Secret Features Of Your Shimano Di2 Groupset

Shimano's Di2 groupsets are considered to be among the best when it comes to wireless shifting technology and seems to be in a constant state of development with every iteration of its 105, Ultegra, and Dura-Ace groupsets!

Alex explains how the Di2 groupsets maintain their efficiency over a long period of time, while also explaining some of the lesser known features that you may not be using!

In association with @RideShimano

00:00 Things you don’t know about Shimano Di2
00:30 How did Digital Integrated Intelligence (Di2) come about?
01:56 The Shimano E-tube app
02:26 How the derailleurs and shifters are linked together
04:33 The wireless protocol
05:57 Configuration of the shifter buttons
08:44 Hardware of the groupsets
09:23 Speed of the gear shifting
10:07 Why it is important in the world of pro racing
10:36 Users of Di2 in the pro peloton
11:03 How far can the wireless signals actually travel?

Useful Links:

How do you configure your Di2 groupset? 🔋⚙️

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[gcntech]

How do you configure your Di2 groupset? 🔋⚙️

[jasonree]

Love my Di2. Definitely a wow factor when I got it, wouldn’t move away from it.

[schrodingerthecat]

Di2 is expensive but I've found it to be so worth it. The shifting is always spot-on, no need to fuss with cable tension. It's quick. There's also auto-trim on the front derailleur depending on what rear cog you are in. I also think there you should have also mentioned the synchronous shift modes. Most recently I have fallen in love with full synchronous mode, which you didn't mention here!

[darkmgc]

I slapped together used mountain/ road di2 with a 46/30 crankset and thought it was pretty neat. Finally got around to building up an r8000 Di2 set up and realized what I was missing when I used parts that were actually supposed to work together lol. The E-tube app is a game changer.

[unmdhhx]

Another vote for Full Syncro mode here. 100% right hand shifting for me now. Integration with my Garmin head unit alerts when the next front ring shift is about to happen - which you do have to account for to allow both derailleurs to do their thing. It's a small inconvenience compared to the benefits of getting a linear progression up and down the gear ratios and automatically avoiding cross chaining. I don't think I'll ever ride anything but Full Synchro again. I kept the left hand buttons 'as is' just in case... 3K miles later, I literally haven't used them once. With my hood top buttons configured for page left and page right on my Garmin, I'm wondering if there's really anything I could/should configure the unused left buttons for...

[TheOkinawaBoy]

Riding third bikes with Ultegra Di2. Will never go back to mechanic shifting. I like the feeling it shift under load. So precise shifting, only one connection to charge. Lasts forever.

[jm]

I’ve 2 s-works TARMAC SL6 one with mechanic Ultegra and the other with Dura-Ace Di2. Obviously the electric is much more soft and fast almost without any maintenance but the charge, the mechanic still remains a beautiful and easy to use piece of gear !… IMHO

[peterthomas]

Another great and informative video, but, I'm going to have to watch it half a dozen times or more, to take it all in.

[npdf]

Great timing on this vid guys as I’m getting my new SSE next wednesday which is my first Di2 ultegra equipped bike 😊 Pete 🚴🏻👍

[JIMMYHIBBS]

I’m not sure what’s come on more - Shimano shifting, or Malcolm (Alex’s 😂) confident and presentation skills in front of the camera 👍👍

[JulAlxAU]

You forgot connecting derailleurs to the head unit. Di2 can be connected to the head unit to display the gear you are riding in. Very nifty to avoid cross chaining.

[glennicol]

I would like to know what is the profit margin on Di2 groupsets...

[thegearboxman]

Given that my business is motorsport gearbox control then I really had no choice but to buy Di2 for one of my bikes (honest wifey!). By comparison to racing cars, bike shifting electronics is very rudimentary in terms of the technology, but the results are awesome. It's an absolute game changer, even for an old bloke like myself. Other than the speed, consistency and smoothness of the shifting, the most useful feature is being able to scroll pages on my Garmin without taking a hand off the bars.

[reinholdachleitner]

Awesome video, i can't believe how advanced Shimano were with Nexave but Dura-Ace is still the best.💯👌🏻✌🏻🚴‍♂️

[goodcompanycoffee]

Very interesting info as someone who just got modern Di2. To see how the sausage is made so to speak.

[papermasta]

6:17
Those Buttons are the Reason why i have chosen Shimano and not SRAM.
I have Spasticity in my Hands and they help me to move from Page to Page during the Paracycling-Races.

[SimonHBS]

Question: If you set up “front shift next” on the newest 105 di2, can you then use the free button to scroll pages on your head unit?

[alynlambert]

I might have OCD, but I was worried about the rear mech getting scratched when on the floor, , especially when Alex rammed into it with the measuring wheel

[bikeanddogtripsvirtualcycling]

have never used di2 before, however I am hoping to get a new bike (some time next year - thinking Cinelli pressure) and then in spring 2026 I am currently planning my first cycle holiday (actually first holiday since 2007).
Plan is to make my way to Rome by train then cycle up the west coast of Italy before taking a left to visit San Remo and Monaco and then kind of taking a diagonal through France in to Belgium, take the Ferry over to GB and then cycle up to Liverpool.

My concern is that the bike I want comes with 105 DI2 and I obviously don't want it to run out of power.
Would I be best getting a spare battery at the time or if I am on a long flat stretch of road would it make sense to put the bike in to a sensible gear and then just unplug the battery for however long. There is a lot to think about. need to renew my passport too as it expired in 2012

[erikarnstrom]

Are features described in the manual and ap secret?