Shimano formally unveils 105 Di2 12-speed groupset

When Shimano introduced its new Dura-Ace and Ultegra Di2 groupsets final summer time and successfully printed the obituary for its high-end mechanical groupsets, hypothesis on a forthcoming 105 Di2 providing shortly gathered tempo.

Shimano has as we speak put an finish to any hypothesis, formally unveiling the brand new 105 R7100 Di2 groupset which brings the 12-speed shifting and semi-wireless setup from its top-tier groupsets to a lower cost level. Or in different phrases, nearly the whole lot CyclingTips international tech editor James Huang predicted was coming in a brand new 105 Di2 groupset near a 12 months in the past.

Along with the brand new groupset, Shimano has additionally unveiled new non-series carbon C32 and C46 wheelsets, once more borrowing a lot of the identical tech from its top-tier Dura-Ace and Ultegra wheelsets and constructing it right into a extra inexpensive wheelset.

Seems to be acquainted

R7100 105 is Shimano’s new introductory-level groupset for these looking for digital shifting and its launch coincides with 105’s fortieth birthday. Whereas the most recent addition to Shimano’s digital household borrows the Di2 brains and 12-speed shifting from Dura-Ace and Ultegra, most instantly apparent with the brand new groupset is simply how carefully it resembles its elder siblings. The brand new groupset options the identical lever shapes and hood ergonomics as these launched with the top-tier groupsets final 12 months. Moreover, the cranks and derailleurs are clearly shut relations.

Seemingly these similarities prolong additional than simply appears, although, as Shimano says the brand new groupset presents the identical quick, exact and dependable shifting of Shimano’s Di2 groupsets to riders who’ve historically used mechanical shifting. Arguably, and to be extra particular, the brand new groupset brings digital shifting to simply above what was beforehand the mid-to-high-end mechanical value level and introduces a hefty weight penalty besides, however extra on this later.

In return for some additional dosh and heavier supplies, R7100 riders will get pleasure from Shimano’s newest Di2 system, providing 12-speed shifting in a semi-wireless setup.

Simply as with Dura-Ace and Ultegra, the 105 Di2 incorporates a wi-fi cockpit up entrance paired to the wire-connected derailleurs and battery additional again. In line with Shimano, this hybrid-wired-less setup “supplies wi-fi the place it issues”, with a safe wired connection within the rear of the body the place cable routing is much less of a problem.

Up entrance, the brand new 105 twin management levers characteristic the identical ergonomics and refinements made to Dura-Ace and Ultegra final 12 months following professional rider suggestions. The raised hood peak and the brand new lever form are stated to reinforce consolation and management in each driving place, whereas Di2 button entry was additionally improved for simpler shifting.

Crammed inside the brand new hoods is all of the wi-fi tech, with the brand new levers utilising Shimano’s proprietary wi-fi built-in circuit for safe, quick processing pace and low energy consumption connectivity to the rear finish of the bike.

Not like Dura-Ace Di2 and Ultegra Di2, Shimano says there’s no choice to run the brand new 105 Di2 totally wired to eke out an extended run time. Nevertheless, the time trial setup is totally wired, utilizing legacy controls and an identical connector adapter similar to the dearer groupsets.

Shifting to the rear, and simply as with the present Di2 choices, the entrance and rear derailleurs are linked on to the identical inner battery used within the flagship street groupsets. Moreover, simply as with the top-tier choices, Shimano has additionally built-in the battery charger and D-Fly wi-fi community into the 105 rear derailleur, providing ANT+ and Bluetooth reference to, as Shimano says, “most third-party biking computer systems, together with Garmin and Wahoo”.

R7100 can also be customisable by means of the Shimano E-Tube challenge app, providing riders the choice to arrange the drivetrain to their private choice with adjustable shifting pace, shifts per button, and the synchronized / semi-synchronised shifting performance.

