Di2 wireless unit
12-05-18, 01:06 PM
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 209
Bikes: Giant TCR Advanced Pro 0 Disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 105 Post(s)
Liked 69 Times
in
35 Posts
Di2 wireless unit
Hi everyone-I just purchased a 2019 TCR Adv Pro Disc. This is the first time I'm riding an electronic groupset (and I love it!)
The bike has Shimano Ultegra Di2 but the Giant website doesn't say which model. I am wondering if I need to buy the wireless unit D-fly in order to connect my garmin to the Di2. I tried a few times to connect but was unable to. I am wondering if the bar end junction has built in wireless connectivity or do I still have to buy the wireless unit.
Finally, is the wireless unit a good investment if I have to buy?
Thank you,
The bike has Shimano Ultegra Di2 but the Giant website doesn't say which model. I am wondering if I need to buy the wireless unit D-fly in order to connect my garmin to the Di2. I tried a few times to connect but was unable to. I am wondering if the bar end junction has built in wireless connectivity or do I still have to buy the wireless unit.
Finally, is the wireless unit a good investment if I have to buy?
Thank you,
12-05-18, 01:13 PM
#2
FLIR Kitten to 0.05C
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 5,331
Bikes: Roadie: Seven Axiom Race Ti w/Chorus 11s. CX/Adventure: Carver Gravel Grinder w/ Di2
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2349 Post(s)
Liked 406 Times
in
254 Posts
Generally..unless specifically noted--Di2 bikes do not ship with a D-Fly.
I find it a nice accessory. Some don't. YMMV.
I find it a nice accessory. Some don't. YMMV.
12-05-18, 05:17 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 2,190
Bikes: Ti, Mn Cr Ni Mo Nb, Al, C
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 942 Post(s)
Liked 526 Times
in
349 Posts
Hey rower.... I was in your shoes several weeks ago. Yes you will need to buy the D-Fly unit AND an extra E-Tube wire (The D-Fly does not come with one). The unit can be installed in-line anywhere you want it. The E-tube wire comes in different lengths, so make sure you order an appropriate size based on where you plan to mount the unit.
I have mine mounted up front under my bars.
I have mine mounted up front under my bars.
12-05-18, 05:42 PM
#4
don't try this at home.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: N. KY
Posts: 5,933
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 972 Post(s)
Liked 509 Times
in
349 Posts
For most Di2 users, it only transmits the current front and rear gear position, and the amount of Di2 battery charge. You can easily check the battery level using the junction box button. I don't really care which gear I'm in, I just shift up or down as needed. And I'd rather see other data on the limited screen display area. (I do look down occasionally to verify which front chainring I'm in.)
From this story, the new DuraAce Di2 shifters have a 3rd button on the hood, which can be set up to control the Garmin display. That could be useful.
From this story, the new DuraAce Di2 shifters have a 3rd button on the hood, which can be set up to control the Garmin display. That could be useful.
12-05-18, 06:37 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 2,190
Bikes: Ti, Mn Cr Ni Mo Nb, Al, C
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 942 Post(s)
Liked 526 Times
in
349 Posts
Programing the buttons under your shifter hoods to switch pages on your cycling computer is a nice feature (not just Garmin, I have a Wahoo Element Bolt). I have a main page that displays the data I want when I ride, but pressing a button on the hoods without taking my hand off the shifters to switch to the map screen, or maybe a more comprehensive Power (power meter) screen is very convenient I find.
12-05-18, 10:08 PM
#6
- Soli Deo Gloria -
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Northwest Georgia
Posts: 14,779
Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix
Mentioned: 235 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6844 Post(s)
Liked 736 Times
in
469 Posts
I did not know it was possible to switch GPS screens from the hoods.
Very interesting.
Very interesting.
12-05-18, 11:41 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times
in
6,054 Posts
I like having it, but it doesn't do much for me. It allows my Garmin to count how many times I shift, and to tell me the battery level. The battery thing is nice.
