Build and adjustment of the new Shimano Dura-Ace and Ultegra 12-speed groupsets

Shimano's new 12-speed groupsets (Dura-Ace and Ultegra) further raise the bar for electronic drivetrains in terms of precision, speed and customization possibilities. But They are also easier to assemble and adjust than previous versions.

About Guillaume Judas – Photos: ©3bikes.fr / ©Shimano

Summary:

1. Now wireless communication between shifters and derailleurs
2. The montagand Dura-Ace and Ultegra Di2 12-speed groupsets: what doesn’t change
3. The montagand of the cassette
4. The montagand of the chain
5. The rear derailleur, the heart of the system
6. Logging into the E-Tube Project app
7. Adjusting the derailleurs
8. A braking system that is also easier to install
9. In which cases are the new Di2 groups mounted with electric wires?
10. Very close weights between Shimano Dura-Ace and Ultegra Di2 groups
11. Compatibility between Ultegra and Dura-Ace 12 and 11 speed groupsets

=> SEE AS ​​WELL : New Shimano Dura-Ace and Ultegra Di2 groupsets: 12-speed wireless electronic transmission, for disc or rim brakes

1.Now wireless communication between shifters and derailleurs

With its new 12-speed Dura-Ace and Ultegra groups, Shimano has taken the risk of making some people grind their teeth by only offering both versions with Di2 electronic transmissions. So no more cable transmissions for front and rear derailleurs., and a new step towards the future in terms of speed, precision and comfort of gear changes.

=> SEE AS ​​WELL : Everything you need to know about Shimano Di2

Although the Japanese brand continues to offer Di2 groups with rim brakes in its catalog, these do not benefit from all the technological advances offered on groups with disc brakes. Because in fact, One of the major new features of the Dura-Ace and Ultegra 12-speed discs is wireless communication between the shifters and derailleurs., which allows the pilot station to be cleaned uptagand in addition to greatly simplifying the worldtage of the transmission. Only the derailleurs are connected with an electric wire to the battery, placed in the seat post of the bike. A lighter battery (51 g), and above all thinner and lighter electric cables than the 11-speed versions (15 g), and which run quite easily – and quickly – inside the frame.

This wireless communication means that the Di2 battery life is less than with wires. Shimano lists a range of around 1000 km for the derailleurs before needing a recharge, but in practice we were still able to push it up to 2000 km during our test, and there was still about 20% battery life left.

Instead of electrical wires, there are two CR1632 button cells placed on the top of the controllers, with an announced autonomy of around 18 months, but which we have not yet been able to verify.

2.The montagand Dura-Ace and Ultegra Di2 12-speed groupsets: what doesn’t change

The monstagThe bottom bracket, crankset, discs and shifters are unchanged from previous groupsets., and even compared to all groups on the market. Same for the placement of the front and rear derailleurs.

=> SEE AS ​​WELL : Frames and Cranksets: Understanding Bottom Bracket Standards and Compatibility

The derailleur can be mounted with a traditional derailleur hanger or by mountingtage direct (Direct Mount), using the supplied bracket instead of the one on the frame. This installation has the advantagetagand to provide more rigidity to the system, and therefore more precision for gear changes.

The new discs are still Center Lock standard. The clamping ring system (and therefore the tool needed to lock the disc) depends on the wheel.

3.The montagand of the cassette 

The 12-speed cassettes of the Dura-Ace and Ultegra groupsets are the same width as the previous 11-speed versions., which allows them to be mounted on all existing wheels with a 10/11-speed body. But they are fitted with small additional grooves, with imprints that are only found on the cassette body of the new Dura-Ace wheels. The latter can therefore only receive a Dura-Ace and Ultegra 12-speed cassette, and nothing else. The interest of this system is to provide a better grip of the cassette on the body, and therefore ensure better longitudinal rigidity during restarts or sprints. Note that this feature does not concern the new Ultegra wheels, which remain compatible with 11-speed cassettes.

=> SEE AS ​​WELL : New Shimano Dura-Ace and Ultegra carbon wheels: lighter and for all practices

4.The montagand of the chain

To adjust the chain length, you have to place it on the large chainring and on the largest sprocket of the cassette, without going through the derailleur, and add two or three links in addition to the system of mytagand fast Quick Link.

Then you have to pass the chain through the derailleur and close it with the quick link.

