It's Michael Schumacher weather in Suzuka. Streams of water flow over the race track, where the Kerpen native is the record winner in Formula 1 with six victories. The weather couldn't have been better to really put Shimano's Dura-Ace Di2 through its paces during the first test. After all, it was leakage problems, among other things, that killed off the very first electronic road bike drivetrain from Mavic (launched in 1993).
Out of the pit lane and onto the track. At the end of the downhill starting straight, Formula 1 cars can reach speeds of more than 300 kilometres per hour. On a racing bike, the gentle gradient means you can barely reach 60 km/h. Then the first bend, banked, large radius, slightly uphill. Third gear for a racing car, speed 145 km/h. On a racing bike with electric gears, a light tap with your index finger on the shift button on the brake lever - and the chain quickly shifts to a larger sprocket. The required lever travel is minimal and the position of the shifters corresponds to the shifting logic of the mechanical Shimano grips. Then the piste climbs further through a combination of bends. With a few taps on the front shift button, the chain moves further inwards - smoothly, quickly, precisely, with the motor humming audibly.
SHORT & SHORT
The Dura-Ace Di2 is the first complete electronic groupset for road bikes. The shifters, front derailleur and shift-brake levers complement the mechanical Dura-Ace 7900, which will be available as either an electronic or mechanical groupset. During the first test ride, the Di2 proved to be extremely precise and waterproof. The front derailleur shifts with unprecedented precision. However, the grips take some getting used to. It is easy to confuse the shift buttons at first.
Downloads:
download
