The disc version of Shimano’s flagship Dura-Ace Di2 groupset has been in the pipeline for months, and we’ve finally taken it for a ride. Shimano debuted Dura-Ace electronic shifting in 2009 with its original Di2 7970 group, and added hydraulic road discs with its non-series R785 components years later, but R9170 is the first full-fledged Dura-Ace group with electronic shifting and hydraulic brakes.
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While SRAM jumped straight into hydraulic discs with its top-level Red 22 group in 2013, Shimano opted to wait until the Japanese company was satisfied with the performance before bestowing the Dura-Ace moniker.
This week I tested the new groupset at Shimano’s launch in Calpe, Spain.
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Key features of Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9170
- Subtly refined digital shifting and ergonomics
- Optional ‘synchronized shifting’
- Programmable buttons and shift speed
- Slimmed down hydraulic levers
- Optional integrated power meter
- Junction box can now be tucked inside handlebar end
Shifting performance – hard to fault
For my first 9170 experience I was sat on this thoroughly delightful S-Works Venge Disc (Sagan Limited Edition!), along with Shimano’s latest C60 carbon tubular wheelset (28mm wide, and a claimed 1,480g for the set). I will be testing the new power meter in the coming days, so watch this space for more on that.
As this is now the third generation of Dura-Ace Di2, it will come as no surprise that shifting is very, very good. The groupset tolerates all sorts of bad behaviour without complaint, for example running amazingly quietly even when fully cross-chained in big-big, a consequence no doubt of the work Shimano has put into improving performance with wider disc hubs and shorter chainstays. (Shimano specifies a minimum 410mm chainstay with 135mm rear spacing.)
That synchro feeling – our robot overlords have arrived
Braking… good
Early verdict: very good indeed, if not particularly surprising
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
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