Worthwhile replacing first gen Shimano R785 brake levers with newer Di2?
#1
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Worthwhile replacing first gen Shimano R785 brake levers with newer Di2?
My BH G7 game with Shimano R785 Di2 hydraulic brakes. Brakes/levers work great. No issues there.
My guess to the group is I've been told the hydraulic brakes are Shimano first gen tech. The new Di2 levers come with buttons on the top that allow you to change the screens on your Garmin, amongst other things. I've also been told that the new Di2 brake levers are easier to service/bleed.
So. My question is, should I upgrade my levers? Right now bike parts are crazy expensive and hard to find - thank you covid - so maybe now isn't the best time to be making changes to my bike. Then again, changing the levers simply to get the newer tech seems kind of wasteful.
Anyone have any thoughts/experience with upgrading their Di2 levers? Thank you.
My guess to the group is I've been told the hydraulic brakes are Shimano first gen tech. The new Di2 levers come with buttons on the top that allow you to change the screens on your Garmin, amongst other things. I've also been told that the new Di2 brake levers are easier to service/bleed.
So. My question is, should I upgrade my levers? Right now bike parts are crazy expensive and hard to find - thank you covid - so maybe now isn't the best time to be making changes to my bike. Then again, changing the levers simply to get the newer tech seems kind of wasteful.
Anyone have any thoughts/experience with upgrading their Di2 levers? Thank you.
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I have r785. I ain't changing them. There's lots of things I can do with $800USD that improve my life more. Also, as you point to, you cannot buy them now or probably for the rest of the year anyway.
TBH, after 11spd--Di2 or not--I'd rather go IGH like Rohloff anyway.
TBH, after 11spd--Di2 or not--I'd rather go IGH like Rohloff anyway.
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I picked up a second set of R785 hydro Di2 levers for $200 at Universal Cycle. I thought if I smash mine up I would have a spare. The urge to build up a bike around them is overpowering. I would be surprised if the newer ones were substantially better.
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"Upgrade"? I wouldn't qualify changing out R785's as an upgrade. They were a great lever and absolutely not worth swapping out if they are working. Remember they were made for a time when there was no hydraulic option so even though they are without series they were spec'd for Dura Ace level builds.
I do like the ergonomics of the current hoods and there are some minor improvements to the hydraulics (changing the hose over to something more solid BH-59(?) and a better bleed system with the riser for the cup, etc) but otherwise they're the bee's knees.
I do like the ergonomics of the current hoods and there are some minor improvements to the hydraulics (changing the hose over to something more solid BH-59(?) and a better bleed system with the riser for the cup, etc) but otherwise they're the bee's knees.
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"Upgrade"? I wouldn't qualify changing out R785's as an upgrade. They were a great lever and absolutely not worth swapping out if they are working. Remember they were made for a time when there was no hydraulic option so even though they are without series they were spec'd for Dura Ace level builds..
Does that mean they have the Dura Ace "secret button"?
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They didn't make a Dura-Ace lever with hydraulic at that point. This is why it was a "non-series" lever and carried a number. 7 series numbers typically are an "Ultegra and Dura Ace" level number.
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If your current levers function well for you then you only need to ask how much the extra buttons and easier servicing is worth to you. I wouldn't unless I was getting a new bike.
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Kinda of inline with my way of thinking Iride01 But I thought I'd see what others thought too.
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I have a set on my bike and would like to swap them, but only because I prefer the ergonomics and aesthetics of the new levers.
However these preferences do not out weigh the crazy price of the new levers so I am sticking with the 785's.
However these preferences do not out weigh the crazy price of the new levers so I am sticking with the 785's.