Pinkbike Awards 2015: Component of the Year Winner

Jan 18, 2016
by Pinkbike Staff  
new MTB awards logo 2015
Component of the Year Winner

Shimano XTR Di2 Drivetrain


This year's Product of the Year finalists included Schwalbe's ProCore system, 9Point8's new dropper post, and Shimano's XTR Di2 drivetrain. All of them help advance the sport in some way, whether by preventing flat tires, eliminating dropper post maintenance woes, or delivering perfect shifting every single time.

Of course, there can only be one winner, and that honor goes to Shimano for their introduction of electronic shifting to the mountain bike world. XTR Di2 takes the lessons that Shimano learned from their electronic road gruppo over the last six years and applies them to a drivetrain that can withstand the mud, water, and grit that accompany mountain biking, all without missing a shift.





Shimano Di2 XTR 2015

Shimano Di2 XTR Drivetrain

The exorbitant price of the XTR Di2 drivetrain prevent it from truly disrupting the industry, but it's a sign of things to come, and it's not unreasonable to think that electronic shifting could someday be the norm at a certain pricepoint. As battery life has increased and the size of electronic components has decreased, it's becoming more and more feasible to integrate them into a mountain bike. Shimano's no stranger to alternative drivetrain technologies (anyone remember Airlines?), but electronic shifting looks like it's here to stay, especially since SRAM is rumored to be throwing their hat into the ring in the near future.

Our time on Di2 made it clear just how impressive the shifting performance of an electronic drivetrain can be, and Richard Cunningham put it best in his long term review when he wrote,
bigquotesThe bottom line is that Shimano's take on electric shifting will make you a better rider, and that is true whether you are a top pro or a rank amateur. No. You don't need it. Yes. You will want it.

Precise shifting, even under load, and the ability to operate both a front and rear derailleur with one shifter make XTR Di2 an appealing choice for riders in search of drivetrain perfection, and for that it earns the title of Pinkbike's Component of the Year.

Posted In:
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Author Info:
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Member since Jul 22, 2013
3,465 articles

189 Comments
  • 296 27
 I'd rather buy a fatbike
  • 137 5
 or a really good used DH bike
  • 11 0
 Totally
  • 36 2
 I would buy a clunker instead!
  • 20 1
 The fat bike I am buying costs half that.
  • 18 19
 a bmx, more fun
  • 17 26
flag Apostt (Jan 18, 2016 at 11:21) (Below Threshold)
 Sram's eTAP application will fit mountain bikes better.
  • 39 24
 ^ ya... but its sram
  • 3 1
 @jkipp 29 fatbike
  • 131 5
 Or a bunch of hookers and coke?
  • 3 2
 let me know when its ready for a DH rig...
  • 19 4
 I will very likely be neg propped to death for saying this, but I would rather switch to boost than ride this redundant electric drivetrain.
  • 6 3
 Or singlespeed hardtail Smile
  • 19 0
 Gonna need a USB charging wall for all the shit I cant live without
  • 3 0
 Positive vote to you my friend
  • 8 1
 Can you give me a jump so I can get in one more run.
  • 9 5
 I feel like this is much more useful and more beneficial than a pair of carbon wheels.
  • 5 0
 I'd buy a Chromag hard tail 29er
  • 265 25
 Nonsense. One of the reasons I love riding so much is NOT to have to deal with electronic systems and intervention. I use computers, cell phones etc for everything, I love the disconnect my MTB gives from the fripperies of everyday life... My commute is often the best part of the day. I never have to charge my bike, forget to plug it in etc... It is a triumph in human mechanical engineering, not a PlayStation. I'm sure di2 is awesome and all, but it goes against the very spirit of MTB for me.
  • 41 123
flag ajayflex (Jan 18, 2016 at 11:21) (Below Threshold)
 Hows that view...... from 1950?
  • 44 4
 Well said Marc.
  • 75 19
 I can understand someone not liking the idea of di2, and even moreso not wanting to pay for it. But I can't understand this as a reason for not liking it. Because there's a battery and some wires it means you're somehow less metaphysically connected to your bike and your ride? It's not like its buzzing and notifying you of chain emails from your grandma or phone calls from work. Its just shifting a gear. Surely it can't have that big of an effect.

Sure I can understand the loss of the tactile feel and sound of shifting, but if it's replaced with the seamless shifting that I hear di2 offers, then that's not so bad.
  • 16 1
 If this proves more reliable than its mechanical version, then I will prefer it once it reaches SLX.