5.The rear derailleur, the heart of the system

The Di2 rear derailleur is more than ever heart of the system, since This is the one that integrates the communication adjustment buttons, and the battery charging port. A function button provides access to various parameters:

• Just one click allows you to check the battery charge level using the color of the indicator light.
• Double click allows access to the gear change mode selection (normal, semi-synchronized or synchronized).
• A long click of 0,5 to 2 seconds allows you to access the Bluetooth connection mode (to make the derailleur communicate with the E-Tube Project application).
• A long click of 2 to 5 seconds allows access to indexing settings.
• A long click of 5 to 8 seconds allows you to establish system pairing in the case of a wired connection. 

Regarding the indicator light indications, please refer to the table below to find out their meanings.

The Di2 rear derailleur incorporates a Bluetooth connection box that was only available as an option on previous versions of the system. This connection also allows the Di2 system to be linked to a compatible computer/GPS, in order to have information such as the battery status or the gear engaged at hand. By default, once the connection is established, this allows you to change the display pages of the meter by pressing the small button hidden under the rubber of the controller. But it is always possible to assign another function to this button by going through E-Tube-Project.

6.Logging into the E-Tube Project app

The derailleur allows communication via Bluetooth LE with the E-Tube Project application installed on a smartphone or tablet, in order to make the main adjustments, know the status of the components, or make personalized adjustments concerning the functions assigned to each button of the levers, the speed of the gear changes, or adjust the semi-synchronized or synchronized modes.

=> SEE AS ​​WELL : Everything you need to know about Shimano Di2

Once the application is installed and set up route, the first connection is made by pressing the function button on the derailleur (flashing blue light), and selecting “Add a bike”. The application reconThe front and rear derailleurs are then born, as well as the battery.

Then, the application offers you to add "satellite levers" (actually the gear shifters, or additional controls). A QR Code is present on the inside of the gear shifters. Just flash it with the smartphone so that the E-Tube application adds the hardware to the system and allows the pairing of the shifters and derailleurs with wireless communication. If the QR Code does not work directly, it is always possible to register the shifters using the serial number.

Note that the app can also communicate with a Shimano power meter, a STEPS e-bike system and of course another Di2 transmission.

7.Adjusting the derailleurs 

After the classic installation of the derailleurs on the frame, then the connection of the electric wires using the specific TL-EW300 tool, it is first necessary to adjust the chain length before being able to adjust the derailleurs.

We start by placing the chain on the small chainring of the crankset and on the large sprocket of the cassette. Then, using the B screw of the derailleur, we adjust the distance between the sprocket and the guide roller of the derailleur. A space that should be approximately 14 mm for an 11-30 cassette, and 6 mm in the case of an 11-34.

You then need to lower the chain to the fifth sprocket (on the 19th for an 11-30 cassette), then access the rear derailleur adjustment mode (see above). The light should be solid yellow. Then, with the gear shifter, operate the paddle closest to the brake lever in small notches, until the chain lightly rubs on the upper sprocket. Then, operate the other paddle (to lower the gears) by five notches. Finally, return to normal mode on the rear derailleur by pressing the function button for half a second, and check that all the gears are shifting correctly.

For the front derailleur, first adjust its height relative to the teeth of the large chainring, using the small sticker stuck on the fork.

Then, we proceed in the same way by going through the rear derailleur adjustment mode, and adjusting the lower and upper limits of the steering fork by pressing the two buttons on the left lever.

While there is no limit screw on the front derailleur, there are two upper and lower limits on the rear derailleur, which adjust like on a cable derailleur, to ensure that the chain can access the smallest and largest cogs.

Apart from adjusting the stops, all indexing adjustments can be made from the E-Tube Project app. Once the application is connected via Bluetooth to the rear derailleur (after a short press on the connection button and the appearance of a flashing blue light), E-Tube Project first asks you to confirm the elements of the Di2 group (front and rear derailleurs, shifters and battery). Then, in the menu at the top, you have to go to => Maintenance. You then access the adjustment mode.

Reliability of settings = 10/10. After 4000 km with the Dura-Ace group and 3000 with the Ultegra, we have not had to touch the indexing of the derailleurs once.

8.A braking system that is also easier to install

Shimano disc brakes are pre-filled with mineral oil in the hoses (supplied assembled with the calipers) and levers. A system that greatly facilitates installation and which normally does not require bleeding to operate.

The most complex part of brake installation is always the routing of the hoses inside the driver's compartment.tage, the head tube, fork and frame.

