Shimano Dura-Ace Di2: 12-speed and no more mechanical road bike gears

The new top groupset from Shimano is now only available as a twelve-speed electric groupset. The Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 is partially wireless and promises improved braking power and shifting performance. The front derailleur and rear derailleur are said to shift around twice as fast. One major difference is the power supply: The front derailleur and rear derailleur of the new Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 receive power via cable from a battery, which has to be recharged after around 1000 kilometres. The charging cable is connected directly to the rear derailleur. Communication with the shifters takes place via radio signals. The Dura-Ace Di2 shifters are powered by commercially available CR1632 disposable button cells, which should last up to two years. Optionally, they can also be connected to the central battery by cable. The shifting behaviour of the Di2 can be customised via the E-Tube app.

Shimano Dura-Ace Di2: New shift/brake levers and gear ratios

Visually visible is an ergonomic change to the cockpit: the brake shift levers are curved outwards, which should increase operating comfort, and the control buttons are now easier to distinguish. Higher, inwardly inclined grip humps offer an additional grip position.

The Dura-Ace cassettes are available in 11-30T and 11-34T options. The crank is offered either with or without a built-in power meter. The chainrings are available in combinations of 50-34, 52-36 or 54-40. The crank arm is sold in lengths from 160 to 177.5 millimetres. Shimano promises noise reduction and better braking performance with its Dura-Ace disc brake, which works with the disc from the Shimano XTR mountain bike groupset.

Shimano Dura-Ace only as Di2, but with optional rim brakes

There will also be a Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 version for rim brakes, whereby the brake levers are visually modelled on their predecessor. The rim brakes themselves remain unchanged.

At the same time, the new, cheaper Shimano Ultegra R8100 Di2 with the same technology. The groupsets will be available in stores from October 2021. In terms of price, the Shimano 12-speed Dura-Ace Di2 and Ultegra Di2 road bike components will be around ten per cent cheaper than before.