Koyote

I just skimmed this thread. Hilarious!

I understand someone looking for the best option...But for anyone who came of age in the era of five-speed freewheels and such, this argument is a bit like debating whether a Lamborghini is superior to a Ferrari.

JohnJ80

nope. Just direct.

vane171

I'd say, its more like difference between a regular Ferrari and its more pedestrian California model. The latter (the way I understand it) is way more easier on maintenance in longer term ownership for the regular owner, while those other more racing like Ferraris become a headache down the road to keep them up maintenance wise, unless you have deep pockets.

In this respect, eTap is like that regular Ferrari and Di2 its California version, that is as far as their 'practicality' goes. Performance wise, it is probably the reverse.

eTap has the racier looks, cleaner cockpit, Di2 looks like the regular mechanical shifting, maybe even worse due to the visible cable connectors.

GlennR

Porsche.

GlennR

Di2 is the "safe" choice

Like buying a Camry vs M5. (¬j/k)

veganbikes

Having ridden Ultegra Di2 for many years now I can say I have no reason to switch to ScRAM. I charge only a handful of times a year (probably just to keep a schedule more than anything) and it works quite nicely. The SRAM system just doesn't seem as exciting to me. Wireless sounds really cool but in practice you need a way to power those devices and so more batteries and I don't need 4 batteries on my bike just the one is fine. Easy to charge and deal with.

I will say the ergonomics of the non-hydrualic SRAM levers are excellent but honestly playing around with eTap I wasn't that impressed.

Doge

Uh - no it is not. There is a difference. One is AWD the other RWD. I was told a week ago by some group cyclist that my son said "I hope I enjoy flight fighters as much as cycling". Cycling and flying fighters might compete for enjoyment, but they are different. SRAM and Di2 are different. Blind folded (on the back of a tandem for safety of course) I could tell what was being used. I know both quite well, I know the DA better and buy more of that. Beyond the electronics the one that works better with cables also works better with electronics.

If you like light new and inovative and pushing the edge but not tried and true - go SRAM.
If you like tested, harder to install, a wee heavier with crisp and smooth shifts and brakes there should be no doubt which to go with.

Atlas Shrugged

More like a Camry vs Chevrolet Malibu.

Danhedonia

I run into the same psychological barrier with eTap / Di2 that I do with e-Bikes: concern. I'm not anti- (and have strong reasons for wanting an e-Bike) but *skeptical.*

My thinking says: this electronic shifting sounds tremendous. And I have a friend whom I greatly respect (thousands of miles away) - and often agree with - who loves it.

And then I think: how many times have I forgotten to charge a battery? (Answer: more than I feel good about admitting). A sport watch; a tail-light; my phone (yipes bcos as we all know it's now our primary piece of emergency gear these days). And I have had things 'not work as designed.' Needed a firmware update (KICKR CORE) or what have you.

And all I can think is: the more variables introduced into an equation, the more that can go wrong.

I think I'm hearing that Di2 has made it to that 'very stable' part of the product life where there aren't lots of issues; it works as designed, pretty much out of gate. And then I think "terrific ... maybe I'll be able to purchase a bike with Di2 in 2024 or something."

All the while, SRAM's available. But I hate the looks, and ... well: Bauke Mollema Principle (Effing SRAM).

Bewildering for someone who wants to make the leap.

robbyville

I’m curious from the longtime SRAM users; what does the contact point between battery and unit look like? Could there be a longer term challenge in pulling the batteries to charge regularly and wear?

just like my Garmin has had problems after a few years of being plugged and unplugged so often that it eventually gets worn enough the it doesn’t always charge.

I haven’t had that happen with my shimano yet and the actual plug in seems insulated but if I were to have a problem it would be resolved with a new junction box.

is this a non issue?

DaveSSS 

The SRAM AXS batteries don't plug in. There are two stationary contacts on the battery and two spring loaded pins, with a significant length of travel, on the derailleurs and 3 pins on the battery charger. Those pins push against the flat surface of the battery contacts. If those pins ever quit moving, then there would be a problem. It's not likely that the batteries will need to be charged more than 10-15 times a year, so I would expect a long life.

JohnJ80

they're spring pins as noted above. That’s a pretty common sort of connection in electronics. Often you something similar to them in “bed of nails” production testers for electronic assemblies/components that see thousands upon thousands of connections. It’s not an issue.

jbasirico

I have both Ultegra Di2 and Force AXS and they're both awesome. The Ultegra Di2 is on a road bike. I chose it because it's rock solid, cheaper, and lighter than AXS. The Force AXS is on a gravel bike and I chose it because the AXS big shifter buttons work a little better with winter gloves on than the small Di2 buttons, the gearing available with Force AXS is much wider than what you can get with Ultegra, and AXS rear derailleur has a clutch on it. I will say that it took a bit of fiddling to get the AXS front derailleur exactly right (I had a couple chain drops as it was installed from the factory). But since I I got it dialed in and also added a chain catcher, the front derailleur has been perfect for several hundred miles now.

I think the price difference alone makes Di2 (specifically, Ultegra) the hands-down better choice over AXS unless you have to install it yourself or have other reasons to choose AXS (as described above). Unless the prices have changed since I last bought one.