My bike never 100% works anyways, I can't add anything else to go wrong.
  • 11 8
 Exactly harvey. If it were an electronically controlled dropper, people would be losing their minds, but for one reason or another, some people are nearly proud of being stuck in the past with gearing. Which is certainly no elegent feat of mechanical engineering, rather an inferior system built out of our necessity to keep things light and servicable by a layman. Embrace progress.
  • 48 18
 I love the people who hold back on tech, but run the latest suspension, high end drivetrains, disc brakes and the like. You wanna connect with nature and have no technology? Go take up hiking. You wanna ride a bike? Well, we're not luddites, and all the shit we ride these days has a huge amount of R&D going into it to make your life easier.

The spirit of MTB is to go out and have fun, so get off your computer, stop whining about shit you weren't going to buy anyway, and ride.
  • 6 4
 ' It's not like its buzzing and notifying you of chain emails from your grandma or phone calls from work' Not yet no, but give it time!
  • 3 5
 Haha yeah, itll sense youre late to work. And going from your gps and recent strava times, it will determine youre able to spin a higher gear to get you to work on time...
  • 10 2
 Imagine this - The day you can't shift because the battery is flat. Noooo
  • 6 9
 Two solutions;

Carry a spare.

Carry a portable charging device.

Also keep in mind these batteries get tens of hours to the ones of charging. Not exactly like most of us do 18 hours of riding before heading somewhere with a charger.
  • 3 7
flag zephxiii (Jan 18, 2016 at 14:25) (Below Threshold)
 Have a charger where you store your bike, plug it in every time (or every other).
  • 10 5
 Everything I've read about Di2 said it was freakin' awesome. I really really want it for precise flawless and near maintenance free shifting. I never wanna have to deal with cables and housings ever again!
  • 12 3
 My truck helps me get away from the world, connect with nature, and takes my bike to the trailhead. And it has a hell of a lot of electronics. So why shouldn't my bike get some tech love? It's worth more than my truck anyway.
  • 10 3
 By your rules, your favourite bike should be a solid tired unicycle. No flats, cables, suspension problems, brake pads, chain, headset, bottom bracket,.................
  • 4 2
 darn technology - the pinkbike website doesn't allow me to upvote @Marc2211 enough.
  • 1 7
flag caste1200 (Jan 19, 2016 at 1:46) (Below Threshold)
 you guys realize that pinkbike is getting paid for this right? who the hell would think this is a good idea? besides to tell your friends, hey I have more money than you and I have a di2 that will probably fail at some point in the middle of the ride so I will be f*cked up but still, got more money than you!
  • 2 1
 Marc said it best..reminds me of all the B.S. on new cars with Auto trans.Traction control & A.B.S brakes all taking out the driver and driver experience..Shit you don't need on a hunting rig..or race rig!
  • 7 0
 So I'll admit I'm a w4nker with too much money first up. I wasn't happy with the Zee rear mech and Saint shifter on my Knolly Chilcotin so I've got the new Di2 1 x 11 on it now, it's been there ever since I was able to get hold of it and it works. How well does it work, I've got an XTR M980 rear mech and shifter on another one of my bikes, this unit works better, is faster, never misses a shift EVER and has run for 6 months without charging. The shifter has a very positive "click" when used, the rear mech makes a very low whirring noise and whatever you asked to happen, happens. Everyone who has ridden the bike wants it, to the people who have decided it's rubbish before they've tried it or think that it will need charging all the time, you're sadly mistaken.
Shimano spent a LOT of money getting this right, I think it's brilliant and a step into what might be the next generation of components.
Does it deserve component of the year, I believe it does.
  • 71 5
 i would have chosen the sram GX drivetrain... making proper working 11 speed on a budget. Who spends money for this electric stuff? I rather spend it on gas to get to the mountains..^^
  • 39 7
 better take shimano XT, no XD Driver -> even cheaper and imo better.
  • 24 23
 Rode GX side by side with XT 11 yesterday. GX shifts considerably better and has more range. Stop sticking to an ancient freehub standard.
  • 17 6
 @Nobble must have been a REALLY badly set up xt drivetrain... GX feels horrible in all my experiences with it, not a nice groupset at all
  • 10 16
flag Nobble (Jan 18, 2016 at 12:08) (Below Threshold)
 Both were essentially new and professionally set up by the same people. The new XT has the clunkiest upshifting I've ever felt.
  • 13 4
 Think I've ridden almost every sram vs Shimano variant and Shimano may not feel as dialled out of the box (although that is the case 90% of the time), but Shimano most certainly will after six months of use, then in two years you can still service it, the Sram equivalent would be in the bin by then.
  • 20 12
 Shimano dropped the ball with their 11 speed stuff. I've seen a bunch of XT reviews that share my opinion. SRAM is running away with the 11 speed game IMO. You have more range and it works better. Their horizontal throw derailleurs are pretty awesome too. People need to take shimano's dick out their mouths so that shimano has a reason to actually do something innovative.
  • 7 4
 Agreed with Nobble here. XT has been excellent for many years in a row. It does not feel nearly as refined as the GX. The 2x version is even less stellar.

