The Ultegra Di2 has barely been on the market before it forms the basis for a new category of road bikes: the Ultegra Di2 class. No road bike manufacturer of note can afford to miss out on offering a model with Shimano's ingenious e-gear for 2012. Expectations of the groupset are high: it is intended to arouse mass buying desires and take the topic of "electric shifting" out of the niche for well-heeled technology freaks. It is not unlikely that this will work. Complete bikes with Ultegra Di2 are already available for well under €3,000. But the decision in favour of Ultegra Di2 is not based on price alone. The decisive factor will be whether road cyclists can be convinced of the advantages of the new shifting concept.
The current test field already clearly shows where the trend is heading. Only a few frames immediately show that not all aspects of Di2 have been considered in their development. Indications of this are unused inputs for classic cables at Corratec and Fuji or the unattractive plastic holder with which Cannondale, Corratec, Fuji, Koga and Stevens attach the battery to the down tube. Most manufacturers have already managed to integrate the Di2 perfectly. Some have already provided existing frame platforms with holes for the Di2 cables and have omitted the cable stops. Aesthetically, this is a clean solution, but it means a lot of effort in production and storage, as two versions of the same frame are required. To avoid this dilemma, Cube, Felt, Stevens and Trek have designed the cable ducts in such a way that conventional cables or electric cables can be fitted as required. Theoretically, it is also possible to "retrofit" mechanical gears, although this is unlikely to happen in practice. Another important distinguishing feature of the Di2 racers is the position of the battery on the frame. Whether on or under the down tube, in the centre under the bottom bracket or under the left chainstay - the variety of solutions is considerable, although the decision in favour of a particular position is largely a matter of taste.
You can find the test results below as a PDF download.
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