12-06-18, 06:29 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 2,190
Bikes: Ti, Mn Cr Ni Mo Nb, Al, C
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 942 Post(s)
Liked 526 Times
in
349 Posts
Oh yeah I forgot about that. I don’t use a Garmin, but the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt does an analysis of your shifting over the course of a ride when connected via D-Fly.
12-06-18, 08:01 AM
#9
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 209
Bikes: Giant TCR Advanced Pro 0 Disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 105 Post(s)
Liked 69 Times
in
35 Posts
Hey rower.... I was in your shoes several weeks ago. Yes you will need to buy the D-Fly unit AND an extra E-Tube wire (The D-Fly does not come with one). The unit can be installed in-line anywhere you want it. The E-tube wire comes in different lengths, so make sure you order an appropriate size based on where you plan to mount the unit.
I have mine mounted up front under my bars.
I have mine mounted up front under my bars.
For most Di2 users, it only transmits the current front and rear gear position, and the amount of Di2 battery charge. You can easily check the battery level using the junction box button. I don't really care which gear I'm in, I just shift up or down as needed. And I'd rather see other data on the limited screen display area. (I do look down occasionally to verify which front chainring I'm in.)
From this story, the new DuraAce Di2 shifters have a 3rd button on the hood, which can be set up to control the Garmin display. That could be useful.
From this story, the new DuraAce Di2 shifters have a 3rd button on the hood, which can be set up to control the Garmin display. That could be useful.
12-06-18, 08:54 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,860
Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3223 Post(s)
Liked 2,050 Times
in
1,172 Posts
This was added to the 8050/8070 group. I waited for that group to be available last January, but and in practice find the buttons hard to push with my weak thumbs, thus as often as not just swipe the Garmin 1000 touch screen.
12-06-18, 10:45 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 1,993
Bikes: Argon 18 Gallium, BH G7, Rocky Mountain Instinct C70
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 512 Times
in
306 Posts
I don't have the functionality enabled on my system. BUT I do remember reading somewhere on the interwebs that you could download an open source program which would tell you the percentage of time you spend in a particular gear combination. As someone who is kind of nerdy and like jazz like that, I would find that ability interesting.
12-06-18, 12:46 PM
#12
Senior Member
From this story, the new DuraAce Di2 shifters have a 3rd button on the hood, which can be set up to control the Garmin display. That could be useful.
12-06-18, 01:14 PM
#13
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 209
Bikes: Giant TCR Advanced Pro 0 Disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 105 Post(s)
Liked 69 Times
in
35 Posts
The new Ultegra has the third button also. I got DA for myself and Ultegra for the old woman and I thought I was going to have to return it and get her DA when she noticed the paging. Feel for the button on top of the hoods. You need the wireless for cellphone programing as well or you don't. The Garmin 820 is a great match for DI2.
Another reason for me to buy the wireless unit is that we only have an apple computer and shimano software, apparently, only runs on windows. Pretty ridiculous company like shimano doesn't make software that runs on both operating systems.
12-06-18, 03:01 PM
#14
Senior Member
01-11-19, 12:29 PM
#15
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 209
Bikes: Giant TCR Advanced Pro 0 Disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 105 Post(s)
Liked 69 Times
in
35 Posts
Just bumping this since I pulled the trigger and purchased the wireless unit (EW-WU111).
Seems like it's a little different than the previous version which you can attach to the seatstay with and connect to the rear derailleur. In this youtube
video Shane Miller puts it inside the seat tube. Is it the only (or the best) place to install? Thanks!
Seems like it's a little different than the previous version which you can attach to the seatstay with and connect to the rear derailleur. In this youtube
video Shane Miller puts it inside the seat tube. Is it the only (or the best) place to install? Thanks!
