3 ms·

I have the wired Di2 2x11 GRX Gravel Groupset... and it is awesome. It _snaps_ into the next gear, every single time, reliably. If you want to jump someone, hav

I have the wired Di2 2x11 GRX Gravel Groupset... and it is awesome. It _snaps_ into the next gear, every single time, reliably. If you want to jump someone, having a .5s faster shift time allows you to create a gap and hold it. My girlfriend has the top of the like mechanical GRX equivalent, and while it's also a faster shifter, the Di2 is just a bit faster. Both are equally reliable, but hers will ultimately require more maintenance (cable tension, replacement parts) and is more sensitive to a bent hanger. The Di2 nterface is dead simple: A single cable CAN bus for data. This also carries power for all the attached parts to the bus. The other benefit I love is sequential shifting. The onboard computer moves the front ring for me automatically and downshifts the back when I hit the threshold point. This ensures optimal power transfer by avoiding oblique angles with the chainline. All in all, it was a great investment and I very much like it.

Glawen 4y ago
I wanted to know if with this system you are able to shift when you are transmitting power, or you also need to prepare your gears before the climb like a mechanical one? CAN bus is 2 wires and seems an overkill, a LIN bus (single wire) with power seems more suitable.
- andreareina 4y ago
  Still don't want to shift under high power, though shifting while going uphill is actually doable, I quickly got used to going light on the pedals momentarily. Of course it requires already having a decent cadence to quickly ride out the dead spot.
- exabrial 4y ago
  Right now this is a function of cassettte/chain design rather than derailleurs; not sure electronic shifting could do anything to improve that situation. Modern Shimano drivetrains with Hyperglide can be shifted under "quite a bit" of torque, but I wouldn't say a 1x12 can be shifted under "full gas". I've yet to break a chain on my 2x11 GRX even at full stupid. My 2x11 even survived Unbound Gravel this gear with the _absolutely_ mudfest of riding conditions in the second half of the 100mi race. I have broke a chain on my 1x12 under full gas though; is an XT Cassette, XT Chain, and XTR derailleur and a plain-ol mechanical shift cable system. All that being said, you absolutely should prep your gears at the same time you're prepping your body position. GRX/XTR and to a lesser extent Di2 allow you to delay this to the last second.
- exabrial 4y ago
  Di2 uses a "barrel connector" so the thing appears like one wire to the consumer. This also allows DC power to be transmitted over the single wire. On a bike, you don't have a return path for current.... Never heard of a LIN bus, learn something new every day :)

Glawen 4y ago

I wanted to know if with this system you are able to shift when you are transmitting power, or you also need to prepare your gears before the climb like a mechanical one? CAN bus is 2 wires and seems an overkill, a LIN bus (single wire) with power seems more suitable.

andreareina 4y ago
Still don't want to shift under high power, though shifting while going uphill is actually doable, I quickly got used to going light on the pedals momentarily. Of course it requires already having a decent cadence to quickly ride out the dead spot.
exabrial 4y ago
Right now this is a function of cassettte/chain design rather than derailleurs; not sure electronic shifting could do anything to improve that situation. Modern Shimano drivetrains with Hyperglide can be shifted under "quite a bit" of torque, but I wouldn't say a 1x12 can be shifted under "full gas". I've yet to break a chain on my 2x11 GRX even at full stupid. My 2x11 even survived Unbound Gravel this gear with the _absolutely_ mudfest of riding conditions in the second half of the 100mi race. I have broke a chain on my 1x12 under full gas though; is an XT Cassette, XT Chain, and XTR derailleur and a plain-ol mechanical shift cable system. All that being said, you absolutely should prep your gears at the same time you're prepping your body position. GRX/XTR and to a lesser extent Di2 allow you to delay this to the last second.
exabrial 4y ago
Di2 uses a "barrel connector" so the thing appears like one wire to the consumer. This also allows DC power to be transmitted over the single wire. On a bike, you don't have a return path for current.... Never heard of a LIN bus, learn something new every day :)