Di2 VS Mechanical and Why I Would Never Buy Di2 Again

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[globaljobber]

I went to Di2 because of arthritis in my hands. In the cold and wet here in UK winters, shifting was near impossible. Switched to Di2 and it was a revelation. I've had it 3 years now and rode thousands of miles without a hitch, including endurance rides of over 200km. No issues at all. Superb shifting, fast and easy. Never go back to mechanical.

[briansamuel]

The aim of almost every manufacturer theae days is to make as much money as possible simple. So they give you something you don't need and charge you extra. I preffer mechanical becuase it never runs out of power, it is s reliable as the hand shifting it and it's way cheaper. Di shifting is not like a dual clutch gearbox where you go faster beacuse you can shift faster so I think it's mostly for bling

[waynosfotos]

The thing that wrecked mechanical is internal cabling, it creates more cable movement which affects the shifting with the smaller increments on the 11 speed groupsets (now 12 speed). Some bikes, their internal cabling routing is so bad you have to use electric. If you run cabling with no internal straw or use external cabling, mechanical just works fine. I agree, electric is a nice to have ergonomically, but really is no performance advantage. Tri bikes with the four handlebar setup is where electric is a different story and allows you to shift without breaking aero, so can be a real advantage.

[CyclingSlim]

Tip for everyone, when shopping online use "sort by price low to high" game changer 😁

[julmeissonnier]

I love electronic shifting and disk brakes because: 1. It puts great mechanical and rim brakes groups on sale at great prices (ex: Campagnolo Chorus 11 around 900 Euros) 2. It creates a tsunami of wonderful used bikes with rim brakes and mechanical shifting.

[julmeissonnier]

The other problem with electronics is that after 5 years it will be garbage like our 5 year old smartphone because electronics, batteries and software will not be supported anymore by the producers. Mechanical works for decades...

[uppon]

If you're willing to pay the extra and everything is working fine the main advantages are the ability to hold down to shift through gears very quickly, programmable shifters for numerous variations, including hood buttons which can also cycle through computer interfaces, consistently precise shifting (where both derailleurs can micro adjust automatically), and the sexy sound of the front derailleur. My 105 group feels just as good in terms of pure performance. If you want the things listed above and have the money then go for di2.

[paulwinkfield]

Here's the $64K question, on club ride, 20-50 riders, some on di2/etap/eps, some mechanical, isn't it true 90% of the time everyone is going at same speed regardless of groupo! Heck whatever your wallet and pride can handle!

[gwarbaby]

Durian. I've been a follower forever. Way back since the David Wolfe, Viatalis anime vids. Looking forward and looking back. Your advice is the "MOST SOUND" out of all. You and a few other are the only true vegans. But your approach is the most realistic and thank you for that. From Ohio

[Steve-jocl]

INSANE INSANE INSANE you could not have said it any better $800 for a rear derailer, for a few more hundred dollars i can get a brand new Suzuki GSXR 6 speed sequiental gearbox. I honestly dont know whats worse the bike industry and the insane prices or Car servicing industry in Australia and how they get away with ripping people off

[volts_of_fun]

Cables don’t require a charge and lighter weight weenie life 🤙🏻

[ripptorr]

All of the 11 speed Shimano groupset levers chew on shift cables untill they break. Seen this couple of times in the past few years (I'm a bike mechanic). That's a good reason to go Di2. If you can afford it. But let's face it, a guy that has the money to buy a couple of thousand dollar bike new or used, will have the potential to upgrade it to di2 using second hand components even (if budget is an issue). So cost is not that big of a deal really at some point. Reliability? If you're going on a road trip in the middle of nowhere ok, let's say that you could fix a mechanical group issue yourself, but otherwise the di2 is pretty much bomb proof. No need to change cables, no need to adjust, it just works flawless EVERY time, unlike mechanical that loses performance in time. Go on a bike ride with an internally routed cable bike and enjoy the nightmare of changing a shift cable on the road... Yeah, di2 for me. Only thing I have to do is charge it once in a while and it doesn't even take a long time to do it.
Funny to see people being afraid of things thet actually happen extremely rare. And like I said, there are situations when mechanical is harder to fix "on the road". Basically there are 2 things that owning a di2 bike can lead to:
You forgot to charge it (that I can tell you happens almost never- I have many customers with di2, including myself)
Or you crash your bike and wreck the rear derailleur or a shifter, but in that scenario let's face it, it probably is your last concern, if you have an unfortunate fracture or similar, you will thank god that you're ok and be happy to get home if you still can and using one gear (the HORROR!)
Di2 doesn't just fail in normal usage and if it does, it's so rare that you can say it almost never happens.
I can relate a bit to the "how it feels" stuff but for me - the effortless front shifting really really makes up for any mechanical feel advantage.

[N_Els]

I love my Etap. Easy install and works flawlessly. Simple to replace a broken derailleur/shifter as it pretty much just bolts on. Downside the I think its worth it. Recently picked up the Aero TT groupset (not Inc. Crank) with discounts for £750. Which I think is a very good price. The great thing about the TT set up, is if you want to switch or try different aero bars, you just unplug the bar end shifter, change the bars and replace the shifter. No cables to run to dérailleurs etc. However, I can't knock the mechanical groupset. Performance wise, I prefer electronic. No adjusting cables, and it's light and easy to shift so when your blowing in a race you just click and change, no effort required to push the lever. Never get any chain rub in any gear either. If I had the money and choice it would be etap. If I didn't I'd be happy and live with 105 as I have done in the past. Just my 2 cents.

[tqubed]

I have Dura Ace mechanical and Di2. I definitely prefer Di2 but mechanical still works well.

[mohammedkhan]

Contodor was forced in to having Di2 gearing he preferred mechanical shifting. Now we see the same with disk brakes all the pro riders are forced in to using them must pro riders prefer rim brakes.

[mwpallister]

Di2 all day long, if you can’t afford don’t buy it, but don’t slag it off
If you had a choice of di2 or mechanical free of charge are you telling me you would pick mechanical ?
It’s the same with most things in life if you want the best it will cost you

[KatieKookaburra]

Only time I think it's great is if people have physical issues with mechanical shifting.

[KatieKookaburra]

I've ridden with one and yep it's super smooth but... BUT.... I want to be able to fix gearing if it goes wrong. Great for short rides but for endurance rides.. not for me!

[cojobi]

I love watching videos of people surfing the internet while trying not to wake up their wife/kids, golden

[BroccLeeAV]

Got the Trek Emonda SLR6 which is the highest level mechanical and purposely stayed away from have to plug in my bike in any way shape or form. Went with that so I could get my custom painted bike and will have it for life. Looking for an endurance road bike after I sell my older Fuji Gran Fondo 2.0 le with upgraded wheelset and all Enve carbon parts. Gotta say again that your color choice on that Pragma is so perfect. Stunning indeed.