At the time of mytagand calipers on the frame and fork, the only precaution to take concerns the direction of mytage of the Flat Mount bracket on the fork, depending on the size of the disc used on the front wheel (140 or 160 mm). At the rear, no bracket is necessary with a 140 mm disc. The calipers should not be locked before the final adjustment of the brakes.

Next comes the time to adjust the length of the hoses, which of course depends on the size of the frame, the stem, and the positioning of the brake levers. If it is too long, it is advisable to set a mark with the edge of the flared nut of the lever (with the yellow sealing cap).

Then, the hose is cut to the correct length using a hose cutter, before installing a new fitting insert with a specific tool.

To connect the hose to the brake lever, the bike is oriented downwards (or the handlebars are turned so that the flare nut of the lever is perpendicular to the ground). Then the sealing cap is removed and the brake hose is inserted into the connection hole. A little oil may possibly flow out. Finally, the flare nut is tightened while holding the brake hose down. Finally, the stopper on the lever is removed and the system is operated several times to activate the circuit.

We then move on to a delicate operation but within everyone's reach: adjusting the brake calipers. Patience and dexterity are necessary to precisely adjust the placement of the calipers around the discs and to avoid any friction. Shimano announces 10% additional space between the pads and the discs, but this is still a small space. However, once the correct setting is found, we actually notice much less friction than with previous generations.

Brake use can also be customized by adjusting the levers to adjust the reach (the distance between the levers and the handlebars) and the attack of the pads, so that the braking is more or less responsive when the lever is operated.

The first adjustment is very sensitive, and allows you to adapt the levers to all hand sizes. The second a little less, and it is difficult to see the difference even if you want more direct braking.

Reliability of settings = 9/10. The Dura-Ace and Ultegra brake systems did not budge after mytagand after several thousand km of use. It is reliable and very effective and the range adjustment is also very appreciable. The engagement point adjustment does not change much in the sensations felt on the ground on the other hand.

9.In which cases are the new Di2 groups mounted with electric wires?

Di2 shifters can of course still be connected to the rear of the bike with electrical wires. This can be an advantagetagand in terms of system autonomy. While retaining the same dimensions as on the previous 11-speed groups, Di2 levers for 12-speed rim brakes cannot receive this wireless communication mode and the button cell that goes with it, and therefore require the use of an electric wire that runs from the control stationtagand on drums. A montagand more tedious, especially on some bikes.

Anyway, The levers (for rim brakes or disc brakes) each have two connection ports. The first to connect the lever to the battery (mandatory with rim brakes and optional with disc brakes), the second to connect the lever to an optional satellite gear change button, for example placed at the top of the handlebars (the "climber" button), or at the bottom (the "sprinter" button).

10.Very close weights between Shimano Dura-Ace and Ultegra Di2 groups

In terms of mytage and settings, the two new Shimano Di2 groups are identical, and only a few rare differences distinguish them, such as the specific cassette body of the Dura-Ace wheels or the combinations of chainrings and cassettes offered. In terms of operation, it would be very clever of anyone to be able to differentiate the two groups with their eyes closed. The ergonomics of the handles are identical, as are the speed and precision of the gear changes and the effectiveness of the braking.

Then there's the weight, with slightly heavier components on the Ultegra side, as we were able to verify precisely.

Weight difference between Dura-Ace and Ultegra components (in grams)

=> SEE AS ​​WELL : 2021/2022 Group Prices and Weights route and Gravel

11.Compatibility between Ultegra and Dura-Ace 12 and 11 speed groupsets

All the elements of the two 2-speed Di12 groups are obviously compatible with each other, except for the specific case of Dura-Ace wheels (see above). As for the 11-speed components, it is difficult to hope to make an 11-speed cassette work with 12-speed derailleurs, unless there is a specific adjustment on part of the cassette, say on three or four sprockets as we were able to do. tester on home trainer. But on the upper and lower parts of the cassette, the indexing does not work. Logically, an 11-speed chain cannot work properly on a 12-speed cassette, due to a question of space between the sprockets. On the other hand, The good news is that 11-speed cranksets work perfectly with 12-speed drivetrains. A good fallback solution for those who are suffering from the shortage of 12-speed cranksets (which are still arriving in dribs and drabs at bike shops), or for those who are not satisfied with the range of Shimano teeth for its two new groups. Groups that we will continue to tester in the long term over the next few months.

=> SEE AS ​​WELL : All our Gear articles