RRS, what issues did you find with GX? Been absolutely charming on the bikes I've set up this year.
  • 2 0
 Plus, the GX cassette is lighter than an XTR cassette. The rest of the set? Not so much.
  • 1 0
 When xt goes electric I'm getting it for sure, but keeping my spam cassette
  • 1 0
 I have XTR 9000 analog derailleur and while I have no doubts about it's function and action, the finish quality could not be more "meeeh". The clutch lever seems to come from a 1$ walmart toy car. Sram looks way cleaner. Shimano still shifts better, at least according to my likes
  • 55 14
 You can bitch about it as much as you want but at the end of the day its a good product, a great product. Doesn't mean I would use. But also the Sound of music is a great film but I don't enjoy watching it. People are always saying that the drivechain on modern bikes needs to be better and its great to see that something is being done to improve it.
  • 5 2
 The hills are alive with the sound of music.
  • 60 0
 The hills are alive with the sound of servos.
  • 5 0
 ^ Genius. haha
  • 6 3
 Better means gear box not electronics.
  • 28 8
 Hmm an actually innovative product won? Not bad pinkbike, not bad.
  • 19 3
 I thought Di2 was a ridiculous expensive gimmick when it came to road bikes, and then I rode it. Don't knock it till you've tried it. It's that good. Price is still out of range for me, but as soon as it's reasonable my bikes will have Di2. Maybe in a couple years.
  • 5 0
 Ive had it on all my road bikes and tt bikes since it was first released, absolutely love it! Wish I could have justified it on my latest mtb but the extra cost was massive over an xx1 groupset
  • 14 0
 Get out of here with your "actual experience" and "open mind". Only armchair engineers and over the top critics allowed in Pinkbike.
  • 1 0
 You can't really compare MTB with road. Before I say it, I just want to clarify that I am not prejudiced against road biking. Road bikes are god damn simple machines, nowhere close to a steel MTB hardtail. Riding them is also a very simple activity. Yes it becomes a Rampage level extreme sport on descents in Alps but still... The magic of it sits in details of fit, pedaling technique, working with pulse, hence difference between electronic and non electronic is easy to notice because you can focus on shifting action whenever you want. All race tactics don't play much role here, yes gear has to go in, in the crucial moment, it just has to be there, but does it frickin matter for actual performance how crisp and fast is the shift? Performance that we all swear to chase for the sake of winning? No... Di2 for road bikes is like leather seats in a car, a nice luxury over the top of already comfortable seat. On a mountain bike you perform more actions and shifts during half of an hour of ride than you do on a road bike during the month. So the feeling of luxury is going to disappear quickly after the purchase since you can't focus on enjoying it. Nevetheless - please buy it! It is beatiful and beatiful things deserve to be used Big Grin
  • 1 1
 How much better can it be??? At the end of the day it still changes gear in the exact same manner as a normal groupo.
  • 2 0
 I agree there's more potential for benefit on a mountain bike, but in my short time on it there was just zero slop of any kind. Particularly noticeable was the change in front derailleur shifting. It's just a system that shifts perfectly every single time. Extra cool was having shifters in multiple spots in the TT version.
  • 17 1
 Fair enough.
  • 10 3
 Di2/electronic shifting is a game changer, I've run it on my road bike for 3 years and NEVER had to adjust it once. Just like on road a few years back, the frame design needs to catch up to Di2 routing and battery needs, but it's going to be so great once it does. I hope SRAM can get their shit together and get something released soon- one-by electronic shifting with the XX sized cassette is the holy grail for me.

