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TECH NEWS
Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 levers to act as remote control
Shimano have revealed that thanks to a software update and their D-Fly wireless unit, hidden buttons on top of their ST-9070 levers can be used to operate external devices like cycle computers.
Shimano’s ST-9070 levers were introduced in 2012 and those buttons have always been there on top of the bracket, under the hoods.
Then Shimano launched the D-Fly (SW-EWW01) earlier in the year /content/news/110064-shimano-adds-wireless-capability-di2-groupset, a 5g wireless unit that uses a proprietary private ANT wireless protocol to communicate data to the new Pro Scio ANT+ cycling computer. The D-Fly sends data to the computer so that it can show you what gear you’re in and the amount of power left in the Di2 battery.
What’s new is that you can now pair external devices through the D-Fly wireless unit and use the button on top of the shifters as a remote control switch to operate third party external devices like computers. Granted, in the case of a computer you’re not saving much hand movement, but the point is that you don’t have to take your hands away from the shifters which might be important, especially in a race.
So, what can you use these buttons for? Well, at the moment, nothing. Shimano say that it’s up to the developers of the external devices, such as cycle computers, to design the exact features that the buttons control.
And in the future? Who knows? The most likely first operation is to allow you to scroll through the screens of a bike computer to get the information you’re after, but whether or not any manufacturers will take up Shimano’s offer, we couldn’t say for sure. We imagine they will before too long and we will be asking them, though, so watch this space.
road.cc's founder and first editor, nowadays to be found riding a spreadsheet. Tony's journey in cycling media started in 1997 as production editor and then deputy editor of Total Bike, acting editor of Total Mountain Bike and then seven years as editor of Cycling Plus. He launched his first cycling website - the Cycling Plus Forum at the turn of the century. In 2006 he left C+ to head up the launch team for Bike Radar which he edited until 2008, when he co-launched the multi-award winning road.cc - finally handing on the reins in 2021 to Jack Sexty. His favourite ride is his ‘commute’ - which he does most days inc weekends and he’s been cycle-commuting since 1994. His favourite bikes are titanium and have disc brakes, though he'd like to own a carbon bike one day.
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11 comments
I want it all! Garmin swiping, light changing... My Garmin clocks a lap just before the top of a hill on my commute, but the backlight dies just before the first hairpin. In the dark, it's a little hairy trying to stab a finger at the tiny screen to check I'm not pushing the speed too much.
Any idea if they are in the ultegra di or hydraulic di versions? I haven't spotted them.
These hidden buttons must be the best kept secret in cycling. Hardware in the hoods since 2012 and it seems not one reviewer or owner noticed!
Swiping pages on the garmin would be handy, no need for ugly garmin remote on the bars.
What would be cool, in addition to the normal twisting of your foot when unclipping, is if when you braked, a wireless signal was sent to the pedals and the clipping mechanism was automatically released and re-engaged as soon as you let go of the brake lever. It wouldn't be to everybody's taste, but it would make clipless pedals much safer.
Or maybe you could just learn to ride a bike with clipless pedals?
If I suggested the concept of adding a safety strap to a car to stop people flying through the windscreen during a high speed crash - call it a seatbelt for example - you wouldn't tell me to learn to drive. I've been riding clipless for years you dickhead.
Aaah, you have such faith in technology LL.
Unfortunately, adding complications such as this to a bike will only render it susceptible to wear and weather; anything that can break will break.
And in any case, the beauty of the bicycle is its simplicity so be careful what you wish for.
My suggestion (similar to above):
To control settings of front cycle light i.e. to change brightness levels.
That was my thought too: a "full beam" to "dipped" switch.
I do something similar with my Gloworm X2 light which has a wired remote switch that I run along to the hoods, but having that actually built in would be much neater.
I don't know what genuine uses this hidden button could have. Accidentally stopping a computer mid-ride just by shifting hands (on a big climb, say) would be really very annoying.
Anyway, what I do want to see is a way for one of the levers to control a brake light, preferably over wireless. I want it so that the slightest movement of the lever makes the brake light illuminate, just like touching the brake pedal in a car. I want it because it's the one time I feel slightly nervous riding in city traffic -- when I have to brake. I often worry that if the car behind is concentrating on me, and not on what's ahead, they might miss the signs of slowing traffic, and not be ready for me suddenly stopping. I'm not sure anyone will ever make anything like this, so I might have to see if I can make my own modifications to a spare set of levers and an old light...
The "hidden" button is on top of the hood. Also, why would any manufacturer code the button so that it turns the computer off? It will just basically be like a Garmin remote: allowing you to scroll through pages.