Shimano Ultegra 6800 Review -- DA7900 Di3 Predictions

Shimano Ultegra 6800 Review -- DA7900 Di3 Predictions

Alright kiddos, sit back, relax, and take notes, you might actually learn something here.

Every year, bicycle component manufacturers dump millions of dollars into R&D. Out of these new wild innovations, a few cool tricks get applied to their top of the line sets. Where don't the innovations go to? Their lower end models. So, for 2011, you can anticipate a few things.

Shimano is scared. A lot of people out there are buying SRAM based on weight savings. I know that every day I think about buying a red group for my crit bike. Why spend twice as much on Ultegra when Rival is lighter? I would bet that you will see significant reductions in weight in 105 and Ultegra.

Ultegra may get a few carbon pieces, who knows.

What I do know is that Shimano needs to release Di3. This is a piece of the market that must be developed. It will essentially be a heavier, 9 speed, tiagra weight equivalent of Di2 and will be priced more affordably. This will essentially split the market and capture those who don't necessarily need a 15 pound bike and want a smooth, crisp shifting, low maintenance groupset.