It has been more than 10 years since the Shimano Di2, an electronic shifting group from the well-known manufacturer of components, appeared for the first time in the professional peloton. With many small changes, new features, groundbreaking innovations and exciting details, Di2 still stands for first-class and high-quality shifting performance.
As early as 2010, the electronic shifting group called Shimano Di2 appeared for the first time in the professional peloton. At that time it was the Basque team Euskatel, which was already on the road with a Di2 groupset a year before the introduction of the new cutting-edge technology.
What does Di2 actually stand for?
Digital Integrated Intelligence - or simply Di2 - is one of the most influential milestones in cycling and now has victories in every professional race in the world. In the last 10 years, the Tour de France alone has been won 7 times with a Shimano Di2 groupset.
After hours of research and countless prototypes, the new, electronic Dura-Ace 10 Di7970 was able to replace the ancient mechanical shifting system with cable pulls with a wired electronic system powered by an external battery more than 2 years ago. Even if the technology was met with a lot of opposition back then, it is now the absolute gold standard.
The next leap in innovation came about 2 years later when the Shimano Di2 group was equipped with 11 gears. In the course of this further development, however, a whole series of other groundbreaking improvements were also introduced. These include the four-armed cranks, the double-jointed rim brakes and a smaller, lighter front derailleur. In addition, the Shimano engineers were able to optimize the system ergonomics and improve the buttons on the shift levers so that they make shifting easier in every riding position.
At the same time, the integration of the battery was introduced for a clean look, as there was the option of hiding the junction box in the frame or handlebars for a more elegant line. In the software area, the E-TUBE Project software now enables individual adjustment of the gearshift via a multi-shift function, with which the driver can program the switches, which we know today via app control.
Another highlight was when Di2013 technology was also available for the cheaper Ultegra platform in 2. Due to the high demand and acceptance, they wanted to make this high-quality and innovative technology available not only to professional cyclists, but also to ambitious hobby athletes.
At that time, the Shimano Ultegra Di2 was launched directly as an 11-speed group and used the same electronic technology as the Dura-Ace Di2. But there was one special feature, because the rear derailleur was offered in two versions, with the GS version with a long cage being able to operate a larger 32-tooth sprocket.
The mountain bike as inspiration for new Shimano Di2 features?
With the introduction of the Shimano Dura-Ace R9150, the first hydraulic disc brake was also seamlessly integrated into the Di2 family. The influence of mountain bike technology wasn't limited to disc brakes, however. New, flat Shadow RD rear derailleurs, suitable for sprockets with up to 30 teeth, made the Shimano Di2 even more versatile. This much to the delight of a wide range of rider types looking for more variety in terms of terrain and challenge.
In addition, Shimano's first double-sided power meter crank was offered as an option. This included a crankset with a completely new look; the much larger, asymmetrical crank arms should improve shifting and reduce weight. Of course, after its introduction, the power meter quickly became an important tool at all levels in training and racing.
A year later they also brought the hydraulic disc brakes for Ultegra. In addition, the changing and increasingly adventurous demands of sporty riders were answered by the introduction of a 34T cassette.
Shimano Di2 goes off-road
Now that the Shimano Di2 had established itself on the road, the new GRX group made the same technological advantages available to gravel riders as well. A new groupset specifically for Gravel bikes has been launched in a variety of options, either mechanical or electronic, with 10- and 11-speed rear derailleurs and both 1- and 2-speed cranks. With such a wealth of possibilities, the GRX series was well equipped for every application and every type of gravel sector and at the same time future-oriented.
The GRX800 series forms the top of the range, delivering Di2 technology in both 2x and 1x configurations via completely redesigned brake/shift levers. The GRX Di2 is at home on gravel and benefits from the proven durability and reliability that a decade of Dura-Ace Di2 has brought. It promises the same flawless shifting function on gravel tours, even in the most difficult conditions, wet and dirty.
Shimano Di2 Dura-Ace and Ultegra - 12-speed and semi-wireless
Uncompromising performance, 12-speed drive and wireless - Shimano shows all of this in its latest lineup. With the slogan "For those who never compromise", Shimano presents its new Dura-Ace groupset and wants to underline the uncompromising performance of its latest high-end racing bike circuit. As a further highlight, the brand new Shimano Dura-Ace comes with a new, cheaper Ultegra shifting group in the slipstream.
The biggest innovation should catch the eye directly, because with a 12-speed cassette, which also fits on 11-speed rotors, the range is now significantly increased and in the course of this also offers other interesting improvements and features, such as new brake shifters with revised ergonomics. In detail, Shimano uses a raised grip head with a slight inward curve and also offers an enlarged surface between the shifter and the handlebars, this not only gives you a more comfortable and safer index finger and thumb grip on the grip heads, but also brings the three fingers behind the brake lever completely between the shifter and the handlebars to provide additional control with greater comfort.
From a technical point of view, a major change in the entire Dura-Ace and Ultegra platform also comes into play here, because since the new Shimano Dura-Ace (and also Ultegra) are wireless shifting groups, there are no longer any cables that can be used for the control of the derailleur and rear derailleur must be routed through the frame. So the shifters work with a wireless connection. This allows for a quick and easy assembly process while providing a clean cockpit with an attractive look.
Of course, the new wireless shifters also need the corresponding counterpart in order to be able to receive and process the transmitted signal. The new Shimano Dura-Ace and Ultegra rear derailleurs play a crucial role here, because with the new platform they no longer only act as gear changers, but also play a central role in controlling the entire system. On the one hand, the rear derailleur is the point at which the new Dura-Ace and Ultegra are loaded, on the other hand it is also the receiver for the signal that comes from the shifters. Using its own protocol, Shimano guarantees reliable function and significantly minimizes the susceptibility of the wireless connection, while the switching speed has been significantly increased.
As an additional, essential topic, the braking system has also been completely revised. With the new Servo Wave technology, inherited from Shimano's MTB and Gravel braking systems, riders have a shorter distance until the brake engages and can create a more direct connection between the brake pads and brake discs, which allows for better modulation of the brakes, which leads to more confidence in technical situations. In addition, 10% wider pad and disc clearances have enabled a significantly quieter system, achieved through less thermal distortion of the rotor and less transient interference between the pad and rotor.
The new crankset is now available on both Dura-Ace and Ultegra levels as a power meter. The new Ultegra and Dura-Ace collections are rounded off by a comprehensive wheel lineup from climbing wheels to all-rounders and highly aerodynamic models.