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Mrs NBT has 1*11 Xt at the moment and mostly it's fine, but due to an old injury she sometimes has issus with using her thumb. We're considering an upgrade to XT Di2 to make things easier on the shifters (though would keep the brakes etc as-is)
as far as I can see, we'd need:
XT di2 shifter
XT di2 mech
Di2 battery
anything else? Do they need special cables and so on? How does one mount the battery to a frame not designed for this?
You'd normally run a display with an XT set up like this -
https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/component/deorext-m8050-di2/SC-MT800.html
To mount the battery you would use this bottle cage mount holder -
https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/component/xtr-m9050-di2/SM-BTC1.html
You could just put the battery in the seatpost with the right adapter, makes it way neater.
You'll need cables (come in various lengths) a junction box to join them all together and probably a display module too (which you can charge the battery through). You'll need to think about where you're going to mount the battery and where you'll run all those cables too.
You can mount the cylindrical battery in the fork steerer from underneath or get a bottle cage mount for the squarer battery.
You could just put the battery in the seatpost with the right adapter, makes it way neater.
Running a dropper post so not sure that will fit. Frame is a Turner Flux if that makes a difference
so I'll need
Mech https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-xt-m8050-di2-11sp-rear-derailleur/rp-prod148579
Cable to junction box https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-sd50-di2-electric-wire/rp-prod85149 (same link for all cables)
junction box https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-di2-ew90-junction-a-box-3-port/rp-prod85156
cable to shifter
shifter https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-xt-di2-m8050-11-speed-shifter/rp-prod148576
cable to controller
controller https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-xt-di2-mt800-system-display/rp-prod148578
cable to battery
battery https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-bt-dn110-a-di2-battery/rp-prod151451
This is the downtube battery holder for bottle cage mounts. Otherwise you can jam it in the steerer
Different shaped batteries, mind 🙂
Very much tempted to get the LBS to source and fit it to be honest, rather than trying to work it all out myself - just trying to get an idea of the cost, see if it's viable
You'll need a charger too
Couldn't believe how much Di2 chargers are!
I would have the thought the wireless SRAM options would be an easier upgrade.
Thought about getting the GRX upgrade for my gravel bike, but I think I'll just get a new bike instead. 🙂
For balance, AXS gears can be had around £700 (plus the cost of a 12 speed cassette/chain).
Zero faff, fits any frame, works perfectly.
Not sure if it’s the same with only 1 mech - but with my road bike I have a junction box by the bb that the mechs and battery plug into (3 cables) then a cable from that junction box to the front junction box. Then a cable from there to the shifters.
I’m not sure if the XT display module can manage without the lower junction box - it has 3 cable ports as far as I’m away - you’d need one for the shifter, one for the rear mech and one for the battery. So maybe it can. You’d need a very long cable to go from rear mech to handlebar display though just thinking about it.
Once you’ve got the bits it’s fairly plug and play though - I haven’t actually plugged mine into a computer or Bluetoothed to the app at all. It’s just worked from day 1 once all plugged in.
Good point above made on AXS - if you can get it in budget it’ll be much less faff to spec / fit!
I would have the thought the wireless SRAM options would be an easier upgrade.
Yep, such a nicer solution and if your battery runs flat you have a spare on you (just stick the front one on the rear mech).
I’m not sure if the XT display module can manage without the lower junction box
That will work with no issues, my commuter runs that set up.
As you say, you need the longest Di2 wire for it to reach from the rear mech to the display.
I upgraded my road but (external routing) this year and found this site useful
Di2 Compatibility - mix Ultegra, DURA-ACE, XTR, XT and GRX components (bettershifting.com)
and this compatibility chart is great
COMPATIBILITY | E-TUBE PROJECT | E-TUBE (shimano.com)
you'll need
* head unit
* shifter
* rear mech
* a cable that runs from the head unit to battery
* a cable that runs from head unit to rear mech*
* a cable that runs from the shifter to the head unit
* the little plastic tool for inserting the plugs into sockets
* battery + charger
the MTB head unit is bluetooth/wireless enable so you can set it up with your phone.
The internal battery (DN110) can be had with an external battery mount that attaches to the bottle cage and which also acts as a juntion box so you can run a single cable from head unit - battery box - rear mech
Shimano SM-BTC1 External battery case for SM-BTR2, bottle cage mount - BikeParts.co.uk
Di2 Non-series components SM-BTC1 - External mount for Internal battery details (bettershifting.com)
you can also get some nifty Pro Tharsis Di2 handlebars that have cut away for the cable routing and a Pro Tharis stem that includes an internal battery holder.
this isn't a bad article about fitting:
the cables are surprisingly expensive - £20 each but its a doddle to fit . looks like the turner flux is external routing? if so the bottle cage battery option is a good one - the battery is actually pretty small - think a longer, slightly wider pack of polos.
Thanks @slackboy that's really useful, I shall have a read tonight.
Can anyone point me at the equivalent list for SRAM please?
Mech
Shifter
Battery
Charger.
All comes in the upgrade kit, which assumes you have a 12speed setup, so allow for a cassette and chain (doesn’t have to be SRAM) as well.
There's very little price difference between AXS and Di2 right now - I reckon you'll be in for around £650 before fitting. the biggest difference is that if (when) you stuff the rear mech an AXS one will cost £500 versus a Di2 one for £200.
Oh, and prices have crept up a lot since I bought my stuff in April - di2 batteries £120 now v £90
AXS mechs do seem pretty bulletproof though, thanks to the extra clutch. I’ve seen pics of properly battered (bits smashed off) that still works perfectly.
Batteries don’t last as long as shimano (20ish hours for a mech, vs 1500 miles for shimano) but spares are £35 if you need/want one. I’ve never had a charging issue, just recharge after each ride.
Archer D1X wireless?
I broke my wrist and thumb last year and couldn't shift. rather than buying an entire new expensive mech/shifter/accessories I went the Archer route for the short term.
I could swap it onto any of my bikes and happier in the knowledge that if i did smash a rear mech, it wasn't a pricey one.
Worth a look as a retro fit imo
OOh that Archer system seems like it might be worth looking at! cheers for that!
Having had Di2 and now AXS on my mtb, I’d say that although the shifter isn’t quite as tactile on the AXS the ease of setup makes it a much nicer system. Tried the new style shifter paddle and I actually prefer the older one. The Di2 just feels a bit more like a traditional mechanical system.
If the price is broadly similar I’d go for AXS over Di2. Plus it’s handy to be able to remove the battery to charge it indoors if your bikes like in a shed or garage.