Show Me Your EXTERNAL Di2 Setup!
#1
Should Be More Popular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Posts: 43,052
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
Mentioned: 560 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22598 Post(s)
Liked 8,925 Times
in
4,158 Posts
Show Me Your EXTERNAL Di2 Setup!
Gang,
I am considering drinking the kool-aid and upgrading my mechanical Ultegra 6700 to Di2. However, my Habanero is NOT set up for internal shifter cables/wires so everything will have to be external (battery/junction box/wires etc). The few external Di2 setups I have seen look fugly with zip-ties etc., but I am hopeful that it could be done without being too ugly.
Anyone have this done and have advice? Pics are appreciated.
And please don't tell me to get my frame drilled, I am not interested in that. And eTap is too pricey.
I am considering drinking the kool-aid and upgrading my mechanical Ultegra 6700 to Di2. However, my Habanero is NOT set up for internal shifter cables/wires so everything will have to be external (battery/junction box/wires etc). The few external Di2 setups I have seen look fugly with zip-ties etc., but I am hopeful that it could be done without being too ugly.
Anyone have this done and have advice? Pics are appreciated.
And please don't tell me to get my frame drilled, I am not interested in that. And eTap is too pricey.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The banks of the River Charles
Posts: 2,029
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease, 2020 Seven Evergreen, 2019 Honey Allroads Ti, 2018 Seven Redsky XX, 2017 Trek Boon 7, 2014 Trek 520
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 696 Post(s)
Liked 910 Times
in
487 Posts
It will look fugly. Save up a few more dollars and get the Etap.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Greenville SC
Posts: 4,127
Bikes: 1975 Motobecane Grand Jubile, 2020 Holdsworth Competition, 2022 Giant Trance 29 3
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3359 Post(s)
Liked 3,638 Times
in
1,244 Posts
Paging RiddleOfSteel didn't you DI2 your Prologue?
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,879
Mentioned: 38 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6963 Post(s)
Liked 10,963 Times
in
4,688 Posts
External Di2? That's only acceptable if you dress like this:
Likes For Koyote:
#5
Should Be More Popular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Posts: 43,052
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
Mentioned: 560 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22598 Post(s)
Liked 8,925 Times
in
4,158 Posts
It's an option. Also waiting for the "next generation" Di2 that MIGHT be wireless shifters (and wires just to FD/RD/Battery) is a consideration.
But I am not getting any younger and don't want to wait forever. I could likely afford the current Ultegra Di2 using my current crankset which would be much more affordable.
But I am not getting any younger and don't want to wait forever. I could likely afford the current Ultegra Di2 using my current crankset which would be much more affordable.
#6
Occam's Rotor
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times
in
1,164 Posts
What is wrong with getting the frame drilled? (I am thinking of doing that with a Soma Saga, which is why I ask.)
Also, if you want to save some money, you can get the first gen Ultegra hydraulic Di2 levers for $199 from Universal Cycles. I have these (from 2014) and they are great.
Also, if you want to save some money, you can get the first gen Ultegra hydraulic Di2 levers for $199 from Universal Cycles. I have these (from 2014) and they are great.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Hollister, CA (not the surf town)
Posts: 1,737
Bikes: 2019 Specialized Roubaix Comp Di2, 2009 Roubaix, early 90's Giant Iguana
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 643 Post(s)
Liked 1,526 Times
in
551 Posts
I've never seen a DI2 setup with exposed wires but if I was going to do it, maybe add some colored shrink tubing to the wires.
colored shrink tube
colored shrink tube
#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 527 Times
in
349 Posts
I saw a post on FB where a guy installed Di2 on his Colnago Master and drilled the frame to run internal wires. I was shocked at what a great job he did. The attention to detail made it look factory.
#9
Occam's Rotor
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times
in
1,164 Posts
Calfee will do this, fwiw.
#10
Full Member
These things will be your friend- https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/produ...2/SM-EWC2.html
If your frame doesn't have provisions for an external battery (which is a very specific vintage of bike at this point), you're stuck with something like the water bottle mount that's pretty unappealing aesthetically IMO.
It's frustrating that Force AXS eTap requires a new crankset and probably new rear hub, because the levers+derailleurs are (I think) about the same cost as Ultegra, and that's a much better solution.
If your frame doesn't have provisions for an external battery (which is a very specific vintage of bike at this point), you're stuck with something like the water bottle mount that's pretty unappealing aesthetically IMO.
It's frustrating that Force AXS eTap requires a new crankset and probably new rear hub, because the levers+derailleurs are (I think) about the same cost as Ultegra, and that's a much better solution.
#11
Should Be More Popular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Posts: 43,052
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
Mentioned: 560 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22598 Post(s)
Liked 8,925 Times
in
4,158 Posts
#12
serious cyclist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Austin
Posts: 21,147
Bikes: S1, R2, P2
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9334 Post(s)
Liked 3,679 Times
in
2,026 Posts
I'm still curious why he recommends against drilling; it's not a rare thing.