Also, side note, seems like powered shifting could be a way for a new component company to come to market with a mid priced offering and make a very big splash. It might also be easier to get a powered shifting setup working great than it would be to get a cable system working as well as the SRAM/Shimano - the incumbents have so many years of engineering tweaks and patents for a new company to overcome, just to get to "normal" shifting quality. Cost would be a big driver especially since Di2 has pretty large margins for Shimano, and is going to be slow to trickle down the product line.
  • 13 10
 A road bike . . . . . Really?
  • 7 1
 Xt di2 will be released by the end of the year, that's just a standard shimano trickle down. Sram will then hit back by transfering their new Etap road groupset (which is capable of taking the road 1x cassette) into a mtb form, watch what sram sponsored xc and enduro riders are using by the end of the season
  • 10 2
 You got downvoted for saying XT will be Di2 shortly and that Sram will be competing with it.

God dammit pinkbike. If you don't want to partake in the activities, you don't have to, but don't shit on other people for no reason.

Yeah. It'll be interesting to see where drivetrains end up 5+ years down the road. Di2 has been such a charm from a mechanics point of view. Setup is way easier, and as it self adjusts, people tend to wear it out much less quickly. It just makes life easier in so many ways.
  • 12 3
 The author is right, I don't need it. So, that's the whole story, right there.
  • 13 4
 I'd rather ride procore .. hahaha just kidding.
  • 7 2
 Lame. Di2 is the component of the year for .072% percent of mountain bikers. Should have been GX; it completely changed the MTB landscape to the point where almost every bike comes with it as standard. And they did it by making it affordable.
  • 3 0
 It comes down to one thing. Reliability.

It's like buying a toyota tacoma/hi lux because it's cheaper and has more gadgets instead of buying a Toyota landcruiser workmate which has less electronics but is more expensive due to the use of better materials in the basic components.

I don't want no cheap crap that catches my eye on the showroom floor. I want the confidence to go out back and beyond, safe in the knowledge that the simplicity of my parts will lead to easy field repairs in the unlikely event of a breakdown.

I ride like I'm a pro but I don't have the team support. I don't want to have to pay people to fix my shit just so I can put down faster times than guys who get given their shit.
  • 6 4
 I will have to agree. People don't really accept it yet, but it is a big step forward. In the beginning everyone hated hydraulic brakes aswell, now people can't seem to live without them. E-shifting saves you a lot of time maintaining your gears, precious time that could also be spend shredding your bike. Especially great for the guy with the full time job and lack of time to ride much. Also much more convenient for everyone.
But as long as the SLX line won't be electric, it will be way out of my budget. But that's just a matter of time. Hope they'll start with e-XT's soon.

PS: Huge price tag indeed. Thereby I think the technology that the XTR uses deserves to be the winner. Not necessarily the expensive dérailleur itsself.
  • 7 1
 I never hated hydraulic brakes, loved them from the start. Also in the 10months I've owned my bike, "maintaining my gears" has accounted for about 2 quarter turns of a knob and replacing one inner shifter cable that didn't really need changing.
  • 4 1
 Shouldn't component of the year be something everyone rides/wants/needs? Innovative? Maybe, but I have never seen it out there, and probably never will because it's a step in the wrong direction.
  • 3 0
 9point8 dropper? Pro-core? You mean the stuff that wasn't available to the general public for the vast majority of the year?
Yeah... What about stuff people can buy in the damn year?
  • 2 0
 I am sure that it's a great product, but it seems that once you add energy to a bike that's not human powered, it seems artificial/ more like a dirt bike.

All the new tech helps the human use their own power better and more efficiently. The battery seems to sever that connection to the bike/ or replace it entirely.
  • 7 3
 A friend just payed £250 to service his di2 that included cables and a retune...
  • 8 2
 Cables?
  • 14 1
 Thats what he said but now you brought it out i sound like a tit
  • 2 1
 hahahaha
  • 2 1
 No wonder it cost so much. I hear those see-through cables cost a fortune.
  • 14 0
 Multicored wires in a common housing are referred to as cables.
  • 8 6
 What did they possibly do to cost that much? The entire cable set isn't even $200 USD. The tune is literally tapping a dozen buttons and doing the limits. I charge less to tune Di2 as it's so quick.

Either you or your buddy is full or shit, or he seriously needs to go to a new shop.

