Why we think everyone should be riding DI2 shifting

If you have been hitting the group rides you will see a newer trend finally taking hold in Jacksonville this year: DI2 shifters. ALL the top female triathletes and most of the men have made the switch this season, even for our flat Florida landscape. Why is that?

An electronic system can have several advantages over a comparable mechanical system:

• eliminate the need for the rider to switch hand positions in order to shift (in the case of Shimano dual control levers for time trial and triathlon)
• allow for an accurate and effortless shift, even in difficult circumstances, such as if the rider has cold hands or is completely exhausted
• shifting performance is not affected by contaminated, stretched, or worn Bowden cables
• automatic trim function can eliminate chain rub
• the smoothness of electronics can reduce the shock on drivetrain components
• allow for two sets of gear controls, where cable shifted gears are limited to one. This is useful especially on Time Trial bicycles.

And lets face it... they just look damn cool and sound like your are driving a space ship. Do not underestimate the simple pleasures such as space ship sounds when you are 4 hrs into a 5 hour ride. Plus EVERYONE knows part of being fast is looking fast.

I will admit there are a few draw backs. In addition to finding people that know how to work on them (there is a reason Open Road Jax Beach is flooded with them, the guys there are good!)

• There is currently no option for manual override when the battery is exhausted. This could pose a problem for riders, depending on the type of terrain on which they are riding.
• As currently implemented, each shift requires an individual button push, while many mechanical systems can move the chain multiple cogs with a single lever movement.
• Cost: the system is expensive compared to lower end mechanical derailleur systems. 

Coach Katie recently took hers up to North Georgia for a weekend field test in prep for Ironman France.  All in all she loved how they handled. You can read her critic of them HERE