Shimano XT Di2 11-Speed Drivetrain RRP £1599.99 (With Brakes)

The future is here! Digitally tuneable shifting customisable to individual preference that avoids issues of conventional cable-gearing.

However, the infamous Jurassic Park quote “Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should” could be applied just as easily to Shimano’s tech team. Not because of rampaging dinosaurs (although this will take a healthy bite out of your bank account) but because it simply seems like unnecessary faff; without name-dropping, I’ve ridden 1-by-9, 10, 11 and 12 speed drivetrains and never have I wished that I could tune my shifter to how I ride. Similarly, conventional cable shifting has never seemed an issue; yes, a cable can stretch or get caught, but the Di2 system still has wires which risk damage. However, it’s come on a bike I bought so I don’t have to shoulder the hefty initial price tag, reviewing it from a fairly ambivalent standpoint.

Does it shift seamlessly? Absolutely. The lever has the reassuring feel of a conventional cable system, and the bleep when you max out at either end of the range is a bonus – I suspect top flight riders (or decent mathematicians) among us don’t need a buzzer to let them know, but I found it really handy. The LCD readout is cool, in a retro 1980s-watch kind of way, and I see massive potential for where this could be going with tracking systems etc running off of a single battery. Similarly, the battery is brilliant – tucked away in the steerer and holding charge for a loooong time - I can’t envisage a scenario where it will run out. Tuning-wise I largely left it alone, although there are android and phone apps for the tech-savvy among us to fettle away with it. This, I sense, is the real selling point for the Di2. For those of us chasing that extra decimal point (and most people in between) the concept of a gearing system tuneable to you is attractive, providing a trailside talking point and potential racing edge. However, despite being quite easily dismountable (the wires are simply pushed into the main unit) I suspect many owners will ‘set and forget’ rendering it, like most top-end shocks, a fairly futile purchase when subjected to this method of use.

I’m not one to mince words when it comes to whether something is worth its price tag, and in my opinion the XT Di2 system is competitive, but I wont be rushing out to equip it on any new bike. It’s a trailside talking point, but I didn’t feel that I was gaining anything over a traditional system. Is it effective? Absolutely. Equipped as standard on a new build, I wouldn’t hesitate, and I can’t imagine the XTR feeling significantly better in any other category except weight, which is high praise! However, were I running a traditional (fully functioning) system in any of the now numerous one-by options… I’d think twice. 

Saint m810 Shifter and Derailleur / Mech

Everyone knows saint is Shimano's top of the range gravity mech and shifter, and this doesn't disappoint. Faultless, easy shifting and low maintenance - exactly what I look for in a shifter / mech combo. My Saint kit hasn't had an easy life. Rock gardens, sand, mud, loose sticks on the trail and puddles have given this mech their best shot at killing it, and it just hasn't worked. Three years on, and the shifter has worked perfectly. The mech has needed a new inner half of the cage, but this was from a stick that would have shredded anything. Despite the stick (which incidentally, ripped the spokes out of the rear wheel as well), the derailleur has needed nothing else. Even more impressive is that I rode it home fine - this mech will take a complete beating and you'll still finish the race. After the recent incident I stripped it down for a check, and it was immaculate. The jockey wheels ran smoothly, the spring was fine, all the bolts were rust free and had retained the threads. I cannot fault this at all. I know that Sram offers the X0, a mech I have not tried personally but have been assured is equally good. Now the m820 range is out, the m810 kit is going cheap. I'd urge anyone to buy it, you'll never have to do crummy maintenance jobs or time consuming gear adjustments again. Set it up, and don't touch it until its time for new jockey wheels (which is over three years in my case!). Oh, and the saint logo and black / gold / silver colour scheme doesn't detract from the bikes looks.