But seriously, how are these posts getting upvoted? A two second google shows that this is false. Stop listening to hearsay on the internet, go form your own opinions. The circlejerk is real.
  • 5 0
 Comedy! They award the one component no one has ever ridden.
  • 1 0
 I have absolutely no problem with innovation or change and am not one of the people who will talk about the 'purity' of the MTB experience somehow being violated by some wires with electrical charge on your bike. However, this technology just doesn't pass the simple cost/benefit test yet so it's hard for the average rider to justify having it. I'm sure it works like a dream but when you can have a full XT mechanical setup for a small fraction of the price I just don't see why that money wouldn't be better spent elsewhere (fork, rear shock, cockpit etc). I'm sure eventually it will trickle down and the price will drop some in the future. Until then I'll be a luddite and my wallet will thank me.
  • 6 2
 Until the electro shifter comes internally without the Achilles heel of the rear derailleur its a bit of a duct tape job
  • 1 0
 Cant really comment on the product as I've not tried it. I know with its current price tag I wont be trying it for a long, long time. It may be a game changer for rich folks now, so lets hope they use trickle down tech to make it affordable for everyone in the future. I personally admire those who go for single speed and bust a lung on every ride, some of us like simplicity some don't.
  • 1 0
 I got to see SRAM's eTap in action at their Chicago headquarters last month, it was VERY impressive. NO wires, unlike Shimano. First time I think I ever touched a road bike. If it eventually makes it to mountain bikes, it'll be cool. But at $2.5k+, I ain't buying.
  • 1 0
 it kinda feels like we'll be gradually seeing more AstonMartin level bikes.
even w/DH rigs...there are probly gonna be more & more wannabe well to do riders that can shell out
7-8k for a rig. not really my style, but i xpect lotsa bike industry types are lovin' this trend
of upselling w/new bikes & upscaling w/aftermarket components.
these buyers will probly shell out $$ for coaches at xpensive bike retreats too!!
  • 1 0
 No matter what you do with derailler gear systems, on a mountain bike in the UK they get muddy, in the desert they get sandy, and they wear out. The chain moves about up and down changing position affecting suspension. On road bikes all of this is less important, but on mountain bikes with millions and millions invested in suspension we see Shimano et al following fashion instead of sense that could help our expensive suspension. The only good thing about derailler systems is the energy transfer efficiency from rider to wheel, but for a tiny loss in efficiency we could all see the likes of Shimano investing in real gear systems, and if they want they could make those electric too, and even smoother, better shifters without electric shifting. Leave the deraillers to the roadsters and the cross country racers I say.
  • 1 0
 Innovative would be a whole new style of sealed drivechain, not just a fancy version of a derailleur and multiple chainrings. Someone wake me up when they invent a light hub or crank gear system that works with a huge range.
  • 4 4
 I disagree for several reasons:

You can't run a 1x11 thats wide enough. 11-40, even if they eventually support 11x42 isn't quite wide enough. Sram, with 10% more range, just squeaks by. I know that a 2x11 gives you more, but tell that to a Kona process owner, or any of the newer bikes that don't support a front derailleur anymore. A front derailleur adds weight, complexity, and needs a chainguide.

Battery and electric motor tech hasn't stalled, but its plateauing. Lipo batteries in RC cars haven't changed their capacity/weight in over 10 years. Ditto in brushless servos. Governments and companies like Tesla and Samsung are dumping billions into battery research, and we are at a point where the improvement is very incremental. A 10% increase in capacity/weight would allow it to be 10% lighter, which would be a herculean effort to get to for only a few grams improvement. The same for a 10% decrease in battery costs; that would barely budge the MSRP and it would take a great leap forward in lithium tech.
  • 7 2
 Front derailleur needs a chainguide? What?
  • 4 2
 You can't run a narrow-wide, so you need a chainguide to retain your chain.
  • 2 1
 lol are you serious??
  • 19 3
 To me 500$ rear derailleur makes it a big No-fricking-way, unless they provide free crash replacement for at last 2 units. I assume that it works great but I do not think any journalist from any site/mag would ever give an award to something like that if he'd have to pay for riding it. No way those guys would put 500$ on the line of rocks or someone's shoe or tyre. By the time crash the second one you will say: fk it I want a mechanical one, while you have already spent 300$ bucks on shifter, display and a battery. It's just one step too far from roadies.