All this digital computing combines to supply riders shifting throughout a brand new 12-speed cassette that Shimano says presents “the excessive and low gearing riders need, together with an clever development of drugs steps in-between”. Particularly, meaning 11-34 and 11-36 cassette choices together with 50:34 and 52:36 chainring mixtures. There are many crank size choices additionally, with Shimano providing the brand new 105 cranks in 160, 165, 170, 172.5, and 175 mm lengths.

The brake callipers are additionally revamped and stated to offer quieter, extra highly effective and managed braking than the present R7000 105 braking with a quick preliminary contact level and 10% wider pad-to-rotor clearance. Shimano additional refined the 105 braking with the lighter and smoother lever motion, enhanced modulation because of the expanded braking management space, and free stroke adjustment all trickling down from the Dura-Ace and Ultegra levers to the brand new R7100 stoppers.

In excellent news for residence mechanics, Shimano says the brand new 105 callipers provide a extra user-friendly bleed course of that may be carried out with out eradicating the calliper from the body.

The identical however completely different

Up to now so good. Whereas we haven’t had an opportunity to check journey the brand new groupset but, it appears each bit the Di2-level groupset with loads of options. What then makes this a 105 and what differentiates it from Shimano’s flagship Dura-Ace groupset and second-tier Ultegra Di2?

First off, and presumably of no shock to anybody, the 105 Di2 groupset is heavier than its siblings. In line with Shimano, an entire groupset suggestions the scales at a contact over 3 kg, together with wires and battery. That’s a further ~560 g over a Dura-Ace groupset and ~360 g over the Ultegra-level Di2 providing.

Each these groupsets are significantly dearer, although. As such, it’s maybe extra related to check the brand new groupset to the 11-speed mechanical Ultegra R8000 groupset which weighs nearly 350 g much less. In the meantime, the brand new 105’s direct competitor within the zip-zap gears phase, the SRAM Rival Etap AXS groupset, is roughly 120 g heavier than the brand new R7100 Di2.

Sticking with the anticipated variations, the brand new 105 Di2 is cheaper than its counterparts, however perhaps not by as a lot as we’d have hoped. At US$1,886.87 (worldwide pricing to comply with) the 105 Di2 groupset is round US$500 cheaper than its Ultegra R8100 Di2 brethren. Whereas $500 is definitely a big saving, once more it’s maybe extra related to check the R7100 to the present 11-speed mechanic Ultegra it appears set to successfully substitute. Seen by means of this lens the brand new R7100 definitely reveals off its much less promising facet, coming in at roughly US$300 dearer.

Whereas 300 bucks doesn’t appear extortionate for an improve from mechanical to digital whereas gaining an additional sprocket within the course of, contemplating Shimano has already steered it can section out Ultegra mechanical and with 105 Di2 successfully taking its place, it will almost definitely end in one other sizeable bump within the ongoing upward trajectory of motorcycle pricing normally. The price of the brand new groupset alone is now approaching the value of total carbon street bikes with Ultegra mechanical groupsets from only a half-decade in the past.

In fact, all of us anticipated 105 Di2 could be heavier and cheaper than Ultegra Di2, however, as you may additionally count on, there are additionally some much less apparent variations between 105 and its older siblings. Beginning with the levers, the R7100 shifters now characteristic two coin cell batteries in every lever, in comparison with the one in every lever within the current Di2 groupsets. Whereas the additional battery extends battery life, Shimano explains the additional actual property eaten up by the second battery means there is no such thing as a area within the new levers for satellite tv for pc shifter ports or the hood prime “secret” button.

The brand new 105 levers additionally miss out on Shimano’s Servo Wave pivot mechanism which alters the leverage ratio all through the stroke of the brake lever, so modulation gained’t match that of the most recent levers from each the highest two groupsets.

Notably, the 105 chain and cassette miss out on Shimano’s newest Hyperglide+ shifting expertise, which presumably suggests the 105 shifting gained’t be fairly as snappy because the extremely quick shifting supplied by the brand new R9200 and 8100 groupsets. That stated, Shimano was at pains to level out that the digital shifting on the 105 stage will make a drastic enchancment within the high quality and ease of shifting over the present mechanical 105.