01-11-19, 01:04 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 2,190
Bikes: Ti, Mn Cr Ni Mo Nb, Al, C
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 942 Post(s)
Liked 526 Times
in
349 Posts
Yeah I like the WU111 better than the WU101 you linked. They both do the same thing. The only difference is the WU111 is designed to be placed in line (connections on opposite sides vs. all on one side) and is much more compact. I put mine inline by my stem under my bars. Let me check to see if I have a pic (I'm at work right now). No need to hide it in your seat tube unless you want to.
01-11-19, 02:26 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Annapolis, MD
Posts: 157
Bikes: BMC Teammachine SLR02 Disc, Cannondale CAAD 4
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 77 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
10 Posts
The D Fly unit lets you connect wirelessly to the Di2 system by using Shimano's E-Tube app on your phone. That lets you do things like change what each button does, how fast the shifts happen, change the shifting behavior, perform firmware updates etc. Before you had to connect to the Di2 system with a box using a PC. Now just whip out your phone.
01-11-19, 02:53 PM
#19
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 209
Bikes: Giant TCR Advanced Pro 0 Disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 105 Post(s)
Liked 69 Times
in
35 Posts
Yeah I like the WU111 better than the WU101 you linked. They both do the same thing. The only difference is the WU111 is designed to be placed in line (connections on opposite sides vs. all on one side) and is much more compact. I put mine inline by my stem under my bars. Let me check to see if I have a pic (I'm at work right now). No need to hide it in your seat tube unless you want to.
01-11-19, 03:03 PM
#20
- Soli Deo Gloria -
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Northwest Georgia
Posts: 14,779
Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix
Mentioned: 235 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6844 Post(s)
Liked 736 Times
in
469 Posts
Mine is wrapped in foam and inside the seat tube, right under the battery.
-Tim-
-Tim-
01-11-19, 05:18 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 2,190
Bikes: Ti, Mn Cr Ni Mo Nb, Al, C
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 942 Post(s)
Liked 526 Times
in
349 Posts
Just pick a side on your bars and disconnect the existing wire from the junction box and mount your Wu111 inline. You will need to unwrap your bar a little (on the side you choose) to get everything routed cleanly, and excess wire tucked under the wrap (you will have excess wire if you don’t - remember the extra wire you purchased, I’m not sure how long it is).
01-12-19, 01:12 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,433
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 741 Post(s)
Liked 412 Times
in
230 Posts
I have the 9000 and I am able to switch pages from the buttons on the hoods. I changed to the newer battery so my 9,000 will also synchro shift.
01-12-19, 01:17 PM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 2,190
Bikes: Ti, Mn Cr Ni Mo Nb, Al, C
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 942 Post(s)
Liked 526 Times
in
349 Posts
Another cool feature that some may not realize...if your hood buttons are set to change the page on your computer...the left button will start and stop Laps when the bike is in motion. At least that’s how it is on my Elemnt Bolt. When the bike is stationary it will just advance the screens, but in motion recording a ride, left button starts and stops laps, right button still cycles through the screens.
01-14-19, 12:12 PM
#24
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 209
Bikes: Giant TCR Advanced Pro 0 Disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 105 Post(s)
Liked 69 Times
in
35 Posts
Just pick a side on your bars and disconnect the existing wire from the junction box and mount your Wu111 inline. You will need to unwrap your bar a little (on the side you choose) to get everything routed cleanly, and excess wire tucked under the wrap (you will have excess wire if you don’t - remember the extra wire you purchased, I’m not sure how long it is).
01-14-19, 12:14 PM
#25
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 209
Bikes: Giant TCR Advanced Pro 0 Disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 105 Post(s)
Liked 69 Times
in
35 Posts
Another cool feature that some may not realize...if your hood buttons are set to change the page on your computer...the left button will start and stop Laps when the bike is in motion. At least that’s how it is on my Elemnt Bolt. When the bike is stationary it will just advance the screens, but in motion recording a ride, left button starts and stops laps, right button still cycles through the screens.