I’m Not Convinced!! Shimano 105 DI2... 12 Speed Electric Groupset Review 

Do you LOVE or HATE the Shimano 105 Di2 groupset?

You are 25g lower not 225g.

this is the groupset on my current bike. This year I just started riding more after just riding a bike for communting. The difference between this and the deore is crazy. It shifts so smoothly.

Almost triple the price of the old mechanical group for well established technology commonly used in RC and an extra cog. They've dramatically increased the price of the brand new 12sp 105 mechanical to make the jump to Di2 not look that bad. To me there are two ways to look at this group: either it's a terrible deal for those already using the 11sp mechanical or it makes the 12sp Di2 Ultegra and Dura Ace groups look like a waste of money. Also, SRAM's full wireless setup is clearly the better (patented) idea.

My prediction is that when you run that 105 Di2 setup, you will not be able to find any fault with it on the bike, it will just work and it will work extremely well. I run a mechanical Ultegra R8000 groupset on my Pinarello Prince. I have long contemplated moving to an electronic groupset, however, every time I get 'serious' and price things out, I cannot justify the cost based on the answer to one question, 'will this improve my overall cycling in any way?' While I do understand the various advantages of electronic shifting, when I look at a given ride and think of repeating that ride on an electronic groupset, the outcome would not have changed. If I were to switch, for me right now SRAM is winning based on the removable/switchable batteries and the fully wireless setup that enables.

I have 11 sp Ultegra Di2 on both of my road bikes. It is incredibly good but it was always expensive. Now there is an extra gear and it will be easier to install, which is cool. Still expensive. Things I like about mine. Synchro shifting and battery life. Also never needs adjusting and every shift is perfect. I charge once a month to be sure I never have a problem. What I don't like? Nothing, assuming my cranks don't break. Oh, and price. Do I need another gear? Not where I live. But time marches on.

The main reason they switched to electric is mechanical was to durable, the amount of products i have that have died following the warranty period / firmware update is suspicious. closed source technology is never good .

Tiagra, the groupset update everyone's waiting for.

I just got a Giant TCR with 105 Di2 and good carbon wheels (SLR1) for US$3,500. Incredible deal for such a great bike. The 105 Di2 is as good as any other Di2.

Cool review, My mechanical 11s 105 groups set is still running strong after 7 years of abuse. The only time i had to adjust the cable is once after a crash, and when i mount my bike on the turbo trainer.

Different between this and mechanical 105 is crazy, i mean the price not the function 😂 I hate to go di2 cuz if i need electric to shift gear why not go for e-scooters with 50% cheaper price and easier and go faster than most AVG cyclists for commuting you have to charge it to run anyway Riding is classic Its the joy of putting in the power by your legs its riding beauty of pure man power and mechanical part Not much problem when you have to charge to juice up battery but it kill those feeling and beauty all along

Shimano 105 is now available in non di2 setup 12 speed, they back tracked slightly and have introduced it, currently available in the UK for about £600

The 12s 105 groupset comes as both mechanical and electronic

there is mechanical 12 speed 105.

there's a 105 mechanical version already out, also 12 speed but only hydraulic specific

10:19 Not really about "him". These solid 105 plates never had issues, only Ultegra and Dura-Ace hollow plates were the subject of these failures.

I have both Di2 and mechanical R8000 on my bikes. I do like the Di2 more but of course could live without it. Shifting under power and the front derailleur is way better on the Di2. Also I can setup my TT bars quickly and just use buttons to shift.

Great review - just purchased for £799, my first time using an electrnic groupset.

2:38 It's worth a mention that 105 cassette does not have hyperglide+ when the other 2 does

Great review.

A good option for a gravel bike?

5:10 youve got the di2 wire installation tool, rubber grommet for the wire, and wire guide. The GG tool sets the clearance to the cassette.

Good, comprehensive initial review. Cheers to Hambini for the correction. After owning both SRAM Rival and Shimano 105 electronic group sets on bikes, I’m still not convinced electronic components are a better option than mechanical given the short and long term costs and potential problems.

