Electronic & Hydraulic Shifting (Di2, Ui2, customisations)

all valid points!

Thanks - sounds good but nothing compelling enough to make me abandon charging on the go. I like the current hood shape (I've got small hands!), and I'm not sure I would really want any lower gearing - I've got super low already.

I've got most of it to move over, just need to get the hydraulic disc levers, and will probably get new junction boxes and cables, so shouldn't be too expensive.

Will most likely get a mechanical group set for current bike and keep it as a spare / winter / touring / shopping and pub bike. Or set it up for gravel rides (not ideal with rim brakes but I only do it about once a year). In practice though I would just change the wheels on new bike for off-road. [Waffles to self....]

If you forget to charge either system for a weekend race, you're an idiot.

Been there, done that!

Not for a race but for an audax - so not quite as bad. TBF it was the first time I used it and hadn't got the hang of charging (not that it is complicated). Having to ride 275km of a 300km audax single speed has helped me remember to check ever since!

don't forget to change the shifter coin batteries too! (as I have done...)

Forgot to say, I'd rather get GRX Di2 than normal ultegra. The shape is pretty good IMO, braking is great

Seconding this. I previously had the Ultegra R8070 hydraulic shifters for a few thousand km's but recently decided to give the RX815 GRX Di2 shifters a go, after long hesitation. I was concerned about the longer bracket body compared to the Ultegras but there were so many positive reviews I wanted to find out what all the rage was about. Having now done a few longer rides with them, I regret not having done the swap earlier. The ergonomics is absolute bliss. I never thought that the feel of the shifters could have such a huge impact on ride comfort. Don't get me wrong, I was fine with the Ultegras but the GRX is a vast step forward. With the GRX I can easily wrap three fingers around the shifter and still have enough room for pivoting the brake lever with just my index finger. Can also wrap four fingers around it when cruising along. Braking is superb with the Servo-Wave (which the R8070s don't have, despite it being mentioned on the box of some of the first units sold; that misleading label was later removed from the box).

The latest 12-speed Di2 shifters also have a longer bracket body and I reckon the feedback from riders using those GRX shifters probably played a role in it. For reference, I'm wearing size 8/M or 9/L glove so not very large hands either, which was a reason for my hesitation with regards to the longer bracket body.

The extra hood buttons are differently positioned on the inside of the hoods rather than on the top, but I'm using them for controlling the bike computer which happens rarely so not a big issue even though I think the buttons are better positioned on the R8070s.

Another thing to worry about. I'll stick to the full wired setup.

I can see this being useful for non-Di2 frames but for my use cases, hiding a few cables and adding button cells isn't worth the hassle.

I'm planning to take the 12s plunge next time abroad and can get hold of a (relatively) cheaper 105 rear mech, cable and the new battery. Everything else in TT world still works thankfully and I was already using a 12s chain.

The new cassette just fits on the old freehub yes?

There's a new freehub but apparently the cassettes are backwards compatible

Yeah it fits straight in

11 speed di2 just about to go onto a new Stella long distance frame for me.

Just can't see the value in 12 speed and I'm a bike shop owner for what its worth.

RX815 GRX Di2 shifters

Thanks, might go for those. I assume they will work with ultegra mechs?
Assuming ultegra front mech works with grx chainset on new frame - most likely will but not guaranteed.

Thanks, good to know you're spending your own money on 11sp!

Grx and ultegra is compatible, however you will find that the chainset is placed a few mm outwards. I had one working the other way round, Ultegra crank and GRX FD, but it was right at the limit of the adjustment.

Would second all of that re the GRX Di2 shifters. The shape would favour smaller hands.

Concur re the button position, but like you I only use them for my Bolt page changes. Most of the time I just use the buttons on the device.

Having said that, there are occasional duff GRX Di2 shifters - I have just exchanged my nearly new left one under warranty due to a fluid leak. I could never really identify where it was coming from for sure. Rare but a known issue.

Sure, chainset is slightly outboard but it has worked fine for me for the last year or so on my current frame so I'm optimistic, just can't guarantee it will work on every frame.

My comment referred to the shifters as I don't have personal experience of them - but I can't see why they wouldn't work ultegra mechs.

The shape would favour smaller hands

That's good.

My current ultegra shifters are pre-button so that will be a new experience. If I can rig them up to change garmin screens (530) that might be handy.

Newbie question, but will these handlebars work with the di2 bar end junction box?

https://www.bellatisport.com/shop/product/6388/Look_ADH1.2_Road_handlebar.html

They do. I'm running GRX levers and Ultegra mech on my Kinesis.

Thanks for confirming

I have bought a new GRX mech to install but that's because the Ultegra one is a bit beaten up and I wanna reduce the chainslap when I'm actually riding gravel.

If I can rig them up to change garmin screens (530) that might be handy.

You'll need a bluetooth widget connected somewhere in there then it Should Just Work.

Yes and no. You need to get wires from the shifters into the inside of the bars to the junction. There doesn't look to be a hole near the bar ends but if the internal routing for the hose is just a couple of open holes into the inside of the bar, you can do it with a couple of longer wires. If they're guided routing though and not open on the inside, you can't.

You'd need to have them in hand to be able to tell if it's possible

Currently I'm having Darimo di2 bars on the new look, but apparently the mechanic isn't happy to put the di2 junction box in the bar end as traditionally it has a hole for the housing.

I did mention there was a work around to house everything together without the hole.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFMgEuUwq08&t=457s

Yeah cause it's 4 hours of fiddling around with fishing lines, lead weights and wires to get everything done. No mechanic is happy to do that.

BTW, just drill them.