Programme the video recorder. Set up the WLAN router. Connect Smart TV. Tried everything. Always failed. I'm somehow too stupid for smart technology. It was a mixture of curiosity and audacity that made me snap my fingers when a kilometre-hungry test driver for the brand new, electro-forced Shimano Di2 was sought. There was a hint of scepticism. Not so much because of the plug-in cable, with which the gearstick needs to be refuelled every 1200 to 1500 kilometres. But because of the artificial intelligence that this technological marvel is supposed to possess. Shift direction, shift pattern, even shift speed - it does everything according to the driver's wishes. Special requests via WLAN? No problem thanks to the smartphone app.
However, a handyman app would be more helpful. At least if you have the Fit Shimano XT Di2 set yourself wants. I stared at the cables with which the rear derailleur, front derailleur, levers, battery and control unit/display were to be connected. Each connecting piece has to be ordered individually and in the correct length. Which requires engineering knowledge. The instructions for use and assembly can be downloaded from the Internet and, when printed out, contain more pages than the current book by Benjamin von Stuckrad-Barre. There is something magical when the derailleur finally comes to life with a short, snappy buzz. The shifting sensation is hardly any different from that of a normal gearstick. This is due to the mechanical design of the levers. Is that supposed to be innovation? Of course not. The Shimano XT Di2 only reveals its potential when the left lever is removed. This is because the front derailleur and rear derailleur can be operated with just one lever. This is called Syncro Shift. When the chain climbs onto the programmed sprocket, it beeps. The derailleur then drops the chain onto the small cog the next time the lever is pressed. Meanwhile, the rear derailleur corrects one sprocket downwards so that the gear jump is not too high. Two different operating modes can be selected via a display button.
Di2 front derailleur in shuffle mode: What does the Shimano drivetrain do?
So I pedalled many enjoyable kilometres, accompanied by the humming of the Di2. But what was that? In the windswept hairpin bends of the Tremalzo Pass, of all places, the front derailleur took on a life of its own. It seemed to be in shuffle mode. Luckily there was a BIKE festival going on down in Riva. So off to the Shimano stand. After a long search, the fault was found. A small screw that supports the front derailleur mechanism had come loose. After tightening it, it worked again. Shortly afterwards, I even managed to connect the XT Di2 derailleur to the mobile phone app (E-Tube) via Bluetooth. A feeling of triumph flowed through me. Unfortunately, I couldn't think of anything I wanted to reprogramme.
Marathon in Willingen, three weeks later: I had just climbed the first summit with brisk pedalling when the Di2 suddenly refused to work. I fiddled with the gear lever like a madman. But the rear derailleur only jerked back and forth between the 11th and 13th sprocket. The front derailleur beeped in confusion. After 52 horrendous kilometres, I panted to the finish of the short distance. Marathon ace Karl Platt, also a Di2 rider, took a look at my bike. He pressed the reset button. Bingo. The XT Di2 on my MTB was working again. Apparently the rear derailleur had taken a knock and had frozen in "crash mode" - to avoid an expensive repair. In case a branch got caught. You have to know first. I felt a little uneasy when I set off with the Di2 weeks later on the infamous
A distance of the Salzkammergut Trophy - 211 kilometres and 7119 metres in altitude. Right from the start, it was pouring with rain. But while the riders became more and more weary with every kilometre and gave up in droves, the Di2 did its job unimpressed. The gear lever did become stiff at some point due to the constant bombardment of mud. But that was it. Even annoying chain jamming, as usual in the mud, did not occur. When I rolled into the finish after 13 hours, the chain, the original large chainring and the sprocket set had been refurbished. But the shifting function was flawless.
Function 6 out of 6 points
Durability 5 out of 6 points
Test summary of the Shimano XT Di2 drivetrain
No doubt about it, the Shimano XT Di2 works perfectly. It is robust, but also a bit like a pet. You have to look after it. If only because of the battery. A fascinating high-tech system. For purists, however, more of a game than a tool.
DriverHenri Lesewitz (45), BIKE reporter
Rides bike since 1989
Weight / Size 81 kg / 1.79 m
Driver type Marathon, sporty tours
Favourite area On the doorstep
Shimano XT Di2 - the facts
Weight: 2203 gram*
Gears (gradation): 2x11 (26/36 - 11/40)
Priceapprox. 1500 Euro
Info: https://www.paul-lange.de/shop/de/s/shimano/
*Syncro Shift: The weight refers to the Di2 with Syncro Shift mode - with only one shift lever. The mechanical XT 2x11 groupset (M8000) is 40 grams lighter and €885 cheaper.
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