It just puts 105 groupsets out of alot of folks price range.

The tools you were unsure about are for aligning your front derailleur and plugging in the electronic cables. In Germany you can get the group for as little as 870£. I think you are a bit overdramatic about the price. Also mechanical 12speed 105 exists, so they are really not taking anything away from anyone by also offering an electronic version.

I had a choice, di2 105, or ultegra hydraulic/mechanical. I went ultegra, batterys suck

the great benefit of the new 12-speed Di2 systems, apart from the extra ratio, is that your system will now communicate with your phone without having to buy and install somewhere yet another expensive add-on (D-Fly). That aside, Di2 is awesome IMHO, whether it's Dura-Ace, Ultegra, or 105.

Should I pick 105Di2 or Ultegra Di2 for my new bike ?

For as long as derailleurs systems have existed cogs have been added, people have said it serves no purpose and then every enthusiasts rode with the added cog. I'm an absolute fan of 12s on my mtb and might be tempted by 13 one day even if 12 is awesome. However for road riding as long as you have 2 chainring that 12 cog looks superfluous. Sure it has some very marginal benefits but is is absolutely not needed which makes 12 speed road "luxury options". If you want cost effective go 105 11 mechanical, it's awesome. Electronic is also luxury because modern mechanical systems are great. I do cyclocross on a grx 11 setup and it eats pile of mud and water without ever complaining.

I'm already addicted to SRAM eTap and truly wireless, and there's no room or money left in my addiction for Campy SRW.

Tried a Scott Foil with 105 di2 today. It shifted smoothly(surprise, it's straight out the shop), but I actually did not like the di2. The buttons were hard to distinguish and I wasn't sure how hard to press. Needless to say, I got over myself, went home and bought a 40% discounted 105 12sp mechanical and saved myself both the option of slamming 1080 euro for di2 or 4000 euro for the bike.

Jourdain, this 105 crankset is too cheap to obtain the privilege of breaking like the Dura-Ace or Ultegra ones😀

Good attempt, Shimano, but no 😂 I have three bikes on 11sp mech Ulterga and 105. They will last longer than me.

What are advantages of Ultegra over 105 besides weight? Better shifting?

Do you ever buy used parts? I think all of your bikes and every component on them was new, I just find it strange because I buy everything used. Or maybe it's a youtube thing.

haha very funny and entertaining. I thought it was just Ultergra and Dura-Ace cranks that "may" snap and the 105 was bullet proof? The overall cost of the groupset is too much and still wires to the rear mech, costly replacement also yikes. Think the fully wireless chinese groupset may be a better option for cost or SRAM RIVAL is quite a bit cheaper than this, fully wireless and slightly bigger gear range. I've now got 2 bikes with SRAM Force as much prefer it to Shimano now (had 105, ultegra and dura-ace in the past), more personal choice as prefer paddle shifing than the full lever movement, epecially needing a quick change when braking hard to accelerate again. Thanks for all the editing, you're a natural in front of the camera now.

Well, when my mechanical 105 needs replacement I will replace with another mechanical 105 used

Wax your chain and the chain and especially the drive train will last "forever" (almost). Sounds better too. Hydraulic brakes should be able to go for years and years. The question is if the electronics will survive. But so far both Shimano and SRAM seem to be very durable - except if you clip them. Using Ultegra Di2 12 speed myself. Probably just as good to use 105 Di2.

Things you didn't know: first one is a cable plugger/unplugger.... Helps to work with the cables without destroying them. Second: the white thing helps to align the rear derailleur to your cassette (b screw setting gauge I believe)... Rest: no idea

I searched online, trying to find a review of 105 mechanical 12 speed, but no one has bothered as yet, which I find strange. I know it's still quite new, but you'd think someone would have tested it. I'd really like to know how well Shimano 12 speed mechanical shifts, compared to 11 speed.

Electronic is it pointless. Or should I say it’s a possible solution for an issue which doesn’t exist?? I personally think it introduces more issues then any benefit. Especially when it goes wrong

I went L-TWOO... so far ok... the brakes are a little weak... but I am considering Ultegra... will not go105... the cranks I got was not like the one in the video... terrible.

