Shimano Di2 Kills Ridgemont!

With the debut last year of Shimano's new Dura Ace Di2 electronic shifting system, it seems cyclists have stepped back to watch the latest schoolyard fight between industry giants. The technology has been around for 20 years, but only recently had the technology allowed a viable product to reach the market. In the past few years we've seen incremental changes in shifting technology: Rather than making the 10 cog cassette better, Campy jacked it up to 11 and SRAM has received raves for its double tap system for customized efficient shifting.

With the Di2, Shimano took the "solution in search of a problem" approach and they did it in spades. When it was first introduced the skeptics gathered round to wait for the first mis-shift or chain slip. When that didn't happen they then surmised that once the dust settled from the announcement, it would short out the system. That didn't happen either. As more professionals have been given the Di2 the more Shimano has proven the strength of the technology with clean, crisp, accurate and reliable shifting. The Di2 system has even made it into the cyclocross scene where it performed flawlessly while caked in mud as documented by the Velonews article below.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/10/bikes-tech/cross-electrified-shimanos-di2-group-hits-the-dirt_99000

Even the "connoisseur" cyclist has to choke on his vomit and admit that the system seems to be working and working well. I had the opportunity to try it on a Colnago C50 a couple months back and the chain immediately shifted from cog to cog. Efficient.

Now...

With the technology proving itself in the field, the issue ... ahem... shifts from purely an issue of technology into the realm of cycling philosophy. Sure, there will still be those who will live or die with Campy for its Italian pedigree or hate Shimano for its lack of rebuildability or its ubiquitousness. But I imagine both Campagnolo and SRAM have a similar system in the works and eventually the technology will trickle down to the lower gruppos and electronic shifting will be the next STI lever.

The professionals don't really have room to choose and will race whatever their sponsors tell them to race and it will trickle down to all the wannabe professionals, poseurs, wannabes, those racing out from inside a mid-life crisis... basically anyone who wants to have what the pros use regardless and have the money to buy it.

For those of us who have a choice, the philosophy of what cycling means becomes an integral part of the equation.

Is cycling simply about physical performance on a bike? Does it matter how we ride as long as the legs are pumping at the pedals or does the joy of cycling come from learning the skill to pull off smooth and effective shifts in different situations under strain and exhausted. Is there anything to the skill of tuning and knowing one's bike? Is there something about being fully involved that adds to the experience? I keep thinking of the opening sequence of the classic documentary, A Sunday In Hell and how much care the cyclist puts into his steed. He knows every inch of the bike and cared for it like a soldier cares for his rifle.

Is this like the difference between manual and automatic cars (I know you still choose when to shift on Di2)? I like manual because I feel like I am "driving" the car, but manual allows me to worry less in city situations and starting at a stoplight on a wet hill. Does the Di2 take anything away from the riding experience that will make all bikes feel like they operate the same?

I just don't know.

The bike I built for Taiwan riding

In 2007 I returned from a trip to the U.S. where I spent some time looking for a bike that would suit the type of riding I do in Taiwan. At the time I was really torn because I really didn't ride with anyone and most of the expats I knew were riding heavy mountain bikes or XC bikes. I really didn't like the idea, but kept the option open. I really liked road bikes, but after a dozen years in Taiwan I understood how the roads could get. I finally narrowed my search down to a Cyclocross bike. Cyclocross purists hate the idea of a CX bike in any condition other than a race, and roadies cry at the sight of drop bars and fat tires. I would be in a position I could deal with... hated by everyone. A CX bike would be perfect for Taiwan's mixed road conditions. I searched high and low in Taiwan and in the land of bikes I could not find a single cyclocross rig. None! I searched on line and could not find a manufacturer that could ship internationally. Things were looking bleak. I finally found a bike I could work with at a fire sale price. I took my frame to Rocky at T-Mosaic in Taichung and waited. In 2007 the world was going through a spike in oil prices and suddenly bikes became a more attractive form of transportation. There was a run on components. It took 6 months to get the components I wanted to build my bike. A painful 6 months.

--My Rig--

Frame: Salsa Las Cruces

The Salsa Las Cruces disc frame and fork was being discontinued and the prices were dropping, so I snapped one up and had it delivered to my friend's house in the USA. He then sent it to me... still $300 below MSRP. The frame is scandium alloyed aluminum and weighs in at 2.5lbs. It came with a matching carbon fork in "dreamsicle orange". I figured the orange would be a safety color on Taiwan's insane roads. A cyclocross frame offers a slightly upright geometry for better visibility and longer chainstays for 38c tire clearance and a smoother ride.

Drivetrain: I opted for the 10spd. Shimano Ultegra 6600

gruppo for the weight and reliability. I chose a typical compact crank 50/34 and a 12-27 cassette. This allows a good balance of speed on the road and steep climbing on Taiwan's hills and mountains without needing a triple.

Brakes: I really wanted the stopping power of disc brakes for riding in mixed conditions. I ended up going with the Shimano Br-505 R mechanical disc brakes. The nicest thing is that my rims look pristine.

Bars/Stem: Deda Elementi Newton Ergo bars.

Post: Selcoff Titanium. A lot of weight can hide unseen in a seat post. The titanium saved a

little weight there. I put a Selle Italia Flight seat on that.

Pedals: Crank Brothers Candy SL. I wanted some light and easy clipless pedals that would engage in muddy conditions.

--Wheels--

I wanted light, durable wheels that would be strong enough to hit hidden gaps in the roads and trails. I chose DT Swiss RR 1.1 and 1.2 rims, spokes and brass DT nipples laced to Chris King disc hubs. The Kings are fantastic. Gotta love the "angry bee".

Tires: Ugh! I am always looking for the magic tire. I love my Conti 4000GP 25c road tires. They last forever. For dirty conditions I use Michelin Cyclocross Jets, Michelin Mud2, Ritchey Speedmax Pro tires.

Total Weight: 18.2 lbs. (8255.3 grams). Not bad for a CX bike.

The bike is fast and comfortable. I can sustain speeds at 20-25mph (35 to 40kph). I can spend up to 12 hours in the saddle without much fatigue. I feel agile in busy traffic and stable on 45mph (72kph) descents. It makes for a good all around Taiwan bike. That does not mean I don't have bike lust for other set-ups, but not bad for one do it all bike in Taiwan. If you can only have one bike, then a cyclocross bike fits the bill. I would eventually like to build a pure road bike and then reserve the cyclocross bike for dirtier riding, but just not now.