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TECH NEWS
Shimano adds wireless capability to Di2 groupset
Shimano has launched D-Fly for its Di2 electronic groupsets, enabling you to track gear selection and battery life through a handlebar-mounted cycling computer.
The D-Fly Data Management system, to give it its full name, is compatible with Dura-Ace 9070, Ultegra 6870 Di2 and Ultegra 6770 E-tube groupsets. It simply plugs into the E-tube wiring and is powered by the main Di2 battery. The wireless unit weighs just 5g and is small, measuring just 38mm long, 25mm wide and 12.5mm high.
It uses a proprietary private ANT wireless protocol to communicate data to the new PRO Scio ANT+ cycling computer, a new addition to the Pro 2014 catalogue. Shimano says the computer lets you monitor gear position and battery life from the Di2 groupset, as well as the other typical functions most cycling computers provide. It adds that future compatibility with Mio and other computers is planned for the spring.
The SM-EWW01 Wireless unit, that its official name, costs £69.99. The PRO Scio computer costs £99.99, is available in white or black, and should be in shops now.
There’s no sense of the full capability this wireless system might be able to provide, could it for example suggest gear changes based on cadence? Could it be used to tailor the function of the shift buttons, as you can by plugging the groupset into a computer.
There’s also no indication from Shimano if there’ll be compatibility with other ANT+ cycling computers, such as the popular Garmin Edge series. We also imagine Shimano will package this wireless transmitter more cleanly in a future update of its Di2 groupset, perhaps concealing it inside the shifter body.
It’s an interesting move from Shimano, but we suspect there might be more scope for this technology in the future.
David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes.
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17 comments
Note, no wire in the box, so be prepared to source another 150mm wire, and shell out another £20 for it
For use with the Shimano camera (check VeloNews). Goodbye GoPro, it was nice knowing you!
This you mean? http://road.cc/content/news/110090-shimano-launch-cm-1000-hd-video-camera
It'll be interesting to see how the new camera partners with D-Fly
I think this is actually a smart move, even though it really does not serve a purpose.
Im sure they have done this as a patent move, even if it does not wifi the gear change, im sure thats what they are working on, so they make a wifi unit, get the patents sorted and keep on testing before someone else gets in there first.
Its not a new tactic, but the first I have seen in cycling
lets you monitor gear position...
You dont need a screen to tell you what gear you're in, your legs do that!
Gadget for gadgets sake.
Does this mean that there's now an opportunity (or the equivalent of a 'backdoor' in computer hacking) to control a bike's gearing remotely?
Its weird that its all the way down by the mech, given most people have the shift box/thingy zip-tied under the stem you have to wonder why they bothered making it wireless at all. A short wire from that direct into the computer would weigh even less.
You don't have to fit it there, you could fit it up near the handlebars at the junction box, that's just an example
This paves the way for some really exciting stuff in the indoor trainer market. Imagine a Wahoo Kickr that could change the gear on the bike to deliver the correct resistance/cadence for a given training program. Shame its using private ANT and therefore potentially locking out Garmins etc.
Also weird how this has evolved into a massive external addon - the original system demoed in September used an addon that was hidden inside the shifter:
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/09/shimano-shifting-computer.html
Really exciting or maybe I will stick to my boring bike rides on the road and save a few thousand pounds in the process.
The only problem is that Shimano is using a proprietary ANT and not an open source ANT+ that would allow other devices to receive the signal other than Shimano's
Just out of interest, who uses Flight Deck at present?
Erm, hand up. Me!
Have three but only two bikes, 9spd with 105 on winter bike, older style 10spd waiting to go on once 105 packs up. Finally a newer 10spd wireless jobby paired with Dura Ace on current good bike.
Like the virtual cadance and the altitude readouts are a good motivator. Never really got on with heart monitor.
Why not just call it Flight Deck #2
So 170 in total then?
Where do you plug it in on the rear derailleur?
Looks to me like it's just splitting the existing wire, i.e. cut the wire and the two ends plug in to the unit.
Just look at the photo, the original RD cable plugs into the Dfly unit, then a short cable starts at the Dfly and goes to the RD.