BRAND NEW Shimano XTR Di2 M9050 Electronic Mountain Bike Groupset

Shimano Releases XTR Di2 M9050,  Allowing You To Swap Your Derailleur Cables For Electric Wiring

As with the road versions of the system, XTR Di2 electronically relays signals from the shifters to motors in the front and rear derailleurs. This means that shifts are consistently quick and smooth, as they aren't affected by the slackening of stretched steel cables or by contaminants within cable housings.

Photo By Irmo Keizer

Drawing on more than half a decade of past experience with Di2, Shimano has no qualms calling the 9050 the most advanced Di2 system yet. Many of the possibilities with XTR would not have been possible without the advancements of the E-Tube wiring system (which means the system isn't wireless yet).

Shimano's XTR M9050 Di2 front and rear derailleurs are exactly the same in operation and configuration as the mechanical M9000 items, with the exception of their servo-motor modules. The Di2 system is designed to sync with all of Shimano's new 11-speed components, including single, double and triple chainring cranksets.

As expected, M9050 requires the same Sil-Tech HG 11 chain that the mechanical XTR group uses, as well as the new 11 x 40 M9000 cassette. Basically then, the XTR M9050 Kit constitutes an electronic front and rear derailleur, a pair of Firebolt shifters, a handlebar-mount system display, a battery module, an E-tube wiring kit and a battery charger/computer interface device.

Because the thumb levers on the new Firebolt shifters don't have to be aligned with a mechanical mechanism, they're free to be rotated around the shifter body in order to best suit the rider. Their default position is also said to be more ergonomic than that of regular shift levers, plus they require less effort to push.

Additionally, using the Shimano Synchronized Shift function, the system can shift both the front and rear derailleurs at once via a single shifter. The system coordinates the two derailleurs with one another, so that they shift together to attain the desired gear rations without "cross-chaining."


Shimano has built in two different customizable shift maps which allow you to change when the front derailleur shifts if the terrain or personal preference warrants it, and the Display Unit can be set to put out an audible alarm that will sound just before an upcoming front shift. Riders can choose to run two shifters and change back between Synchronized Shift modes and manual or ditch one of the shifters completely.

This also offers the ability to run a left or right shifter only, which could be very handy for adaptive bikes where a right shifter (or left for that matter) may not be an option.

Speaking of shifters, XTR 9050 ushers in the new Di2 Firebolt which is a complete new take on the way mountain bike shifters are designed. Since they are simply buttons, Shimano was able to design a shifter that they say is perfectly designed with ideal ergonomics. The rotary design places two buttons directly at the tip of your thumbs. Each lever position can be adjusted independently and the buttons offer what Shimano calls "short stroke, perfect click."

Like other Di2 shifters, the Firebolt shifters are fully programmable including multi shift, shift speed and control of Fox ICD suspension. Changes can be made by connecting your bike to your computer through the battery charging USB cable and Shimano points out that you can program the shifters to perform whatever function you need them to.  
Di2 M9050 Component Weights: 
 • Front derailleur (D-type): 115 grams 
 • Rear derailleur (GS): 289 grams
 • System display: 30 grams
 • Shift switch: 64 grams
 • Battery Module: 51 grams  

How Di2 Components stack up against Mechanical M9000 XTR: 
  • Front derailleur: M9050 is 5 grams lighter
 • Rear Derailleur: M9050 is 68 grams heavier
 • Shift lever: M9050 is 36 grams lighter (if you just use one, it is 136 grams lighter)
 • Battery Module: 51 grams (extra item)
 • System display: 30 grams (extra item)

Pricing has yet to be announced, and availability is scheduled for the fourth quarter of this year.


 

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Shimano Keeps Those Upgrades Coming With Hydraulic Cyclocross and Road Disc Brakes!

After an already great year of releasing upgrades to their road

models, Shimano Finally announced their long-awaited hydraulic cyclocross and road disc brake!

 "It will debut as an Ultegra-level component in the form of the new Ultegra grade R785 Di2/hydraulic disc brake" reports Molly of CXmagazine.com



Shimano says, "Two of Shimano's marquee component technologies have combined to set the new standard in high performance road and cyclocross hydraulic disc brake and shifting systems." Their new R785 series Di2/hydraulic disc brake system will, "provide powerful, dependable performance that is tuneable for a variety of cycling uses and conditions.

The new system will utilize Shimano Di2 electronic shifting, and ICE Technologies hydraulic disc heat management system radiate out heat by up to 200 degrees via an integration of aluminum materials in disc brake rotors and pads. This ensures consistent, dependable braking performance regardless of conditions.



See Another Shimano Upgrade (11-speed drivetrain) HERE

Shimano says that mud will be no problem because the, "braking power is consistent no matter what the conditions or the descent. For cyclocross, racers can brake later in the corners, with more power and better modulation in all conditions.

Molly from Cxmagazine.com also provided a nice list of the weights for this R785 Hydraulic Brake system:

1. ST-R785 STI Shifters / Brake Levers: 515 grams
2. BR-R785 Hydraulic Disc BRakes: 263 grams
3. Brake Hose (BH59) 61.5 grams
4. Mineral Oil: 21.5 grams
5. RT99 Ice Rotor (140mm): 205 grams

Total system: 1066 grams

Details of Shimano's New Groupset 'Claris' Revealed

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Shimano has two new groupsets that will be featured on their road and mountain bikes in the 2014 model year. 

Recently, they revealed the details of this new group. Here are the specs:

Claris is what they call their new eight-speed road group, and in no way does it subtract from that 'everything just works' Shimano Feel. 

The Claris is intended to replace the 2300 components, meaning it will have low gears since it is a beginner-oriented group. You can choose between a 50/34 compact and 50/39/30 triple chainset options, and select between the sprocket clusters of 11-28, 11-30, and 11-32.

Shimano says one main focus was to improve the cohesiveness of the groupset by designing the chain, chainrings, and front derailleur to work together. 

This makes the front shifting mechanism work much more smoothly, further extending Shimano's philosophy of integration to it's cheapest group. 

The rear derailleur is available in two versions in order to accomodate different sprocket sizes. 

Shimano's high-end dual-pivot brake system is emulated in the Claris groupset, but with a chunkier look to keep the costs down, as well as one piece moulded brake pads rather than separate ones. 

The Claris groupset has levers with built in shifters (for flat bar bikes) as well as individual levers and shifters. Since the Claris will be Shimano's cheapest groupset, yet will contain many of the great features of the higher end componentry, it can very easily be used to dress up your current bike. The lever units now use the same design as the rest of the Shimano groups, making it much simpler to shift gears from the drops. 

Moving to mountain bikes, Shimano has redesigned its Deore group, once again improving the technology to make it more like the more expensive XTR, Deore XT and SLX levels.

Above all else, the new group is fitted with a Shadow RD+ rear derailleur, and new gearing options for larger-wheeled mountain bikes. It's got an internal clutch and is widely considered to be the best way to control a flapping chain. 

The new Shimano Deore offers chainsets with smaller rings to compensate for the gear increase caused by the larger wheels of 27.5in and 29er bikes. The new chainset options are 40/30/22, 40/28, 38/26 and 38/24, plus the 42/32/24 that was the only previous Deore offering.

"More Options" is a good way to describe this group, as there will also be a version for flat bar bikes with larger triples, slightly smaller sprockets and a conventional rear derailleur. Shimano is also introducing a Deore version of its Ice technology brake rotor which sandwiches an aluminium sheet between steel braking surfaces for better heat dissipation.

www.rideabike.com                                                   (704) 735-1756

116 NE. Court Square,

Lincolnton, NC 28092