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TECH NEWS
Shimano-Dura-Ace-hydraulic-spy-picIs this a new Shimano Di2 hydraulic lever? UPDATED
A picture has appeared on the website flwrider showing what appears to be a Dura-Ace lever in a new design that appears to combine both electronic shifting buttons and a hydraulic brake pipe emerging from it.
As we posted back in October, Shimano are rumoured to be developing both an 11-speed Dura-Ace Di2 system and some version of disc brakes to go with it.
We say 'some version' because although part of the flying speculation agrees that hydraulic actuation would be an advantage over the convoluted routing of traditional Bowden cable through a modern carbon-fibre frame, others have poo-pooed the idea as an unnecessary step. To be fair, they're probably the people repelled by the very idea of disc brakes on a road bike, anyway. But they're going to have to get used to the idea because as our mystery Insider says in his recent post, they're coming whether we like it or not.
This spy shot seems to raise more questions than it answers. It surely does say 'Dura-Ace' on the lever itself but that may be because the maker has utilised an existing part from Shimano. The American site Bikerumor that specialises in this kind of stuff even appears to have uncovered a connection back to the British F1 company developing the Factor 001 we posted about back in 2009. The lever at the top here does look suspiciously like the one shown in factor 001 pictures on their site.
Update from The Insider
Our own Insider was on in a flash confirming that this is NOT the Dura-Ace Di2 lever or at least not the one we're expecting. As he points out viz a viz the Factor 001, "Giveaways are 1. it looks identical, two Factor 001 use Di2 and 3 it (the body) is carbon – Shimano's would be injection moulded and most probably rapid prototyped at this stage.
Or, in other words, what we're looking at is the existing Dura-Ace Di2 lever with its attendant shift switches to go with the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 gear mechanisms, all mounted in Formula's own carbon-fibre body with hydraulics built in. Neat.
The latest version of the Factor 001 road bike from bf1systems in Norfolk has disc brakes.
Factor 001 control levers: a combination of Shimano's Di2 electric shift system and their own hydraulic braking body.
Latest Comments
- daccordimark 1 sec ago
I've had one of these since November and agree it's good value for money. For me, the ride is a bit harsh and I can't really detect any comfort...
- chrisonabike 12 min 24 sec ago
Does that Live And Let Die quote apply? "Just reach inside his mouth and pull out all his teeth!"
- mark1a 30 min 42 sec ago
I tried something similar with some timber and a pair of Delta hitches, with (unlike yourself) limited success, and so for people like myself with...
- chrisonabike 9 hours 55 min ago
If you haven't been it's recommended! An epicentre of beer diversity - there's probably nothing they haven't tried in the beer from spices to...
- David9694 10 hours 35 min ago
You and a friend have won first prize, a day out at Diddly Squat Farm.
- matthewn5 10 hours 42 min ago
Does not compute! If you ride a lot you're going to be boiling your chain every week or every fortnight.
- AidanR 10 hours 44 min ago
Let's hope it's another 4 years until she tweets again
- Andrewbanshee 11 hours 11 min ago
Tbf where I live 2 way roads look exactly like the one pictured.
- Rendel Harris 11 hours 10 min ago
Unless your formative cycling years were in the '80s and you grew up copying the hand either side of the stem position of greats like Lemond and...
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36 comments
JEEEEZ! you do understand, if every company didn't bother releasing new products...you wouldn't have what you have now! unless you have the very first group set ever made!
your not expected to buy anything...keep what you have if you are happy with it..on the other hand, newbies to the hobby/sport have more choice.
anybody that thinks disc brakes on road bikes is a bad idea clearly have never raced or been down any big descents on carbon tubs! YES, it will change the look of road bikes for good, YES, it might look gross at first, but mark my words, it will be the norm in a few years time, maybe sooner...the cost will come down and everyone will be using them..they are safer, less maintenance, and did I say..SAFER! coming from someone who has broken his jaw from a front blowout on a descent which totalled a 5k bike and cost me a lot in dentist fee's..i think its a fantastic idea, although an ugly one..
so lets put this in simple terms as some people are just eejits!
YES, its new
NO, you don't have to go buy it..if you don't want to.
without innovation, companies would not exist, then you will not be able to buy anything for your bike as they wouldn't exist!
Really? Well, let's ask my American wife, shall we? No, she's perfectly happy to let the Tour de France racers ride 15-pound bikes with electric gears and hydraulic brakes while she cycles to work on her 15-year-old, loop frame 45lb bike with a Brooks sprung saddle. She says she can't see what all the fuss is about. She says she still loves you, though.
funny how everyone seems to have a frontier of luddism that they set themselves, anything behind is fine and dandy, anything beyond is... well, read some of the reactions.
Personally, electric shifting is just beyond my frontier, I accept it probably works for the pros but I don't want it and I don't expect cable shifting to disappear from quality bike components soon. Road discs I am all for and would like to see the cable to hydro converters refined because I reckon that's where the majority of the market will be. Road brake/shift levers are expensive and vulnerable enough as they are and it makes sense to separate the parts to reduce the risk of destroying a load of expensive bits in one off.
Main problem seems to be where to put the master cylinders, perhaps built into a stem as a modular unit or inside the tail end of the drops?
ABS next? Bring it on!
I have an open mind on disc brakes but by God those wheels are pug ugly. If that's the price to pay for modulated braking, I'll stick to what I've got ta.
Question for anyone who's ridden a road bike with discs: How easy is it to lock up the wheel on a greasy descent? With thick winter gloves on, I'd imagine it could be quite tricky to control the break lever.
The good thing about Road.CC is that there's just as likely to be an article on handbuilt steel frames with beautiful lugs, quill stems, and Brooks saddles as Di2 or the new P5. Bikes are nice to look at and good to talk about.
Rather than ABS I think some sort of break energy recovery systems (F1 KERS) for the commuter market seems to be on the horizon...
Very true. Reminds me of a pub bore I met in the Lakes- he'd bought all his kit in the 80s or something and stopped the clock there- took every opportunity to point out how crap all our newer stuff was, marketing guff etc. etc. If he'd bought his stuff in the 70's no doubt he'd have done the same.
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