Shimano Ultegra Di2 12 Speed Upgrade Project // Part I

With Shimano 12spd Di2 components now appearing in Australian stores I've been slowly collecting everything I need to upgrade my Giant TCR Ultegra Di2 R8000 (11spd) to the new semi-wireless Ultegra Di2 R8100. This video covers the background of why I'm upgrading, the parts I'm using, and I get the groupset configured (and updated) on the bench before I install it on the bike.

Links:

GPLama Ultegra Di2 R8100 Upgrade PARTS LIST:

Video Index:
0:00 Intro
0:14 Background (Giant TCR Di2 11spd)
0:33 New Giant TCR.... MIA.
0:52 12spd Di2 Component Availability
1:13 Why Upgrade?
1:55 New Di2 = Less Components!
2:34 Shimano Di2 R8100 Parts
4:03 Full Parts List w/ Product Codes
5:42 Ultegra Di2 R8100 Bench Test!
6:57 Pairing Di2 Levers with E-Tube Mobile
9:53 Firmware Updates (RD / FD/ Batt)
10:54 Part I - Wrap-Up

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#Cycling #Shimano #Di2

[ridesofjapan]

Hells yeah, 12spd Bros! Bringing out the popcorn once the Power crank arrives though 😅

[kevinhawker]

G’day mate, from Kansas, USA (Oz‼️) These 2 vids have taken alot of mystery from the DA group assembly! T U for these xlent programs‼️👍‼️

[chriskennedy]

You really knocked my ego with that “orange is hideous” comment. Been waiting for this bike all year and just took delivery…and I love it. Almost didn’t give you a thumbs up but I can’t quit you Lama. Looking forward to more Di2 content, great work as always!

[jamesgage]

I have THAT orange Giant. It's stunning 😍. I guess you cant help bad taste! The DI2 is amazing.

[martinhotan]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH - just paired Ultegra derailleurs with 105 levers ....

[saltycycling]

I appreciate the honestly in not saying that this will improve the performance in the 'Why Upgradde?' section.

[davidyoung-nbpu]

i remember when you got your first di2. you was not 100% convinced if i remember correctly. look at you now. lol

[beanbaguk]

Bloody hard getting hold of it! I’ve just bought my group set today and will be doing the same upgrade shortly too on my Cannondale SupersixEvo Ultegra mechanical

[VeloNippon]

The black and plastic cable tool ships inside the RD-R8150 box no extra charge at least in Japan. The SD300 cables are super thin and can still be used to wire the shifters. That way no need to worry about replacement of the coin cell batteries. Also, seems like the satellite shifters require the fully wired configuration (won’t work over wireless). Good luck with the upgrade!

[glenmcfarlane]

I looked at the same bike here in Singapore and I told the guy if it came in any other colour I would buy it. I even took my wife in to see it recently and she say ‘ooooff, what were they thinking?’

[shred]

I thought about doing this group set upgrade from mechanical Canyon Ultimate but right at the moment it’s so hard to get the 12 speed Di2 components through bikebug and Pushys in one go. I’m not surprised you needed patience to get it all together !! The wireless is what’s attractive not having to worry about the old Di2 cables on what it a mechanical frame so had a few wiring challenges.

[Anouk]

I was lucky enough to get the R8100 on a new bike which arrived mid-Dec 2021 (after waiting a few months, of course). It was worth the wait. You’re going to love it mate. Melbourne weather has been crap, but managed to get a 100km outdoors today and every time I shifted gears it felt like butter 🫠

[orci]

Good to see that Shane has fun playing with the Di2.
Bad for me: I want to play too but I will wait for GRX 12 speed Di2.
Thanks Shane. No I have to save money 🤪

[SnappyWasHere]

Been waiting for your review before deciding between this or SRAM. Thanks for the good videos as always!

[krissostaric]

I changed over from etap 11sp and the shifting performance is a big improvement! Only gripe is charging from the RD, it’s a bit fiddly connecting the charger cable in the right orientation while holding the cover open without lying on the ground. Guess I was accustomed to just removing the battery and chucking it on the charger

[johnl]

Crossed over 2500 miles on this groupset last week and love it. Just a couple of notes: 
- Yes, the tool for the cables should be in with the RD.
- When doing the bench testing, to upgrade shifters, just unplug the FD and use that cable to plug in one shifter at a time to flash its firmware.
- Finding the charging cable connection to be a nuisance as with the bike upright it is a guess on alignment. 2500 miles on just 3 charges, can’t complain given the infrequency.
- First shift every day serves a the wake up signal so get used to just shifting once when you start your ride.

[galenkehler]

My new 12spd bike is almost here! (I'll be running it wireless and electronic with my archer D1x, I'm kind of excited!

[robertphillips]

Just ordered my new Shimano Ultegra Di2 12 Speed Groupset Shayne last week . Everything except the Cranks & ChainRings . I have gone 4 Rotor Carbon Cranks 172.5 mm & ×2 ChainRings . A 52/36 & 53/39 . Have also ordered sprinter switches . Will add a 50/34 down the track ( perhaps ) Rotor is lighter & the ease 2 which u can swap out chainrings is fabulous. Only downside 2 the Rotor Cranks is they are $$$$ than the Ultegra. Reason 4 not purchasing the Shimano Cranks, 2 reasons. Rotor is lighter & the main reason is Shimano have been having issues with there Cranks Breaking & deny there is a problem . Ordered 11/34 & 11/30 cassettes . 4 my 2 pairs of Roval Carbon Wheels. 32mm climbing wheels & 40mm Tubulars 4 Crits . Also yesterday ordered a Tacx Neo2T indoor trainer with the new plates that DC Rainmaker reviewed which gives u backwards/forwards motion.

I am upgrading from mechanical, so it will be a big stepup 4me on my Specialized Tarmac.

[johnl]

A couple more notes on the new R8100:
- Hyperglide+, this is a serious improvement as shifts on the rear cassette are great - even under load.  
- Shifts on the front chainring will leave you looking at the crank to see if it actually shifted. - Other than weight, the shifting performance is the biggest difference between the new Ultegra R8100 and the new 105 Di2 as the 105, like the R8000, doesn’t have the new feed ramps
- If you bounce between bikes, one with the R8000, and the other bike the new R8100, you will absolutely know which is which.

[JippaJ]

I got the EW-SD300 tool with my levers.

You could use your FD wire for updating your shifter.