Di2
- Thread starter PaulgNewb
- Start date
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Cycleops
Legendary Member
- Location
- Accra, Ghana
Definitely without. I'm sure you'll get positive comments about Di2 from fans saying what a wonderful innovative system it is and indeed it is but I think for you starting out it's an added complication you don't really need. Put the money into s better groupset, model, accessories etc.
Welcome to the forum Paul
Welcome to the forum Paul
RoubaixCube
~Tribanese~
- Location
- London, UK
If you got buckets full of money then sure. Otherwise no. Id be looking at between £250-600 for a good starter. £600-800 for the upper end of the budget friendly side of the scale. Even the cheaper entry level Triban bikes from Decathlon offer good value for money for starters.
Just something cheap and cheerful to get you into it then upgrade to a better bike down the road later on if you get serious about it.
Just something cheap and cheerful to get you into it then upgrade to a better bike down the road later on if you get serious about it.
derrick
The Glue that binds us together.
- Location
- On the edge of London
If you can afford it, go for it. I love it. Di2 on both bikes, would never go back to cables. Positve shift every time. Once set up no need to touch it, just keep battery charged.
I’m looking at a £3k to £4K budget. The two bikes I’ve narrowed it down to are: Giant Propel Advanced 1, and the Canyon ultimate cf sl disc 8.0 di2 aero.
suspect I will do 50-75 mile weekend rides and a 25-40 mid week.
jay clock
Massive member
- Location
- Hampshire UK
At that budget definitely Yes.
roubaixtuesday
self serving virtue signaller
At your budget, you'll get an amazing bike regardless of Di2. It's really just personal preference.
What I would suggest is do NOT buy online. If you're relatively new to cycling, the advice and service if a good bike shop is what you need more than anything if you're dropping that kind of cash. You want someone to help you in person if anything goes awry.
What I would suggest is do NOT buy online. If you're relatively new to cycling, the advice and service if a good bike shop is what you need more than anything if you're dropping that kind of cash. You want someone to help you in person if anything goes awry.
Sound advice, thank you. That’s definitely helped compound my thoughts and preference towards Giant. I have a great local bike shop in Edinburgh and I’m keen to take advantage of that. Thank you 👍🏻
DSK
Senior Member
I have two Giant road bikes, a 2013 TCR with Di2 conversion and a 2017 Propel with cables.
The cable operated Propel is my go to machine. The cables operate perfectly so all the mechanical components work seamlessly ads as good as DI2 and I'm never left wanting Di2. When the cables stretch/wear that's when a tweak or, replacement should be considered as appropriate. One thing to favour the cable option as a mechanic once told me... you can buy a lot of servicing and parts for a long time for the cost of a Di2 kit.
However, at the price point you are at, I'd say Di2 has to be there. When the time comes to upgrade/change, Di2 is more desirable to most. (I can get a new Bianchi Aria with discs and Ultegra Di2 for £3800 from an authorised retailer, would you pay similar or a little less for cable?). Also the price you are at should get to into SRAM etap territory also.
The cable operated Propel is my go to machine. The cables operate perfectly so all the mechanical components work seamlessly ads as good as DI2 and I'm never left wanting Di2. When the cables stretch/wear that's when a tweak or, replacement should be considered as appropriate. One thing to favour the cable option as a mechanic once told me... you can buy a lot of servicing and parts for a long time for the cost of a Di2 kit.
However, at the price point you are at, I'd say Di2 has to be there. When the time comes to upgrade/change, Di2 is more desirable to most. (I can get a new Bianchi Aria with discs and Ultegra Di2 for £3800 from an authorised retailer, would you pay similar or a little less for cable?). Also the price you are at should get to into SRAM etap territory also.
PaulSB
Squire
- Location
- Chorley, Lancashire
Put your money in to the very best wheels you can afford. Great wheels will dramatically improve your riding experience.
Di2 will improve the ride but nowhere near as much as good wheels will do. If I had the money I would have both wheels and Di2 but I'd always choose wheels first.
Di2 will improve the ride but nowhere near as much as good wheels will do. If I had the money I would have both wheels and Di2 but I'd always choose wheels first.
IanSmithCSE
Guru
- Location
- Worcester, Worcestershire
Good morning,
I have two bikes a 1990s steel frame with downtube shifters and oldish carbon frame with Di2 Ultegra.
If I had to do a review then the Di2 system trounces downtube shifters, its immensely good fun and Ultegra Di2 and mechanical STI are getting closer in price.
But for the sort of riding that I do, 20-50 miles alone and fast for me, I find very little functional difference between the two systems, I can change gears just about as easily with either. The only difference is when going uphill, but that difference would disappear with mechanical STI as well.
If you are happy with your budget, then I would say that as you are splashing out on something to enjoy then for the small price difference not having Di2 is something that you might regret.
If you were looking to budget for the minimum bike, say a Specialized Allez with Claris, that would comfortably fulfil your stated distance and frequency requirements then I would say that you probably wouldn't miss not having Di2.
I know that others have a different experience but once the novelty wears off bikes are a lot more alike than the glossy brochures suggest. There are a couple of GCN videos where they say that they can hardly tell the difference between a top aluminium frame and carbon fibre one,
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3RG5dztrXM
and 105 and Dura-ace
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6si2XSCbdGQ&vl=en
Bye
Ian
I have two bikes a 1990s steel frame with downtube shifters and oldish carbon frame with Di2 Ultegra.
If I had to do a review then the Di2 system trounces downtube shifters, its immensely good fun and Ultegra Di2 and mechanical STI are getting closer in price.
But for the sort of riding that I do, 20-50 miles alone and fast for me, I find very little functional difference between the two systems, I can change gears just about as easily with either. The only difference is when going uphill, but that difference would disappear with mechanical STI as well.
If you are happy with your budget, then I would say that as you are splashing out on something to enjoy then for the small price difference not having Di2 is something that you might regret.
If you were looking to budget for the minimum bike, say a Specialized Allez with Claris, that would comfortably fulfil your stated distance and frequency requirements then I would say that you probably wouldn't miss not having Di2.
I know that others have a different experience but once the novelty wears off bikes are a lot more alike than the glossy brochures suggest. There are a couple of GCN videos where they say that they can hardly tell the difference between a top aluminium frame and carbon fibre one,
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3RG5dztrXM
and 105 and Dura-ace
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6si2XSCbdGQ&vl=en
Bye
Ian
This is really helpful Ian, many thanks for your insight. 👍🏻