Electronically controlled gearbox? TOTALY! rear mech? Not in the whole world, not even if someone gives me one for free. Just because it is too bloody expensive to replace it. Only that.
  • 2 1
 @hamncheez What kind of guide are you talking? A top guide? Where would you put it? And a lower guide is mostly supplemented by a clutch rear derailleur.
  • 3 1
 @WAKIdesigns I would give you a million up votes and my left testicle for an electronic gearbox...
  • 2 0
 Yeeee
  • 1 0
 @hamncheez i like it. If it were in a box and protected i wouldnt mind paying the astronomical cost. Where as when its hanging around the rear axle no way.
  • 1 0
 I don't mind paying lots for a genuine technological diamond (that's why I will be buying Öhlins damper and fork as soon as I save enough money) but at the same time not all invention cost fortunes. I think Shimano still deserves this prize for sticking their head up. A big part of potential customers already have electronic shifting on their road bikes so they will surely go for this one or at least for the upcoming XT.
  • 6 5
 I'm not a fan of Di2 XTR but Pinkbike guys can say whatever they want it's their house. My dad likes automatic gearboxes, I don't tell him that he's stupid and deprived of morals...
  • 9 1
 To his face at least.
  • 6 2
 Why should I? I drive automatic from time to time and couldn't be less bothered. Off course, just like every petrol head I would never chose it when I put on the race overall and get into F1 or WRC car, which happens to us at least 3 times a week. You may not have noticed it but most people here are World Cup racers, hiding their identity behind aliases with no pictures posted, to not pixx off their sponsors with their keep it real beliefs Big Grin
  • 3 1
 It's really quite honourable how they don't brag about their credentials, they just share their opinions. Pinkbike really is the best of bikers.
  • 4 0
 Yeah but you live in Europe. Every year here its harder and harder to find cars with manual transmissions. I blame your father.
  • 1 0
 How do I make it work on my single speed?
  • 2 0
 I'd think that the winner of best component would be a product that more than 1% of riders actually use. Gotta make that money though!
  • 4 0
 f*ck electronics systems in mtb!!
  • 2 2
 procore is so much more important because of it offers a significant decrease in flat tires, which i'm sure most of us is the bane of my bikes. It's Much more important of a revelation in wheel tech than elaborate pricey shifting that needs plugged in....

derailleur cables never need charged, work, and really only require a quarter turn of a barrel adjuster every ~hundred hours, which is best and easily done while riding. di2i sounds like a complicated solution for a problem that doesnt exist.

tisk tisk to you pinkbike for encouraging silly consumer glutony, and directing fools to expensive unnecessary stuff.
Btw, where are the in depth review of procore and di2 for mtb?
  • 1 0
 I love my di2. Go tubeless if you can't handle the pressure. Or should I say, the loss in pressure
  • 1 1
 "Things to come..."
WOW I must think that riding will be dead, unless you put solar panels on my top tube.
Funny enough, being 2016 that they went through the effort of making an e-front mech.
Let me know when these finicky gadgets run off nuclear power, or better yet, self-winding watch mechs.
I'm going to ride tomorrow on hydraulic brakes and auto-pilot-less vision while I can...
Keep dreaming, Shimano.
  • 1 0
 What "problem" is this high-tech cost-fest meant to be fixing? I just adjusted my XO 3x10 for the first time in 18 months... Took ten minutes. It's never let me down in five years of regular riding...
  • 1 0
 I'm waiting for the day Shimano make an affordable gearbox combined with electronic shifting. I suspect I'll also need an e-bike by the time that happens though Frown
  • 1 0
 I hope Shimano is looking to develop a gearbox.
  • 1 1
 probably many people don't like it because of it cost a huge money to afford, but if it is cheap it will be a different story here. to me it is an innovation in MTB, really good innovation, we have to open our mind to that.
  • 1 0
 my thumb is always so sore after biking from all that pesky shifting. what an innovation! can we make an electronic doodad so my legs don't get sore from pedaling too?
  • 4 2
 would have wanted XT, just because it's cheap, but can't complain about XTR Di2.
  • 4 1
 Can't wait for XT Di2 to drop this summer.
  • 2 1
 An xt level di2 is going to be the thing that will really be interesting, the xtr is super sick but so out of reach for lots of riders
  • 3 0
 I think it's Great ...but i dont NEED it
  • 12 11
 F all these stupid awards , who cares about best blah blah xc race of the year blah blah , plus size blah blah electronic this blah blah ... F off
  • 8 1
 Its a pretty slow time of year for racing and product releases.. at least they're coming up with some content for us to look at.
  • 1 0
 Singlespeed 4life haha Smile
  • 2 0
 HaHa PinkBike is trolling ... so, what really is the product of the year?
  • 1 0
 This could be one of those product of the year that 99% of us can't afford for that next 10 years ( when its finally available in lowest Deore class).
  • 2 0
 It's still a wire. I don't see the big deal. If it were wireless, now that would be cool!
  • 1 0
 While it is a good step forward, gearboxes are what I would like to see and not cost sooooo much. Slx di2 will be intriging since I might be able to afford it.
  • 1 0
 Get outta here with the electric crap. Why would anyone spend so much money on shifting? Guess they have to vote for something.
  • 1 0
 But but... is it waterproof.

