but none of them have produced anything tangible to date.

While passing the time, I got to looking at the Ultegra Di2 stuff. I read some reviews and was favorably impressed. I also checked into availability with my particular specifications, and it doesn't appear to be a problem. I suppose in the best of all possible worlds, the answer would be the Dura Ace Di2 kit, but I definitely don't have the 'resources' to go that route.

So what do ya think? Wait out the Red kit or go for the Ui2 ?

Thanks...

I'd head down to Livermore Cyclery and give both a try. I saw both groups on bikes when I was recently there.

Bob

Me? I'd go the Ultegra DI2.

J.

I'm going with 2012 Sram Red but Di2 does look pretty sweet. Just not crazy about having to charge another device.

SRAM Red and Ultegra Di2 are not in the same class, regardless of what anybody tells you.

Maybe so but they are two choices...

BTW the compact version should be available very soon. That's the only component that I'm waiting for. BB30 wasn't available so I understand the frustration.

I think they are quite different.

SRAM Red is very light, but will probably still shift like a crash box (OK, maybe 2012 will be a less "mechanical")

Ult Di2 is not light, but will shift like butter

Which do you want?

what do you mean by that? nothing wrong with Red's shifting.

Oy!! Let's not go round and round the same old mulberry bush guys.

I do have some first hand knowledge of the old Utegra (like about 4000 miles worth, but only second hand info on the Red. I understand that the rap on SRAM Red has been less than stellar shifting (noisey, slow), most notably on the front, and that it is ridiculous light. What drew me to SRAM in the first place is their 'exact actuation' technology on the shifters, .e.g., the cable supposedly moves the same distance with each shift. This appealed to me since I've found the Ultegra to be 'fussy' about cable tension in that if it isn't just right, you get poor shifting on one end of the cassette or the other. I was also encouraged to hear that SRAM had addressed the other issues we've all heard about quite effectively in the 2012 version. The weight thing is not on my radar simply because I can do more to adjust that in the bathroom before a ride :D

Plus the new graphics, well, the Red just appeals to my sense of aesthetics. BUT... The going market price on 'unobtanuim' is damned near zero in my book.

Which of course leads me back to the Ultegra Di2. I've heard nothing but raves about the electronic shifting, but I confess to a certain tendency to Luddite-ism, and the battery charge business does make me a bit nerveoux.

So I guess the question is will SRAM get their supply logistics straightened out, say, in a week (or less). That's about the limit of my patience at this point. Yeah, I know, arrested development. But here's the thing, if retailers are keeping me a arm's length about ETA's for the Red stuff, it's probably because their suppliers are doing the same thing to them, which doesn't give me warm fuzzies. In any case, if the answer is likely no, screw it, the Ultegra sounds pretty darned sweet too.

Thanks

I had a chance to ride a new Red bike the other day.

I'd take Ultegra Di2 over it every single time.

count my vote for Ultegra Di2 .

I was in a similar predicament recently and choose neither. I ended up making the switch from SRAM to a Campy Super Record group. So far I'm extremely pleased with the switch.

I ordered from Shiny Bikes and was able to save quite a bit over the new Red going rate. Not sure if you have any interest in throwing Campy into the mix (I wasn't for quite a while), but I'm really happy I did.

I'm a die-hard SRAM lover, but get the Di2. All other things being equal, electronic > mechanical. Go shift the front ring of both groups to prove it to yourself.

I haven't ridden 2012 Red (who has?!) but I would go with it over Di2. I tested a bike with Ultegra Di2 and simply prefer SRAM shifting. I'm a big fan of double tap and having a lighter groupo is always nice. Call me crazy but I didn't think electronic was smoother to the point that that feature alone would determine my groupo choice.

If you have knowledge how to tweak your own bike, go Sram, if not, Di2.

That's the dilemma exactly...

I recently made a build w/ SRAM components and it's head and shoulders far more superior than my Shimano bike (double tap > ).

But in this predicament I'd go Di2 and it's not even a question.

Biscayne,

Could you give me some specifics? In what way(s) do you feel the SRAM is superior, which SRAM group are we talking about, and which Shimano group? Just curious...

Oh, and BTW, yeah, I'm pretty comfortable doing my own wrenching...

Thanks

Do I understand correctly that, strictly speaking, Di2 is just levers and derailleurs (and a battery)? Are Di2 levers and derailleurs compatible with lower-level components (say, 105 crank and brake calipers)?

Yep, my bike has Di2 shifters and derailleurs and not another piece of Shimano equipment on it.

It's not that it's SUPERIOR, but the ergonomics of the hood + double tap mechanics instead of the STIs just simplifies everything. I did a short 1.5 hour ride today and boy that felt great. I only have a Rival at the moment and I cannot imagine how snappier it is for Force-Red. I have a 105 on my other baby although I have tried Ultegra. I think once I'm ready to settle into Force-Red I will transfer my Rival set up to my other bike and get rid of my Shimano parts.

but like what I said, if you got the $, I wouldn't even bother with mechanical SRAM at this point.

I don't claim to be able to tell the difference between a cheap bike and an expensive bike. Stiffness? Vertical compliant? Mostly words. Today I test rode a Supersix and a Synapse. I could certainly tell the difference in how much of the road was transferred to my hands. I my string of test rides, I rode an Synapse Red and today a Supersix Di2. I don't like SRAM doubletap (smaller hands). I had a heck of a time shifting the FD to the large right. But the Di2 was really nice. Just a little bit of pressure and the bike shifted smooth as butter and quiet. The 105 was noisier and felt rougher. No hills any where near my test ride, though. If it were me, I would go for the Di2 instead of Red. I was so impressed with the smoothness of the shifting I would have been tempted to spend more money for Di2, but it's not offered on the Synapse.

Why would smaller hands be an impediment to double tap? You can adjust the levers closer to the bar on SRAM, which is nice I guess. Are you saying it's a matter if not being able to shove the lever over far enough to the side? I guess that's why test rides are important.

I like being able to scare flocks of seagulls as I ride by shifting my SRAM drive-train. That's important to me. Electronic shifting looks pretty whizbang though.

Has anybody tried to marry Di2 to a 11-32 cassette?

I had the choice of Ultegra Di2 and SRAM Red on my latest build. I went with SRAM, for two reasons:

1. Weight
2. I don't care about electronic shifting

The Red group was is really light, and I really enjoy the way the Double-Tap system works. As for those talking about how much noise or how clunky it is, I really haven't noticed. It seems fairly quiet to me. It definitely doesn't make any more noise than the Ultegra group on the bike it replaced, and the shifting is very crisp and positive.