Motor controlled shifting with clever sequential mode and interesting integration
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Shimano M9050 XTR Di2 groupset(Image credit: Oli Woodman/BikeRadar)
The LCD handlebar display communicates essential information such as battery level, gear position and shift mode(Image credit: Oli Woodman/BikeRadar)
The bottom right of the LCD display features an indicator that displays information for Fox's iCD suspension system(Image credit: Oli Woodman/BikeRadar)
Shimano XTR Di2 rear derailleur(Image credit: Oli Woodman/BikeRadar)
Shimano's CS-M9000 11-speed cassette is identical to the mechanical component(Image credit: Oli Woodman/BikeRadar)
The XTR Di2 rear derailleur features the same clutch adjustment as its mechanical sibling, the RD-M9000(Image credit: Oli Woodman/BikeRadar)
Shimano has said that the battery can be mounted on a bottle cage (as shown above), within a seat tube or even within the steerer of certain forks(Image credit: Oli Woodman/BikeRadar)
We are expecting lots more holes on top-end mountain bike frames!(Image credit: Oli Woodman/BikeRadar)
The front derailleur doesn't do this quite so well…(Image credit: Oli Woodman/BikeRadar)
We are expecting lots more holes on top-end mountain bike frames!(Image credit: Oli Woodman/BikeRadar)
Shimano XTR Di2 can be used as part of a single, double or triple transmission(Image credit: Oli Woodman/BikeRadar)
Shimano XTR Di2 has been designed to integrate with Fox’s electric iCD suspension adjustment system(Image credit: Oli Woodman/BikeRadar)
The shifter isn’t really a shifter – it’s simply a switch that has been given a short yet positive throw to try to replicate the feel of a conventional unit(Image credit: Oli Woodman/BikeRadar)
Di2 XTR battery options(Image credit: Oli Woodman/BikeRadar)
Shimano have announced details of a new Di2 electronic version of its top-tier XTR mountain bike groupset.
Rumours, as well as leaked images of the group, have been floating around the net for some time, but now everything is official we can give you the full run-down.
XTR Di2 in a nutshell
XTR M9050 marks the first migration of electronic shifting technology into the world of mountain bikes. The system will use one battery and remain wired, using already proven parts from Shimano’s Ultegra and Dura-Ace road Di2 groups.
So what are the advantages? Shimano claims that XTR Di2 will offer faster and more accurate shifting. Also, with no cables to stretch, it’s said to offer shifting consistency that a mechanical transmission cannot match. Whether that's true remains to be seen, but one part of XTR Di2 that we really should be taking notice of is Syncro Shift – for those who are running double or triple set-ups it could be a game changer.
Syncro Shift allows the rider to control both front and rear derailleurs with one shifter. Simply shift up or down and the transmission will follow a pre-programmed (and customisable) shifting map, moving both derailleurs when necessary to find the next ratio while maintaining a good chain line. So, that’s less clutter at the bar and more time to worry about things other than gear selection.
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XTR Di2 shares its crank, cassette and chain with Shimano’s recently announced mechanical XTR M9000 groupset, so that means Di2 options for single, double and triple transmissions.
Individual components
RD-M9050 rear derailleur
The new M9050 rear derailleur does a great job of hiding away its motor, which is 50 percent more powerful than the one you’ll find in Shimano’s road Di2 derailleurs. That’s to combat the additional weight that muddy conditions can add to the components.
The XTR Di2 front derailleur is less subtle than its rear counterpart. It has a claimed weight of 115g and features the same auto trimming technology as the company’s Di2 road components.
Thanks to Syncro Shift functionality, XTR Di2 can be set up to run with either one or two shifters at the handlebar, even with a triple crank. The shifter isn’t really a shifter, it’s simply a switch that's been given a short yet positive throw to try to replicate the feel of a conventional unit. The claimed weight is 64g per unit.
The brain of this groupset is a small handlebar mounted LCD display. While riding, the display communicates essential information such as battery level, gear position and shift mode (whether or not Synchro Shift is activated). It's integrated with Fox’s electric iCD suspension adjustment system – where the bottom right of the display includes an element which shows the suspension mode of a compatible fork and shock. It certainly leaves the door open for nerdy types and perhaps other manufacturers to exploit in the future.
Bottle cage mount will not be the only option (L) – notice the wires emerging from the head tube (R)
The battery unit as well as the wiring for XTR Di2 are identical components to the ones used in Shimano's electronic road groups. The battery can be mounted on a bottle cage, in a seat tube and can even be contained within the steerer unit of certain forks (although full details on this haven't yet fully emerged).
Pricing
Di2 technology has, just like it did for the first generation in the world of road, debuted at the top-end of Shimano's mountain biking range. The pricing alone is likely to keep these parts out of the hands of anyone other than Shimano-sponsored athletes and the very wealthy.
Rear derailleur — £429.99 RDM9050GS (short cage) and RD9050SGS (long cage) Front derailleur — £269.99 FDM9050 Right shifter — £149.99 SWM9050R Left shifter – £149.99 SWM9050L