11 speed ultegra seems great.

TBH, synchro shifting is nonsense to me. I got a garmin that warns me everytime the system is about to shift the FD yet it is still often unexpected when it will decide to do so. And when this happens, a lot of pedal shocks that is potentially dangerous. However, 7170 groupset works really well with 11-30 ultegra cassette and you do get the smoothness of hg+. And, I gradually become to realize that one of the biggest benefit of using di2 is in fact you have a 95% chances that hg and hg+ can work because mechanical shifting system's smoothness is also heavily affected by how do you yourself shift.

The full groupo I got here from company released batch is 900usd, definitely a no brainer

Mechanical 105 12 speed for the win xD

Electronic shifting… I would only choose it for an aero bike, to reduce the messy internal cabling

Never an investment if it devalues

5:56 written on the battery is 7.4V*500mAh Li-ion. That size would fit 2* 18650 batteries, which in series max out at 3500mAh (7.4V), so just about SEVEN times more capacity and cost ca. 10 bucks. For the price of 160 that probably would not be profitable (sarcasm).

Would be nice if there was a 52/36 option.

Dude you know the released 12 SPEED MECHANICAL Why are you bitching about price diff vs 105 11seed

Once you actually install it and use it - you'll know.

Rim brakes as well

Is it worth the money god no. The other thing that means I wouldn't bother with 105 is the lack of the customisable top buttons. My next bike will have Ultegra Di2 as standard. SRAM is going nowhere near any of my bikes MTB or road.

seems like your biggest complaint about ths groupset is price. who exactly are you targeting this video for? di2 105 is a great price especially compared to other elecronic groupsets. are you targeting this video for the person who buys bikes at department stores? it would seem like common sense to anyone that rides bikes that this is in the lower end of prices for groupsets

I like cable gearing has worked for years for me easier to repair cheaper too just feel I'm being forced to buy di2 group set's

It works beautifully. Never a missed shift, no drivetrain noise or rattle, just super quick instantaneous shifts that are so easy to accomplish that I never think twice about it. Always riding in the correct gear makes me faster and more efficient. Brakes are fantastic and haul me down from stupid fast speeds. If you’re a weenie and want to quibble about an extra quarter kilo then go buy the Dura-ace version. If you absolutely positively can’t stretch a few hundred quid then go buy the mechanical 105. But really if you’re quibbling over a few hundred quid then you’ve picked the wrong hobby.

Cant beat sram AXS its simplicity in itself.

i genuinely thought the purpose of this the di2 groupset being developed and being passed down, from to "only" shimano dura ace, to ultegra and then to 105 and up to to lower tier groupsets is to make electronic groupsets much more affordable overtime as development and production of this groupsets gets easier..... i guess shimano is just milking us out of money since theyre the only main option, also sram in the bike industry.

SHIMANO marketing department incoming in comments in : 3, 2, 1 ...

I am admittedly a Shimano rider. I made the move to Ultegra Di2 12 speed. And as Lindsey Buckingham said, " I'm never going back again." Cheers.

I’m not over that barrel ‘cause I’m sticking with mechanical…

Too costly. The 7170 di2 is more expensive than my r8020 and 4700 combined, yes electric groupset is easier to use when climbing and you will have a much easier time to install it if the groupset is set to wireless shifter. But R7170 has sprint/muti function button removed, which makes it operates more like a traditional groupset. So to me the value isn't really there.

You can get this for £499.99 now.

Jourdain, obviously you made the mistake of buying di2 - why didn't you buy axs/etap 🤦‍♂️

Shimano does not like cross chaining, maybe they should tell the Pros that 😂

The smooth shifting and easy adjustments make it worth every penny in my opinion. I hope to never go back to mechanical shifting again. That said if you don't ride at least 3000km a year maybe it is not worth it.

Yes electric group sets are expensive, but it really is amazing IMO. I spent $1k on a used sram red etap group and I'll never go back to mechanical.

Heavy expensive pig

Heavy expensive pig