12V change groups have almost a standard in the mountain bicycle segment since SRAM revolutionized the market with its Eagle groups
monopath. In road cycling, where 11 -speed cassettes have dominated roads in recent years, they have taken longer to notice. But that is something that is about to change. Or maybe not?
The launch of the SHIMANO DI2 SEMI Wireless Transmission Group adds one more option in the gear market with 12-speed cassette, a range that seems to be the most used standard of developments for road bicycles for the coming years.
Shimano has taken to join the 12V road cycling broadcasts, but has finally entered this segment with renewed Shimano Dura-Ace and Ultegra Di2. Two groups that share change technology with wireless drive buttons, although it still retains the external battery and cables to feed the divers' engines.
Both also introduce a new 12V cassette with 11-30D and 11-34D ranges. One more crown to offer a greater range of developments to the cyclist and compete at the same time with the 12V groups of Campagnolo and SRAM. But the changes are not only limited to this. Here are all the details of both Shimano and the rest of the 12V groups currently available in the market.
Shimano Dura-Ace R9200: 12 V faster and faster
The new change system of the Shimano Dura-Ace di2 12v mixture wireless drive of the buttons, which cleanses the handlebar-power-power set, and cable circuit to guarantee a constant voltage of energy to move the diverters. This combo causes the operating time of the rear diversion to 58% and the striker in 45% without risk of interference or blockages.
Thus, the new generation of Shimano Dura-Ace still retains the external battery, which can be installed inside the armchair and guarantees 1,000 km of autonomy between load and load. The buttons, meanwhile, feed on currency batteries or button whose duration is approximately a year and a half.
On the other hand, by dispensing with the switchboard the battery charge level can be checked thanks to a luminous LED pilot integrated into the rear deviation. In addition, a port has been included in this deviation from where the entire system can be loaded.
Most prominent components of the new Shimano Dura-Ace R9200
Handles
They change design to enhance better ergonomics and cyclist management in unfavorable conditions (rain, cold, etc). The tip is now higher, curved inward to improve grip and control. On the other hand, the buttons are more separate laterally with respect to the brake lever, with the aim of raising better crowns with gloves or wet fingers.
Cassette
It is one of the stars of the new Dura-Ace. It incorporates Hyperglide+ design that improves chain retention, a solution inherited from MTB groups, and retains small 11 teeth pinion. The ranges announced so far are 11-30d and 11-34d. In addition, it premieres a new striatum for installation, also compatible with the 11V nuclei of the wheels of the previous Dura-Ace.
Connecting rods and dishes
It is also worth stopping in connecting rods and dishes. The former are offered in two versions, with or without potentiometer, and are made of aluminum. The connecting rod potentiometer uses ant+ and Bluetooth technology for data connection and has an improved sensor accuracy in 1.5%.
Chain
The Shimano Dura-Ace di2 12v group Tilizes the same chain as the current 12-speed Shimano XTR. A solution that simplifies the inventory requirements of stores and facilitates their acquisition by cyclists.
Shimano Dura-Mechanical, will there be a new version?
Shimano has opted everything for his electronic and semi -wireless technology for his high -end road group and does not seem to be hollow for a mechanical version of the group. The previous conventional version has been eliminated from its catalog.
Shimano Ultegra R8100: also 12v and semi wireless
The Japanese mid-highway range group is also renewed, sharing all the unprecedented DI2 exchange technology of the new Dura-Ace. The only difference is the construction and materials used in the manufacture of the components, which ends up adding more weight.
Also, note that it also offers the option to acquire the connecting rods with potentiometer. An unprecedented incorporation for the most desired and reliable cycletyrs.
CAMPAGNOLO SUPER RECOUND EPS
Campagnolo began to bet three years ago for 12V transmission groups and double road plate with its high super record range. And this development option has ended up reaching its mid-and a half range, with the record and the chorus, respectively.
All of them are mechanical groups, except for the EPS version of the Super Record. Its operation is similar to the previous version of the Dura-Ace Di2 Shimano, with cables that connect deviators with drums and buttons. It also has a switchboard that is placed under the power or in the horizontal tube.
Incorporates multiple change function, which can be customized through the mobile app
My Campy Thanks to its Bluetooth connectivity. Their development options are 50/34, 52/36 and 53/39 and cassettes with ranges 11-29, 11-32 and 11-34.
CAMPAGNOLO SUPER RECORD
This is the high -end mechanical group of Campagnolo, with a long trajectory behind it more than 40 years both in the market and in the competition. It stands out for its reliable and fast change thanks to the approach of the roldana superior to the smallest crowns of the cassette or its unfolded connecting rod system, which maximizes any combination of the 24 speeds available.
For their part, the handles incorporate the characteristic double curvature design with the mode of change
One Lever -one Action. Its dish options are 50/34, 52/36 and 53/39 and the available cassettes are 11-29, 11-32 and 11-34.
CAMPAGNOLO RECORD
The second high -end group of Campagnolo also adopts the 2x12, with somewhat heavier components than super record but incorporating the same change technologies and development options as the super record. In the market it would compete directly with the Ultegra, although the record has no option of electronic change.
CAMPAGNOLO CHORUS
This is the only mid -range mechanical group with 12V cassette available in the market. It emerged two seasons ago as the affordable option of the high-end groups of Campagnolo, inheriting some of their most advanced change technologies, such as the multiple crown change ultra-shift with a single drive.
They also highlight its Ergopower handles, whose design is also present in the Record and Super Record groups, as well as carbon connecting rods that are a luxury in a mid -range transmission group.
SRAM Red ETAP AX
We passed SRAM, where the 12 speeds reached the road and settled from the completely wireless change technology Axs. An ecosystem that completely dispenses with cables and trusts everything in its communication protocol between components and ant+ connectivity for the potentiometer data transfer. In addition, compatibility between components between high or medium range groups is total.
The high -end version used in competition by some professional teams is the ETAP AX Network. Enter the monopath or double plate option and trust its 12 -speed cassettes and small 10 -teeth pinion such as identity and differentiation with respect to competition.
SRAM FORCE ETAP AXS
From now on it will be the direct rival of the new semi -wireless ultegra group of 12V. The SRAM FORCE change is a version with heavier components than the Network, with combinations 1x12 or 2x12. Recently the new XG-1270 cassette expanding the range options to five: 10-26t, 10-28t, 10-30t, 10-33t, 10-36t.
SRAM RIVAL ETAP AXS
It is the latest incorporation to the supply of 12 -speed SAM road broadcasts. A wireless mid -range group with wide range cassette that has no competitor in the market. It has the same ax interchangeable batteries of the Force and Red groups. Although the complete set is heavier by adding 300 grams more than the SRAM FORCE AX.
As for the developments, it can be mounted in 2x12 or 1x12 on road bicycles, grave or cyclocross. The available cassettes have ranges 10-30, 10-36 and 10-44.
1x13 rotor: when 12 speeds are not enough
Shimano, Campagnolo and SRAM are the main manufacturers of change groups for road bicycles. And the three have 12V cassette transmissions in different ranges. Nevertheless, they are not the only ones. In the market there are other manufacturers that go further in their proposals to leave 11V changes in the past. This is the case of the Spanish manufacturer
Rotor, which has a
13 speed change group.
