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Four season bike with Di2

by pcaley
Sun, Nov 03, 2019 15:49
10

I am looking to get a 4 season bike but am unsure whether to go for mechanical shifting or Di2.

Can anybody offer any advice on the following points:

  1. Does winter road crud and salt caues problem with the front & rear mechs?
  2. Is the under stem mounted junction box properly sealed? I am thinking of group rides with rooster tail spray from riders in front soaking it.
  3. Is the battery affected by cold weather, such as  on a three to four hour ride in temperatures between zero and five celcius.
  4. Are thee any issues which would be caused by storing in an unheated garage?

I do wash my bike thoroughly after each winter ride, but wonder if Di2 is a step too far for winter riding.

All replies gratefully received.

Thanks

 

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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10 comments

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kev-s | 5 years ago
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I ran Ultegra Di2 6700 for two years on my work bike

This being the version with an external battery mounted on the underside of the downtube right next to the BB so it saw a lot of spray

Bike was used in all weathers, from rain to snow, 100 miles a week for 50 weeks of each year

Only problem i had was that the external battery holder was designed to allow water to escape if it found its way into the holder

In reality as soon as some grit/dirt built up it blocked the drain hole, the grit/mud always stayed wet and eventually corroded the holder's terminals after 2 years, was £45 for a new battery holder

 

As they now use an internal battery you will have no problems using Di2 all year round

 

Avatar
Tony Farrelly | 5 years ago
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Just to echo what kil0ran said above, I've been using the same set of Ultegra 6870 since we reviewed it erm… ages ago. It's about to go on its fourth frame. I've ridden it almost every day all year round and in some truly foul weather on truly fouls roads with minimal cleaning and even more minimal maintenance (in fact practically none to the electronics bar charging it when required). It just works.

Only real downside is again what kil0ran mentioned, the buttons feel a bit imprecise when you're using them with thick gloves, but again I think that's been addressed on newer versions of Di2.

 

Avatar
Stratman | 5 years ago
0 likes

I switched from SRAM mechanical to eTap Red (11spd).  I've not done a full winter yet (and off the bike due to on unrelated injury), but it was cables that caused me the most grief over the years, and so far the eTap has been faultless

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cougie | 5 years ago
0 likes

Point 2 - make your pals get proper mudguards or make them ride at the back. 

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cougie | 5 years ago
1 like

Point 2 - make your pals get proper mudguards or make them ride at the back. 

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hawkinspeter | 5 years ago
0 likes

I ride mine through the winter and haven't seen any winter related issues. I had a battery suddenly die, but that was just a faulty unit rather than weather related (got a refund from CRC eventually).

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kil0ran | 5 years ago
0 likes

Oh and it lived in the shed, and the gears woke up quicker than I did. Did zero maintenance in two years, utterly reliable

Avatar
kil0ran | 5 years ago
1 like

Ran Di2 Ultegra on my commuter for a couple of years in all weathers (down to -5) with no issues. Battery is fine, I had mine in the external XTR case and I didn't notice any issues. The bike I had it on had no mudguards and I didn't experience any issues with the junction box or the mechs. Reliable, easy shifting although the buttons can be a challenge to find with thick gloves, and almost impossible in lobsters (this was 6870, newer levers might be better). Really can't fault it, but equally can't fault Tiagra either.

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crazy-legs | 5 years ago
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Given that Di2 has been routinely used on CX and MTB for a couple of years now, I'd say that there are no reliability issues in winter weather - everything is sealed (probably better than the cables on a mechanical system), there's no cable stretch or freeze or moisture ingress.

Battery life isn't an issue anyway cos it only takes a push of a button to check it and it's only 45 mins to charge it from flat.

Avatar
VeloUSA | 5 years ago
0 likes

To answer your concerns:

1. Washing after each ride ensures proper equipment functionality.

2. I wash my bike and under stem box frequently using a hose; no nozzle or attachment. Otherwise you have a bar end junction box option EW-RS910.

3. Not a problem.

4. Just don't store wet.

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