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TECH NEWS

Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 revamp: All new 11-spd groupset for 2013

Electronic groupset totally redesigned - lighter, smarter and Ultegra Di2 compatible

We’ve told you that Shimano have redesigned their top-level Dura-Ace groupset for 2013; the electronic Di2 shifting gets a major overhaul too. The system had to be updated to make it 11-speed and bring it into line with mechanical Dura-Ace, but Shimano have introduced other big changes with the new 9070 Series Di2 too…

Electronics

For a start, Shimano have changed the electronics. The first generation of Dura-Ace Di2 had cables with four inner cores and connectors that were 8.8mm in diameter. But when they introduced Ultegra Di2 for 2012 , they used just two core wires in the cables and smaller (5.1mm) connectors. That meant that manufacturers could use smaller holes in their frames for internal cable routing with less effect on tube strength. It also meant that the Dura-Ace and Ultegra versions of Di2 were not compatible with one another.

Now Shimano have borrowed the Ultegra system’s wiring – E-Tube wiring – for 2013 Dura-Ace Di2, so it’s a rare example of trickle-up technology. That means that all the 9070 Series Dura-Ace satellite shifters and so on will work with the existing Ultegra Di2 system.

The lithium-ion battery will be available in two versions suitable for both external and concealed internal mounting. Shimano are suggesting that manufacturers start to include a battery compartment in the down tube, just up from the bottom bracket, although other locations will work equally well.

Shifters

The 9070 levers have been reshaped, as the mechanical Dura-Ace levers have, for better ergonomics and the button operating area for shifting gears has been widened. With the original Dura-Ace Di2 it could be quite difficult to distinguish between the shifters because they’re positioned so closely together, particularly with gloved fingers, so Shimano have addressed this. They’ve also added dual compound hoods for improved grip and feel, as they have with the mechanical version.

The 9070 Series also allows you to program a multi-shift function. Previously, if you wanted to shift two gears you had to press the lever twice – that’s not really a problem but if you wanted to move right across the cassette it could be a bit of a pain. In contrast, with Campag’s EPS electronic shifting you can just push the lever and hold it there to perform multiple shifts.

Shimano are introducing a similar feature now and you can personalize it – so you can program the system to move however many gears you like when you press and hold the lever.

If you want aerobar shifters, you’ll get an extra option for 2013. Previously, as well as dual control levers at the ends of the base bar, you could have a shifter for the end of each extension, one linked to the front mech, the other linked to the rear mech. Each had two buttons – one to control upshifts and the other to take care of downshifts.

You can still go for that but there’s now another option if you’re willing to forego front shifting on a flat course. The SW-9071 shifters have a single button each – one hand moves the chain up the cassette, the other moves it down.

Junction box

The junction box – which links the handlebar cables to the rest of the system – will still be available with three ports but you’ll be able to get a five port option instead. This will allow you to connect more accessories to the system. There will also be a charging port at the junction box which might make life easier, particularly if the Di2 battery is housed inside your frame.

Derailleurs

Both derailleurs for the 9070 Series Dura-Ace are smaller and lighter than previously. Some people were put off by the size of the first generation Di2 derailleurs but the new versions are much more inline with mechanical derailleurs – larger, but not on a different scale altogether.

The 9070 rear derailleur will be able to handle a 28T cassette. Previously, the largest sprocket you could use was a 27T.

FlightDeck computer

Shimano will also be launching a new R770 FlightDeck wireless computer in the 2013 range that’ll integrate fully with a Di2 system (10 or 11-speed and also with a mechanical Shimano system).

It has a touch screen rather than buttons and several Di2-specific functions. You can adjust the gears via the FlightDeck, for example, program the multi-shift settings, and it’ll run simple system diagnosis. It’ll also display the battery level. The system uses the ANT+ protocol so it’ll work with third party devices that use the same, such as heart rate monitors and power meters.

Weight and availability

Shimano say that the system weight for 2013 Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 is 1,957g, excluding wiring, although they've so far been unable to supply us with any individual component weights. That compares to 2,219g for the previous Dura-Ace Di2 and 2,482g for the current Ultegra Di2.

Pricing has yet to be finalised and delivery is expected towards the end of the year.deliveries ramping up from the new year.

Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

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11 comments

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pmr | 12 years ago
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Batteries in frames, a neat concept for shimanos battery, but I suspect it will give the men at the UCI something to have a moan about. We know they that they are really not likely the idea of batteries in frames.

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andyspaceman | 12 years ago
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The new wheelset requirement makes it an expensive proposition to move up to DA9000.

However, if they made it possible to program the Di2 to run 10-speed, then that would allow people to make the jump across in 2 steps.

Of course it would mean Shimano having to swallow the idea of people running a 10-speed chain on their shiny new 11-speed chainsets and through their shiny new 11-speed jockey wheels, so I don't see it happening (even though it'd probably work fine), but I wonder if it's something they've considered?

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step-hent | 12 years ago
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If they can improve the mechs on the ultegra version in the same way, I'm in. I'd love to be able to justify dura ace, but the combined price of the groupset PLUS new wheels to accommodate is just too much...

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kitkat | 12 years ago
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Looks good but i'm saving my pennies until shimano meet my demands, disc brakes, power meter and wireless - ANT+ shifters. Maybe then i will be happy  1

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seanieh66 | 12 years ago
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 3 looks awesome. Programmable gears  26

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Cervelo12 | 12 years ago
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it would be interesting to see some stats on di2 and eps and to see what percentage of groupsets and complete sold in the uk are electronic. I supsect it's still very small mainly due to the cost and weight penalty but interesting to know all the same.

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Tony Farrelly replied to Cervelo12 | 12 years ago
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The Campag sales would certainly be tiny, Cervelo12, as their EPS groups have only been available a short while and and very expensive. The original version of Dura Ace Di2 is probably likely to be very small numbers in terms of people buying them as aftermarket items. Interestingly though we've spoken to bike brands that have done very well with it in the UK - far exceeding both their and Shimano's expectations. Of course it's probably worth saying that £6K bikes with electronic groupsets are never going to be a mass market item.

The one to watch though is Di2 Ultegra - bikes with that on are getting in to price brackets that many more cyclists will consider affordable, or nearly affordable. Ultegra is the game changer - everything that went before it was more a working proof of concept for the early adopters. I don't doubt that we will see a Di2 version of 105 if not next year (and that's when I'm betting) then the year after. Then electronic shifting will really start to account for a chunk of the new bike market.

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issacforce | 12 years ago
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there,s no pleasing some people. (boardmanrider)if you dont like dont buy !!!!

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Paul J | 12 years ago
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Is it just me, or are the hoods a good bit larger than before? Perhaps to keep uniformity of look with upcoming hydraulic brake levers?

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boardmanrider | 12 years ago
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That rear derailer looks like something straight of Battlestar Galactica! Shame the chain set looks pants.

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cat1commuter | 12 years ago
0 likes

Derailleurs look very neat.

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