Shifting at the push of a button – Introducing the Shimano 105 Di2 R7100 groupset
Shimano are pushing ahead with the digitalisation of their portfolio and present their third electronic road bike groupset. With the 105 Di2 R7100, an even broader target group can benefit from Shimano’s wireless 12-speed shifting. Read on for a summary of the details.
The rumour mill of the pedalling community has been grinding away for a while. Everyone’s added their two cents worth over the last 12 months and finally, the time has come: Shimano present the long-awaited 105 Di2 R7100 groupset just in time for the range’s 40th anniversary. The equivalent of SRAM’s Rival eTap AXS, which was launched over a year ago, is finally here, and we found out what’s new on Shimano’s latest 105 groupset.
The Shimano 105 Di2 ST-R7170 controls in detail
With the introduction of the DURA-ACE Di2 R9200, Shimano introduced their first wireless cockpit, and now they’ve also done away with the cables between the controls and the derailleurs on the new Shimano 105 Di2 groupset. As before, the front and rear derailleurs are powered by a central battery, which is usually hidden in the seat tube. According to Shimano, the ergonomics have been improved by raising the hooks and the lever shapes have been optimised for more comfort and control. The new Shimano groupset can also be configured according to your preferences via the E-TUBE PROJECT app. For example, you can adjust the shifting speed and the number of shifts you want when pressing and holding one of the paddles. The Shimano system can also be paired with GPS devices from Wahoo and Garmin to display the selected gear or the remaining battery capacity.
The Shimano 105 Di2 drivetrain components in detail
Fans of steep climbs and small gears will be pleased with the cassette and crankset options available. The choice of a 11–34 t or 11–36 t cassette combined with a 50–34 t or 52–36 t crankset would even allow a gear ratio of less than 1 in the easiest gear, giving you plenty of reserves for the nastiest climbs. If you have a wheelset with a Shimano 11-speed freehub body and you’d like to continue using it in the future, you’ll be happy to hear that the new 12-speed Shimano 105 cassettes are backwards compatible.
The Shimano 105 BR-R7170 brakes in detail
As with the current DURA-ACE Di2 and ULTEGRA Di2 groupsets, the Japanese brand also claim to rely on their revised and improved braking system for the brand new 105 Di2 groupset. They’ve increased the gap between the pads so that they’re less likely to drag on the rotors and squeal while also promising easier maintenance, more power and better modulation. While testing the DURA-ACE BR-R9270 groupset, we were impressed with the incredible braking power and the simple bleeding process without having to remove the calliper, though there’s room for improvement regarding modulation. We’re curious to see how the new 105 brakes perform in comparison.
The weights and prices of new Shimano 105 Di2 R7100 components
| Component | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Cassette | 361 g (11–34T) | € 79.95 |
| Crank | 765 g (50T, 172.5 mm) | € 184.95 |
| Shift-Brake System | 352 g | € 359.95 |
| Front derailleur | 142 g | € 164.95 |
| Rear derailleur | 302 g | € 284.95 |
| Chain | 285 g | € 38.95 |
| Disc | 142 g | € 36.95 |
The Shimano RS710 carbon wheels in detail
In addition to the new drivetrain components, Shimano are also presenting two new entry-level carbon wheelsets. The C32 wheelset is said to weigh 1,504 g and is aimed at the mountain goats amongst us, while the C46 wheels are primarily intended to meet the demands of all-round riders, weighing in at 1,612 g according to Shimano. Of course, both wheelsets are tubeless-ready and have an internal width of 21 mm, suitable for the intended use.
Our initial thoughts on the new Shimano 105 Di2 groupset
The release of the all-new Shimano 105 Di2 drivetrain is a great step towards making state-of-the-art electronic shifting more accessible to more riders. And though Shimano are late to the party compared to their arch nemeses SRAM, who presented their entry-level Rival eTap AXS over a year ago, we’re convinced that the new 105 Di2 will make many bikers happy. We certainly can’t wait to put it to the test, and we’ll report back to you as soon as we have.
For more information about the new 105 Di2 groupset, visit bike.shimano.com
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Words: Photos: Manufacturer
