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11 Feb
8:33pm, 11 Feb 2025
2,707 posts
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MudMeanderer
Looks good if the fit works for you. I've no idea what working on it would be like, but at least doesn't appear to have gone down the trend of routing brake lines through the stem and steerer!
I like Di2, and find it less faffy to keep precise than cables. Plus, given that Shimano have completely dropped mechanical at Ultegra and DA level (and who knows how long before they do the same for 105) , and frames have adapted to not need routing sympathetic to cable smoothness, it's more a case of when rather than if you switch.
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11 Feb
10:35pm, 11 Feb 2025
10,808 posts
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Northern Exile
Well, it's supposed to be an endurance fit but with some proper get-up-and-go when you stamp on the pedals. I'm seeing it tomorrow, so I guess I'll find out.
You make some interesting comments. I have a Trek SL6 Domane frame waiting to be built up and of course that has the hidden cables in the stem, I'm told the version I have isn't too bad, I guess we'll see when I do get to it. Just on the subject of mechanical groupsets, have Shimano actually stopped production of R8000? You can still buy it at lots of of outlets and the irony is that R8000 is now more expensive than R8020 (ie. the rim brakes and shifters cost more than the disc). I know this because I bought a full set of 8020 recently to go with the Domane, I had R8000 on my Wilier GTR and loved it ..... I like setting up mechanical groupsets and do it with forensic precision, I also have a huge amount of empathy with the bike and when the gears are flying up and down with quiet accuracy really enjoy it. Will I enjoy it so much with Di2? I really don't know.
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12 Feb
8:53am, 12 Feb 2025
2,708 posts
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MudMeanderer
So you can likely still get replacement parts for the 11sp groupsets, and probably find some older sets out there.
However when they moved to 12sp for the latest editions in 2021, they didn't release a mechanical version at Ultegra and DA. I expect there were a few motivations - there would likely be minimal demand and it opens up more options for frame design.
I've also picked up the sense from articles and podcasts from a few pro mechanics that 12sp is pretty much at the limit of what you can do with mechanical in a consumer product. The tolerances and precision required become just too tight, so removing some of the tolerance build up through an electronic shifter makes engineering sense.
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12 Feb
9:09am, 12 Feb 2025
6,355 posts
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K5 Gus
One thing I meant to say and forgot....... plenty room in the frame if you want to go for wider tyres. Mine came new with 32mm and there's plenty clearance, I think BMC say that widest should be 33mm, looks like you'd get away with 35mm if you really wanted.
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12 Feb
9:18am, 12 Feb 2025
12,958 posts
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lammo
I'm hoping to be in the market for a new bike in the next year or so, and didn't want Di2, and i'm not fussed about 12sp either, but love my current mechanical ultegra groupset, all i hear about in the cycling club is battery issues, sad to read i will probably be forced down that road.
Is there any real difference between Shimano and Campag or others? I've always had Shimano and see no reason to change, any thoughts?
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12 Feb
9:24am, 12 Feb 2025
4,722 posts
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jacdaw
I keep watching videos of bikepacking races, and the number of Di2 failures (usually power related) is hilarious.
It may be ok in the pro peloton, or short rides for normal people, but I wouldn't use it.
I had Campag, and didn't like it as much as Shimano. I think it may be what you're used to.
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12 Feb
9:48am, 12 Feb 2025
2,709 posts
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MudMeanderer
You can still get mechanical, but just not at the high end. You probably also won't get less than 12sp on any new mid to high level bike (SRAM and Shimano have 12, Campag 12 or 13).
It's largely a question of if you get on with the levers for which you'd prefer. They all use different arrangements for shifting.
I'd say the big difference for Campag is cost and availability. They're a much smaller operation, and replacement consumables seem to be a lot more expensive than equivalents from the other two.
Personally, except for self-inflicted numptyism, I've never really had issues with Di2. I'd be largely happy to swap entirely to it.
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12 Feb
9:53am, 12 Feb 2025
6,356 posts
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K5 Gus
I've never had Shimano Di2, so not sure how that works, but my BMC has SRAM AXS.
There's a SRAM app that can show your battery levels.
The gear change is operated by a 2430 coin battery, I just carry a spare (about £2 ?) in with my tools that I carry on a ride.
The derailleur is operated by a bigger custom battery - if you had front and rear mechs, then they use the same battery, so if the rear mech battery went you would just swap the front mech one. Mine is a 1* system, and I could buy a spare battery and carry that, but they last for dozens of hours and just need a quick re-charge now and again, so I haven't bothered.
No tools needed to change the derailleur batteries, just release a clip, about 5 secs.
In the grand cost of bikes, then the price of a spare battery (£50 for OEM, £20 for a copy) is nothing, so don't see it as a problem
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12 Feb
2:03pm, 12 Feb 2025
27,136 posts
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Dave W
My bike is a 1X and I did buy a spare SRAM battery for peace of mind. Didn’t cost me much at all.
Not sure if I would want to go back to cable shifters now. The AXS Rival is bloody good.
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12 Feb
5:20pm, 12 Feb 2025
10,809 posts
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Northern Exile
I was curious, so went to Shimano's corporate website and I think it's safe to say that the R8000 isn't manufactured any longer [MM], there must be a hell of a lot of unsold groupsets out there because it's for sale everywhere along with the 8020 shifters/brakes. Oddly, the R8000 rim brakes are still part of the Ultegra lineup, I guess Shimano didn't think it's [yet] safe to discontinue them.
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TriSport Fetch: The smell of 220
May 2025