Shimano Releases Dura-Ace Di2

From the Shimano website: Dura-Ace Di2 for Time Trial and Triathlon

Recently we have announced the electronic road racing components DURA-ACE with Di2
technology. Now an important addition: electronic shifters especially for time trial and triathlon usage. These products eliminate the need to change hand position for shifting. The rider can change gears at the base-bar as well as at the bar extensions from now on. The direct result is saving time and a better concentration on the ride.
ST-7971 is the model number of the Dual Control Levers for time trial and triahlon. They feature a carbon lever blade that reduces the weight to 127 grams per pair. Compatible with the new FLIGHTDECK cycling computer with integrated buttons in the hoods.
SW-7971 is the model number of the electronic satellite switch that can be integrated easily into time trial bar extensions. The shift wires are guided through the bars for optimal aerodynamics.
Weight is 103 grams per pair.
These shifters are compatible with the new DURA-ACE Di2 derailleurs FD-7970 (front derailleur) and RD-7970 (rear derailleur). They will be available in the market around three months after the availability of the regular 7970 series.

More on Electronic Dura-Ace

VeloNews has a brief article about the electronic Dura-Ace time trial bits that were spotted at the tour. There's not all that much more info at VeloNews than there was in our short snippet on the electronic Dura-Ace time trial parts, but there are some great pictures.



Our brief bit about the electronic Dura-Ace time trial parts is here.
VeloNews' brief bit about them here & their photos of the parts are here.

Shimano Electronic Time Trial Bits

Some new Shimano electronic parts were spotted at the Tour. Sighting Shimano electronic shifter is not surprising given that Shimano has been working on its electronic parts for years now. What does make these shifters interesting, however, is that they were electronic time trial shifters.


The electronic shifters that were seen at the Tour allowed for the rider to shift gears while riding in the aero bars or on the bullhorns as there are shift buttons at both locations.

Originally found at Cycling Weekly.

Goldilocks & the Three Gruppos

Here at Bikepedia, one of the first things about the 2009 gruppos that we discussed at the water cooler was the shape & ergonomics of the new Double Tap, Ergopower Ultra Shift, & STI shift/brake hoods. We, like every other rider out there, had our own distinct hood-shape preference, including some retrogrouchy comments about how maybe we liked the old 8spd levers the best.

"This one's too long."
"That one's too short."
"Oh, if they would do X, Y, & Z to the hood, this one would be just right."

Now, we don't want to be the only ones having fun, so get your friends together, take a look at the pictures below, and let the fun begin!







The 2009 Sram Red hood.


























The 2009 Campagnolo Super Record hood.



















For comparison: The 2008 Campagnolo Record hood (image size is much smaller!)














The 2009 Shimano Dura-Ace hood.






















For comparison: The 2008 Shimano ST-7800 Dura-Ace hood (image size is much smaller!)









So, what do you all think?

More on 2009 Dura-Ace

Dual Control Levers:

• Both brake & derailleur cables will be routed underneath the bar tape
  
• Decreased (I've heard by 20%) right shift lever throw
  
• Increased cable pull so that, theoretically, the shifting will be less finicky
  
• Unidirectional or carbon weave levers? There's pictures of both out there, but I think that the production levers will be unidirectional carbon fiber, just don't hold me to it.
• Adjustable reach on the levers to accommodate more hand & bar combinations (this is especially good news for riders with smaller hands who currently struggle to reach the levers)
  
• Longer & more shapely levers will be easier for riders to reach while riding in the drops
• Wider & flatter brake hoods than those of the hook-like 7800s
  

However much the prospect of shifters with increased cable pull may excite you, please be aware that this means that the 7900 shifters & the derailleurs will not be compatible with 7800 & previous 10speed Dura-Ace shifters and derailleurs.


Crankset:

• The 7900 (53/39 with a 130bcd) will be standard gearing
  
• The 7950 will be the compact gearing crankset (34/50 with a 110bcd)
  
• The crankset will be an unbelievably light 725gm (this weight includes the bb)
  
• The Hollowtech chainrings are ooh la la! and Shimano has radically increased the ramping, pinning, and milling for quicker, cleaner shifting
• The new cranksets are said to be 20% stiffer than the 7800 cranks (which themselves were much stiffer than the previous Dura-Ace iterations)

Front Derailleur:

• Redesigned cage profile and linkage so that no trim will be required
  
• Shimano has reduced the spring tension on the front derailleur so that shifting forces needed to shift from the small ring to the big ring are decreased
  

Cassette:

• Aluminum cog carrier shaves off a little more weight
  
• Increase in available ratios (11-28, 11-27, etc.)
  
• Reshaped teeth & shift gates for better use with the new Super Narrow chain
  

Super Narrow Chain:

• Hollow pins & perforated plates is a first for Shimano
  
• The outside plates have been shaped to reduce potential chain suck
• The inside plates have been shaped and engineered to reduce drive train friction (this reduction in drive train friction is said to be "noticeable")
• A master-esque link (Whoo-hoo!)
  

Rear Derailleur:

• Carbon fiber pulley cage
• Reduction in weight by 16 gms
  
• The chain wrap capacity had to be increased to accommodate those of us who will use Shimano new compact crank with their new 11-28 cassette
• There is marked increased material at the rear derailleur pivots which should improve the stiffness (and therefore the shifting response) of the rear derailleur
  
• An added pin between the derailleur cage & the pulleys
  

Brakes:

• Radically machined brakes and modified brake arches for better braking performance
• Lower profile cable stop (for easier cable routing!)
• New brake pad materials for better overall braking performance and less wear while braking in the wet
  

2009 Gruppos

2009 Dura-Ace:
By now most of you have probably heard and read about the 2009 Dura-Ace and if you haven't, the Shimano Dura-Ace site has a couple of downloads to answer your lingering questions. There will be some compatibility issues between Dura-Ace 2009 and Dura-Ace 2008 and previous. You can check out the compatibility flow-chart here.


2009 Campagnolo:
Hot on the heels of SRAM's revised Rival & the new Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 comes Campy's bombshell of 11 speed Super Record. Most of the buzz that I've read out on the interweb has focused on the new Super Record, but it is clear even from the initial leaks that almost the entire Campagnolo family has been retooled and upgraded for 2009.
The Super Record has stolen the spotlight for good reason: the few photos out there show a dramatically textured brake hood, a new 11 speed cassette which necessitates the new 5.5mm wide chain, ceramic bearings throughout, & a new brake lever shape.
The new Chorus and the new Record will also move to 11 speed. Centaur will be produced in carbon or aluminum variations. Veloce will be ErgoPower and UltraShift Ergo. The exact meaning of "UltraShift Ergo" has yet to be determined, but the rumor mill has initially decided that "UltraShift Ergo" will involve a new shift lever & ratio mechanism.

2009 FSA:
It appears as if Shimano, Campagnolo, & SRAM will soon be welcoming FSA into the ranks of gruppo manufacturers. The FSA gruppo information is in even shorter supply than the information about Shimano and Campy, but the new FSA gruppo will be 11 speed and is scheduled to make its debut at Eurobike. We'll keep you updated as we learn more.