#13
Should Be More Popular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Posts: 43,052
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
Mentioned: 560 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22598 Post(s)
Liked 8,925 Times
in
4,158 Posts
I would hesitate to drill holes for the Di2 cables - your frame has the
svelte 32mm down tube, and that would make me a little nervous, as
it would tend to form a stress riser that could lead to a failure. There's
also the problem of how to poke a big enough hole in the bottom
bracket shell to allow placement of the junction box in the down tube
(it would be really, really fiddly).
#14
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: SGV SoCal
Posts: 250
Bikes: 2013 Wilier Gran Turismo, 1983 Trek 760, 80's Colnago Super, 90's De Rosa SLX, 2009 Waterford 22 Series Singlespeed, 85 Medici Pro Strada, De Rosa Alumino frameset, Dave Molten Fuso frameset, 70's beater Peugeot PX10, Zizzo Liberte, 2022 Yoeleo R12
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 122 Post(s)
Liked 199 Times
in
92 Posts
My friend sold me his 1st gen. Di2 for $300. Here are pictures of my external set up using the Shimano adhesive back cable covers.
Zip tied the upper junction box to the brake cable
Battery pack is mounted under the downtube bottle cage
The lower junction box
The RD cable is secured on the inside of the rear stay with the Shimano cable cover
The rear RD cable comes out from the backside of the rear stay
The exposed cables weren't taped down. They don't move.
The downtube cable is hidden under the black Shimano cable cover
Zip tied the upper junction box to the brake cable
Battery pack is mounted under the downtube bottle cage
The lower junction box
The RD cable is secured on the inside of the rear stay with the Shimano cable cover
The rear RD cable comes out from the backside of the rear stay
The exposed cables weren't taped down. They don't move.
The downtube cable is hidden under the black Shimano cable cover
Last edited by momoman; 09-18-20 at 05:07 PM. Reason: corrected spelling
Likes For momoman:
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Seattle
Posts: 1,957
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix, Canyon Inflite AL SLX, Ibis Ripley AF, Priority Continuum Onyx, Santana Vision, Kent Dual-Drive Tandem
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 878 Post(s)
Liked 726 Times
in
436 Posts
Two weeks back I was riding along the MUP and saw an older guy riding wearing a long sleeve jersey... and Assos Cento bibs over it. I really couldn't work out why he'd do that, other than Assos' silly graphics on the bib straps confusing him into thinking they should be proudly displayed.
#16
Occam's Rotor
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times
in
1,164 Posts
I don't know what you have, but I don't have room for a 30mm spindle in my BSA bottom bracket with the Di2 wires in there.
#17
So it is
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Westminster, CO
Posts: 21,348
Bikes: Luzerne, 684, Boreas, Wheelhouse, Alize©®, Bayamo, Cayo
Mentioned: 246 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11401 Post(s)
Liked 4,758 Times
in
2,767 Posts
Likes For LAJ:
#18
On Your Left
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,433 Times
in
1,187 Posts
#19
Should Be More Popular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Posts: 43,052
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
Mentioned: 560 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22598 Post(s)
Liked 8,925 Times
in
4,158 Posts
Likes For datlas:
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Greenville SC
Posts: 4,127
Bikes: 1975 Motobecane Grand Jubile, 2020 Holdsworth Competition, 2022 Giant Trance 29 3
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3359 Post(s)
Liked 3,638 Times
in
1,244 Posts
I found this searching through the "Retro Roadies" thread in C&V - the saddle battery mount looks really nice IMO, but no details about wire routing.
User hasn't logged on since February of this year, but maybe they would respond to a PM?
User hasn't logged on since February of this year, but maybe they would respond to a PM?
#21
serious cyclist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Austin
Posts: 21,147
Bikes: S1, R2, P2
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9334 Post(s)
Liked 3,679 Times
in
2,026 Posts
Always fun seeing a November, but that one is funny given their #anythingbutblack campaign.
#22
Senior Member
#23
So it is
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Westminster, CO
Posts: 21,348
Bikes: Luzerne, 684, Boreas, Wheelhouse, Alize©®, Bayamo, Cayo
Mentioned: 246 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11401 Post(s)
Liked 4,758 Times
in
2,767 Posts
Always fun seeing a November, but that one is funny given their #anythingbutblack campaign.
Likes For LAJ:
#24
Should Be More Popular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Posts: 43,052
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
Mentioned: 560 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22598 Post(s)
Liked 8,925 Times
in
4,158 Posts
I found this searching through the "Retro Roadies" thread in C&V - the saddle battery mount looks really nice IMO, but no details about wire routing.
User hasn't logged on since February of this year, but maybe they would respond to a PM?
User hasn't logged on since February of this year, but maybe they would respond to a PM?
Likes For datlas: