donrhummy

Has anyone tried the new Ultegra Di2? How does it compare to the previous version? To Dura-Ace?

robbyville

I don't believe it's out yet, I know that it's not available through suppliers as aftermarket items yet. Theoretically it's the same performance as DA but heavier since items such as motors are off the shelf vs. made by Shimano, materials, etc.

i know the ultegra mechanical version is off the same building process as DA and functions almost exactly the same.

JimF22003

I have the first generation of DA Di2 on one bike and Ultegra Di2 on another. They function identically. I would expect the same thing of the newer generation of each.

robbyville

Plus both are now on the same e-tube platform which hopefully will allow some cross utilization. i.e. A DA 9070 rear derailleur which has a max gear of 28t but the mid cage Ultegra (if offered in DI2 we don't know yet) allows up to 32t. Potentially allowing the ability to swap rear derailleurs and cassettes (not to say the hassle would be worth it, just a thought)

imhuskertko

Based on what my LBS told me last week when I tried to order my new bike with the 6870 group, not many if any will be riding it until after the first of the year. He was told that Shimano is delaying shipment of the Ultergra 6870 Di2 group to OEM and aftermarket sales until around Feb 2014, not due to supply issues, but evidently Shimano is revamping its distribution channels for the electronic groups. Supposedly, it has no affect on the mechanical groups though.

spdntrxi

^ yes latest rumblings are 2014... fine by more...gotta save $$$ for it. It's the last upgrade I want to do to the wifes' bike.

donrhummy

The new Ultegra has new, smaller, more efficient motors.

donrhummy

I hope this isn't true. I ordered 6870 and don't want to wait till February.

marcpotash

I ordered my 2014 Giant Defy Advanced 0 with Di2 6870 in August, the day when they were first able to be ordered. It lools like early 2014. The 6800 non Di2 is in now.

gilaasepeda

Cant wait for 6870 hit on lbs, save $ from now hope they stock long cage 32t

robbyville

I'm also looking forward to see if they end up doing the long cage in DI2 version. Don't know that I would get one since my 34x28 worked really well for me even on a ride with 12,000 ft of climbing and some pretty steep pitches but having that extra gear might have been nice.

marcpotash

The long cage 32t requires a different derailleur then the 28t cassette.

robbyville

yup I know, that's why I mentioned it up above. We're looking forward to seeing if they offer the DI2 Ultegra in a long cage version since current DA DI2 rear derailleur only allows up to 28t

john.b

They are, according to the Velonews story from the Di2 6870 announcement:

Edit:

Bikeradar agreed:

Just waiting to see pricing for the shipping version...

robbyville

Awesome thanks for posting! Nice to hear that it will also be upward compatible with 9070. Doubt that the inconvenience would be worthwhile but theoretically I guess one could swap between 9070 and 6780 rear derailleur, larger cassette, and maybe a couple of chain links for big time climbing rides. I could see myself doing this if I do the Copper Triangle next year or some high altitude big climb event.

marcpotash

As someone, (not a racer and not that powerful a rider), who lives in Colorado and rides mostly in the mountains +Ride The Rockies. I think that the 11-28 cassette configuration is fine, so a 32t cassette is unnecessary. That's assuming you have a compact double, 50-34. If you have a standard double, 53-39, the 2014 ultegra crank now accepts all chainring configurations, including compact. So it would be cheaper to change the crank chainrings to 50-34. For the lowest gear a compact double with a 28t cassette is the same ratio as a standard double with a 32t cassette.

Gearhead65

Ordered 6870 Di2 yesterday from Germany and got shipment notification this morning...FWIW

robbyville

Holy crap, great to hear. Send pics when you get it, am very curious to see how they got to the same dimensions as 9070 since I know that the servos are different. I was looking at some inventory (on full bikes), that I have access to and the earliest any of their 6870 equipped models were being shipped was March, granted that could be frame related and not parts related.

Very cool

donrhummy

Are you sure it's not 6770? I had contacted a bike store and they made that mistake (luckily we caught it in time).

Gearhead65

LOL! Yes. Certain.

linus

Starbike has them in stock

ianSWBB

Yes, have had a quick go on a test bike. Rides and feels just like the 6770 (obviously with an extra sprocket!), but the derailleurs look more stylish!
Levers slightly different - my small hands fitted nicely on the hoods!

We have sets available, depending on which spec you want - e.g the GS rear mechs we don't have yet, so only upto the 28t cassette option
We don't have the hydraulic disc brake option yet - it'll be the New Year for those!

regards
ianSWBB

Gearhead65

Thats where I ordered from. Great prices on most the components.
I did order the cables stateside though for better pricing.

donrhummy

I read it was quieter in shifting than 6770. Was that true?

ianSWBB

donrhummy
our test was at a dealer day, rather than actually physically having it in our workshop, so there was a bit of a bun fight as we all lined up to have a go
to that end, we only got about 5 miles or so on it, before the next dealer took over for a tryout. so it was a bit rush rush. thinking back, I don't remember a noticeable difference in shifting noise between it and the 6770. would need to go for a longer ride to assess further
regards, ianSWBB