lol at 3,500$ some Shimano made in China, make sure you go out when solar flares are at minimum.
  • 2 0
 Can it send a tweet while shifting gear? If not what's the point?
  • 2 0
 And I just started to think about BB7 mechanical brakes for my Aggro HT...
  • 2 0
 How many people actually rode this last season?
  • 12 11
 Everybody say: f*ck electronic on my bike !!!
  • 2 1
 that drive tran is super expensive.............period
  • 1 1
 How's about instead of bringing out the new gimmicky shit and get everyone together and agreed on these insane 'standards'?
  • 1 0
 no one can afford this hunk of junk anyways
  • 1 1
 no place for electronic on a bike, I am stuck with that IE crap from Lapierre on my bike and just hate it!
  • 1 1
 I think it can be the product of the year only for it's exotic. That's all.
  • 1 0
 I'd be interested to see how Di2 would cope with a big crash...
  • 5 8
 Until you cram it into a rock... then you're out $2800 while looking like a fool. Can you image what a new nicely spec'd bike would run you running one of these jokers?! I can here the LBS squeaky voiced grom now, "That'll $11,000 sirrrrrr" psh, PASS!
  • 21 2
 How on earth does one rock take out an entire drivetrain? Do you have mutant rocks in America?
  • 3 5
 And how did that 2800 figure morph into 11k? Holy shit.

People are upvoting this shit. f*ck. Guys. Stop trying to hate it, go give it a try, and see just how bloody awesome it really is.
  • 2 2
 The scott spark ultimate is pushing $15000 CAD
  • 2 1
 Last I checked, a bike isn't a drivetrain.
  • 1 1
 Did you miss the part where I said "a nicely specd bike running one of these " read it over again.
  • 1 1
 You'd be amazed! Haha
  • 1 1
 No one wants to try this nonsense, definitely not for 2800, thats such a rip! Its not even wireless, give me something wireless and I might be impressed but not for nearly 3k. Mountain bike pricing is becoming stupid outrageous.
  • 1 0
 You're still incorrect.

We sell Di2 level bikes for around 2-3k in ultegra spec, 5-6 in Dura Ace. XTR will be similar pricing. Past that, nobody pays retail. You're a chump if you expect to.

