Shimano 105 R7100 Di2 groupset breaks cover

I've just gone wireless, in my case SRAM Red. I have to agree that wireless is over hyped, and nobody talks about the disadvantages. It's not only charging that becomes more complex, once you go wireless, each component needs it's own firmware, so when the manufacturer rolls out an update, that's 4 sets of firmware (2 x shifters + RD + FD) that need to be individually updated. It's all too complicated just to move a chain from one cog to the next.

I think the Shimano is a practical compromise given the flexibility of the extra buttons - but that really is for a specialist market - though I suspect the bike builders appreciate removing one of the more complicated cable routings.

I have an older model Di2 so haven't got some of the connectivity and programming. What I appreciate is the reliability of changing especially on the front ring - it will dig you out of holes actively dropping down to the little ring when you've left it late on a hill and the chain wouldn't move on a spring changer due to chain tension defeating spring strength.

The Shimano stuff is more compact - I was surprised how bulky the SRAM system still is, and the only problem with the Shimano system is that charging is so rare even with my fairly high mileage at around 200 miles a week and enthusiastic gear use, I only charge it every couple of months... which reminds me. One of the complaints about the original SRAM systems, which no doubt may have improved and my mate who rides a recent Red system doesn't complain, was the sluggish change which was due to compromising the change to extend battery life.

I haven't updated the firmware for years, my battery (which also houses the processor I believe) doesn't support many options of newer systems, so it works, has been faultless over 5 years, so why bother?

IanMSpencer wrote:

One of the complaints about the original SRAM systems, which no doubt may have improved and my mate who rides a recent Red system doesn't complain, was the sluggish change which was due to compromising the change to extend battery life.

There is a split screen test on youtube between the current (now 4 years old) SRAM Red, and the new 12 speed Dura Ace, which shows shift speed across 12 cogs in each direction, and shifting through 3 gears etc. The shift time across 12 cogs or in groups was inseparable, yet reviewers are still trotting out the same old lines about SRAM being sluggish. (The only noticeable difference in the test series was on the FD, with a rapid big-small-big change where the SRAM system seemed to pause until "small" was fully established before revering direction, whereas Dura Ace started the second change immediately. Not something I am too concerned about.) 

That's an interesting perspective, thanks. I agree (although I do love my basic Di2), we do have a bad habit of taking the most beautifully simple and efficient machine humanity has ever devised and finding as many ways as possible of over complicating it.

Rendel Harris wrote:

Maybe just me but I'd far sooner have what I have at the moment, wired Ultegra Di2, than this wireless business. The convenience of having it all run off one rechargable battery instead of having to worry about individual (and not very eco-friendly) coin batteries in both shifters as well seems far preferable to me. Is there any point to wireless beyond a weight saving on wires that could be achieved by having a haircut (asumming for theoretical purposes I had any hair left to cut)?

hey Rendel , the new wireless system can be run wired and all run off one battery. It isn't exclusively wireless. 

Dover wrote:

hey Rendel , the new wireless system can be run wired and all run off one battery. It isn't exclusively wireless. 

OK, but then why would one pay for the extra tech of wireless if one wanted to run it wired, or the extra tech of wired if one wanted wireless? Seems a good reason to offer two different systems?

Santé.

My question would be whether, if 105 is released in a 12 speed Di2, mechanical would follow or it stays split. Would that mean 11 and 12 speed chainrings/cranksets for one group, like GRX has mixed 10 and 11 speed?

It's a good question. An easy win would be filing off the Ultegra name on the old 11 speed di2 kit and gluing on a 105 badge.   Probably not enough to stave off the threat of 12 speed Rival AXS though. 

It is an interesting one, they have the tooling so keeping the old changers in production has advantages, on the other hand the button changers sharing tech with Ultegra also has advantages.

They could combine wireless changers with the old Ultegra 11 speed as that part of the system by putting a wireless receiver and charging port somewhere.

I'd prefer 105 staying 11 speed. I don't trust the lifespan of these ever-reducing components, I got far more mileage out of 10 speed and the extra cog gave me no appreciable benefit.

'105' and 'R7150' are printed on the PCB (fcc photos), so I'm pretty sure that it'll be called 105

mark1a wrote:

Despite Shimano's previous insistance that Di2 would be top two tiers only, the launch of third tier Rival eTap from SRAM meant that it was only a matter of time. Good news if it happens, 105 is a superb value groupset, Di2 option will make for more choice.

More choice only as long as mechanical 105 is kept alive. How long before those who prefer not to have batteries and tech and apps (and hence ruinous obsolescence on the horizon) are limited to Tiagra, and the whole wretched process repeats until Tourney Di2 is introduced?

Yeah I don't really have a problem with Dura Ace and Ultegra being Di2 only, the point of them is for racing, I really hope they don't ditch mechanical 105, I think it'd be commercial suicide unless they're pricing the Di2 version very close to mechanical, which seems unlikely.

I strongly suspect we'll still see (12-speed) 105 mechanical - just not this year ;-).

Rim brake though... I doubt it.

Don't be so narrow minded! Think Italian...

Campag EPS stuff is so expensive it would be commercial suicide to stop producing mechanical Chorus and Record. Plus they have cranks that don't fall apart, BB bearings that are off the shelf standard components.

TheBillder wrote:

Tourney Di2

Hilarious, depressing and terrifying in equal measure!