[ORRando] uDi2

Tue Nov 24 21:10:12 PST 2015

Hi!

I have had mechanical and uDi2 on two of my bikes for several years.   The
mechanical is Ultegra and works fine on my old winter bike (LiteSpeed) which
has about 225,000 kms on it.   I ordered my custom-built BERG with a compact
DurAce mechanical shifting system . it lasted about 2000 kms when the rear
derailleur disintegrated.   I then went to a Ultegra mechanical system on
the BERG, but after lots of wear issues with the chains, broken front
derailleurs and fast-wearing rear cogs and wear on the rear derailleur, I
asked to have the Ultegra Di2 installed.   Most of my local bike mechanics
and builder of my BERG were doubtful that the uDi2 would be suitable for
long distance cycling, and the average 25,000 kms. I ride each year.

So, after about 70,000 km. of cycling, including many rain-rides (such as
the London-Edinburgh-London 1400 km; and the western side of the last
Cascade 1240), how has the uDi2 worked out?     I was a little worried about
an electronic shifting system as I had an early Mavic electronic shifting
system on my Klein back when STI shifting was just coming on the market.
(early 1990's).   After about 1000 km. I was on a wilderness 300 km ride in
the rain when the Mavic electronic system shorted-out and started shifting
randomly!    It was a challenge to get back home as there were many hills,
and there is nothing like going up a 10% grade in a low gear when suddenly
the bike shifts by itself to a tougher gear!

In a word, I found the uDi2 to be 'fantastic'!:

.        In the 70,000 kms. I have ridden with the uDi2, I've worn out one
front derailleur and two rear derailleurs.   They did not break, just became
gradually 'sloppy' with the shifting

.        Crisp shifts with no adjustment required after my mechanic set  up
the system correctly.   (My mechanical systems over the years have always
worked fine for the first few 100 kms, but even when readjusted, always seem
to require further fiddling around to get the chain to run smoothly.)  With
the mechanical system, I went through 3 front derailleurs in one year; and
several rear ones.  What a hassle!

.        I did not do a specific measurement, but my impression is that my
chains, derailleurs, chain rings and cogs lasted longer than when using the
ultegra mechanical system.

.        I read where some cycle racers only rode about 100 kms. and their
battery went dead.   I get about 1200 km from a new, fully charged battery.
They are small and light, so I bought 2 extra ones, and always carry a spare
battery with me (just in case).   On the last GoldRush 1200, with lots of
cold rain and hills, I installed  a fresh battery on my bike in my hotel
room about 5 miles from the start-finish.   The same battery just started to
wear out just before I got back to the hotel . the warning (15-30 minutes)
is when the front derailleur won't shift . that indicates that the battery
is on its last legs, and best to change to a fresh one a the earliest,
convenient opportunity . easy to switch batteries.

.        Usually, it takes a bit of effort to change from the small to the
big chain ring.  Not with the uDi2 . just tap the lever and one hears the
short whine of the shift taking place.  Very nice over long distances.

.        Ever broken a cable on the STI mechanical system?     If the little
leaded knob at the shift-lever end of the shift-cable becomes jammed in the
STI (it always does with me!), it can be almost impossible to fish it out.
Once I found a good bike store with a competent mechanic who just about gave
up after working on the STI for an hour.   I called my main mechanic in
Victoria (150 km away) and asked him to explain to the local mechanic how to
get the piece removed.   Not something you do on the side of the road (other
than tie-ing the broken cable to the bike frame and riding with one gear!)
No cables, thus, no cables to break in the STI shifter!

.        Rain, heavy prolonged rain did not affect the performance of my
uDi2.   However, I did not try riding through 2 feet of water as I did with
the mechanical system.

.        I was a little worried that when I travel with the uDi2 (usually
the bike is in a plastic bag) a wire for the uDi2 would be broken, but this
has not happened!    If one is worried about this, Shimano has a wireless
alternative, and I understand that at least one of their competitors has a
wireless system also.

.        Shimano's lever shifting system mirrors the mechanical one in
function, so switching between my mechanical shifting bike and the
electronic shifting bike is easy.  Also, using the shifting levers, makes it
easy to use with heavy gloves.   My old Mavic electronic shifting system
used 'buttons' on the brake hoods to make shifts.   These were very
difficult to use when wearing heavy gloves.

The only down-side I have run into, is that as of this past Spring, at least
in Victoria, it is no longer possible to purchase replacement derailleurs
for the 10-speed uDi2, only for the 11 speed version . which means
purchasing a whole new system.

I've seen a number of riders who are using a Di2 system on brevets,
including 1200's  and the last PBP.

Keep moving as long as you can!  .  electronically or mechanically!   .
Ken

Ken Bonner 

RUSA #894; UMCA #1698; CKAP #1255-(West Coast Director); 

BC Randonneur #219; Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition #34

2609 Orchard Avenue

Victoria, British Columbia

V8S 3B2

CANADA

Tel: 1-250-598-4135

From: orrando-bounces at orrandonneurs.org
[mailto:orrando-bounces at orrandonneurs.org] On Behalf Of Julie N
Sent: November 22, 2015 12:40 PM
To: Susan France; ORRando
Subject: Re: [ORRando] verboort preregisration

Hello all, 

I am seeking advice to compare the udi2 shifter to the normal shifter. Is it
good for long distance brevet rides?

In addition, do you know any bike shop offering any team discount for 2016
Specialized Ruby Expert with disc brake and udi2? 

Thanks Julie 

  _____  

Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2015 09:02:18 -0800
From: susan.m.france at gmail.com
To: orrando at orrandonneurs.org
Subject: [ORRando] verboort preregisration

Closes at midnight tonight. Sign up if you plan to ride Saturday.  See you
there.

Susan.

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