And that still doesn't explain the $2800 rock hangup. Admit it; you're shitposting.
  • 3 3
 This should have won the innovation of the year award too! Electronics are the next step to bike evolution, not wheel sizes!
  • 3 1
 No. No. No.
  • 2 1
 I think drivereight is right whether you like it or not. Will shimano roll it out over their whole range? Only time will tell. The issue for me is that it is still a derailler (albeit a bloody expensive and probably very well functioning one) and prone to damage and wear by virtue if its location.
  • 2 1
 What makes electronics completely different from playing with the wheel size is the fact that whether we are talking gearing or suspension control, those things are so much more expensive that they will not phase out mechanical bits in any close future. Even if SLX Di2 comes along, the price of the shifting package (shifter, mech, battery, controller) will still be around 400$ at best (since XTR is around 900$, Di2 Ultegra vs Dura ace 250$ vs 450$ - also take note that current SLX costs half of mechanical XTR), while mechanical SLX mech/shifter pack costs 120$. It's just waaay too much for an average Joe to consider it.
  • 1 0
 drivereight absolutely disagree with you! I saw how this transmission works. And for me it is very strange when it shifts the biggest rear and front chain-rings at the same time. It is not correct way of shifting. Also about the wheel sizes evolution. It was inevitably because of people's average height becomes bigger. (it is scientific fact besides) And as for me XXL frames looks ridiculous on 26 inch wheels. Because of the maneuverability of people 180 centimeter height on the 26 inch wheels is the same of people 200-210 centimeter height on the 29 inch wheels.
  • 1 0
 Ivan - while I agree with you that XL frame with 26 wheels looks stupid (so do 275 wheels in that size), your premise of relating wheel-size to people getting taller is a failed one since first of all nobody has ever chosen the 26" wheel to become a standard, using any ergonomic study. This is the size of tyres they got back in the days when launching mass production of MTBs. It was the same with 29 - so it's a comparative exercise with no data to back it up. There's never been as much of pseudo science in MTB world as with the arrival of 275 - so end of story. Same happens to road bikes where bike fit is muuuuuuuuuuch more important than in MTB. Yet they all ride 700c wheels.
  • 1 0
 WakiDesigns. Thanks for interesting information! But I don't understand. (maybe I just read your comment in wrong way) So you think that 27.5 is the end of the story and in MTB soon there will be no 26 or 29? If you really mean this I have a little counterargument... Yes wheel sizes doesn't pertain to my strange theory about people's tall :-)) But now when all of these three standards are on the market it can start to pertain to people's tall! For example I have neighbour 170 cm tall and a colleague 210cm tall. It has happened that they asked me to help them to choose bikes. The one who is 210 cm tall looks like an adult on children's bike when he sit on 26 inch wheels bike. And for the one who is 170 cm it is just to hard to maneuvering on 29. So the best choice for them is 170-26, 210-29. Maybe I am wrong but I think these three standards and soon will be related to tall. The time will show!
P.S. Many things depends on how these products will be presented to the newbies by the market consultant. If now when 27.5 appeared they will tell everyone to buy only them then soon only one standard left.
  • 1 0
 No I didn't mean that with end of story, however they do seem less needed now when Plus sizes came along. There may be another twist in the story soon, if some company introduces tubular tyres with more aggressive pattern and trail bikes, maybe even Enduro bikes, will get the benefits of increased contact patch. We also have to observe how procore stuff develops. Lots of grip related issues unrelated to the size of a lad riding the bike. I also see no problem with running S frame on 29" wheel. It's a different handling/ grip characteristics and compromised with the wheel size concerned and we do all learn to adapt using pros of one type over the other, avoiding situations where cons come up. For instance all this BS with playfullness and poppiness of 26 - what if someone's good to manage trail while keeping the bike on the ground instead of needing to hop over stuff? Compare Brosnan and Gwin - first happy to be in the air wherever he can and the latter keeping the wheels planted? Both on the same bike
  • 7 8
 I have no interest in running a computer on my bikes. Nothing but a money grab. Good for Shitmano for winning the award but I'll stick to my good old Sram cable shifting!
  • 1 0
 In extreme disciplines Sram always be the first! Check out the XG-795 MINI in Sram's X01 series. I loved it from the very first view! I don't like to switch 11 speed cassettes. I think they are useless for extreme. But I don't have enough money for SramX01 transmission yet :-((((
  • 2 1
 I don't give a fuck about your opinion I like that
  • 1 2
 My previous joke comment... ( Who exactly do you work for PinkBike?!? ) got removed... It was obviously a joke, but now i'm not so sure..
  • 4 0
 lol...Oops spotted it... Damn this phone...So not Big Oil then Wink
  • 2 0
 Will it blend?
  • 1 2
 Makes perfect sense. New technology that isn't just a fresh paint job on the same old shit. It opens up entirely new areas of R & D for shifting.
  • 1 1
 Remember kids the types of riders who are going to use Di2 are WC XC racers. its not a enduro/dh grouppo its XC
  • 2 4
 I hope this catches on and they start using the same batteries that they are using in the hoverboards. How cool would it be to see someones bike burst into flames when they shift into high gear.
  • 1 0
 haha I find it funny that theres a sram ad at the top of the page
  • 1 0
 As much as i like Di2, this is not a component, But a component group,
  • 2 1
 I'm in for a SLX Di2. Bring it on!
  • 1 0
 Wild prediction: XT Di2 by Sea Otter.
  • 1 0
 Just wait until the SRAM wireless version comes out! Super easy set up
  • 1 0
 I have to take a 2nd mortgage to get this stuff.
  • 1 0
 Technology was great. It just went on too long.
  • 1 0
 How much is the drivetrain anyway? Anyone?
  • 1 0
 so basically 2015 was a crap year for components
  • 3 3
 best product should be cheap to
  • 3 3
 Now they're just pissing people off.
  • 1 0
 Absolutely agree!
  • 2 1
 shiMANo..
  • 1 0
 how much was this again?
  • 2 1
 Haha nah
  • 1 1
 Haha...pretty funny pink bike
  • 1 3
 for shits sake, shift the gears yourself, thats what your fingers are for. Soon shimano will have elextronic braking, analyzing the upcoming trail and braking for you!
  • 1 1
 pinkbike awards are so shit lol
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