Talking of shifting, there’s a notable distinction within the entrance derailleur design additionally, with the 105 providing reverting to a bigger entrance derailleur in comparison with the aero providing launched final 12 months. Flatter-land riders and racers may also discover themselves wishing for no less than yet one more cassette ratio and/or chainring mixture possibility.

Shimano made no point out of any rim brake possibility and when requested the official reply was, as all the time, that Shimano doesn’t touch upon future product improvement.

All that stated, there are nonetheless causes to be cheerful if something I simply talked about has left you disenchanted. The brand new 105 Di2 is appropriate with R9200 and R8100 Di2 elements with just a few limitations. Particularly, the brand new 105 11:36 cassette is past the 34-tooth most sprocket compatibility of the Dura-Ace and Ultegra rear derailleurs, whereas the 105 and Ultegra entrance derailleurs are each restricted to a 52-tooth most chainring measurement.

If additional expenditure on mixing and matching elements isn’t your factor, Shimano has confirmed it can proceed to supply the present mechanical 11-speed 105 R7000.

Availability

All instructed, it appears R7100 105 Di2 presents lower-priced digital shifting, 12 sprockets out again, a semi-wireless setup, and loads of beauty with just a few options lacking from the flagship groupsets. Other than the loss of life of high-end mechanical and a better value level for riders beforehand in the identical market phase, it appears 105 is in any other case excellent news throughout.

The dangerous information is we are able to’t at present purchase the brand new R7100 groupset. Shimano was solely capable of say it’s anticipating availability come late summer time 2022 in North America. Australian availability is considered inside the similar timeframe, whereas we’re awaiting affirmation on European availability.

It was an identical timeline when Dura-Ace and Ultegra have been introduced final summer time, and though each groupsets did come on-line roughly on schedule, provide was very restricted. Hopefully, Shimano can have better inventory ranges able to roll out on the discharge date.

New RS710 wheelsets

Along with all of the Di2 groupset trickle-down goodness, Shimano has additionally introduced two new carbon wheelsets, the C32 climbing wheel and the C46 allrounder.

Described as Shimano’s “most inexpensive carbon wheelsets ever” the brand new wheels, very like the brand new groupset, bear a placing resemblance to their Dura-Ace and Ultegra premium-level counterparts. Shimano says all its wheelsets now share the identical DNA specializing in balancing aerodynamic positive aspects, decreasing weight, and retaining rigidity.

The brand new wheels are usually not particularly 105-level wheelsets however are a so-called “non-series” providing. Nevertheless, each wheelset choices are each 11- and 12-speed appropriate, tubeless-ready, and have nearly similar aesthetics to the C36, C50, and C60 wheelsets launched final 12 months.

Each wheelset choices are priced at US$1,049.99 with worldwide pricing to comply with.

C32 (aka the WH-RS710-C32-TL)

The C32, because the title suggests, incorporates a 32 mm rim depth with a 21 mm inner rim width and a 28 mm exterior width for mating with wider tyres. These rim width dimensions are similar to these discovered on the Dura-Ace and Ultegra-level wheels.

With claimed weights of 665 g for the entrance and 839 g for the rear wheel, Shimano describes the C32 wheelset as a light-weight providing for driving the place acceleration is essential.

C46 (aka the WH-RS710-C46-TL)

The deeper C46 however with its 14 mm deeper rim peak presumably presents improved aerodynamics. That 46 mm rim options the identical 21 mm and 28 mm exterior rim dimensions and bumps the load as much as 665 g for the entrance and 839 g for the rear wheel.

Each wheels characteristic Shimano’s tried and examined (and home-mechanic pleasant) cup and cone hubs and bearings and 24 spokes entrance and rear with exterior nipples.

Extra data might be discovered at www.shimano.com.