Why 11 speed? For Shimano Di2, shifting feels the same for 10 speed or 11 speed systems. This is because the shifters can be the same, as they are just buttons that activate the derailleurs. Therefore, there is actually no real need or incentive to upgrade my 10 speed Ultegra Di2 system on the Dahon Boardwalk to 11 speed.
My original objective is to set up another bike with flat handlebar Di2 shifters. That would mean that I need another set of Di2 components, such as the derailleurs, battery, junctions and etc. One way is to buy another complete set of Di2 components for the other flat handlebar bike. However, the other bike can only accommodate up to 10 speeds due to the freehub on the rear wheel. It would not make sense to buy the older 10 speed Di2 components, when the 11 speed Di2 components are already available and at the same price as 10 speed Di2 components.
Some time ago, I had changed the rear hub on the Dahon Boardwalk to a Chris King R45 11 speed rear hub. However, the drivetrain remained at 10 speed Ultegra Di2. Now, I can finally make use of the 11 speed capability of the rear hub and upgrade to 11 speed!
The plan is to get the new 11 speed Di2 components for the Dahon Boardwalk, and then transfer the 10 speed Di2 components to the flat handlebar bike. This would be the easiest way as I don't need to get any new wheelsets for the bikes. At the same time, I would also be able to compare the 10 and 11 speed components in more detail. The components to transfer over would mainly be the 10 speed Di2 RD and FD only.
As shown below, here are the new components for upgrading the Dahon Boardwalk from 10 speed to 11 speed. I chose the 11 speed Ultegra 6870 Di2 components, as they are much cheaper than Dura-Ace Di2 components and work just as well.
Ultegra 6870 Di2 Front Derailleur for 11 speed system
Quite lightweight at only 138 grams, considering that it houses a servo motor inside. Much smaller size than the previous Ultegra 6770 FD.
Same locations for the High, Low adjustment bolts and the support bolt.
New plastic clip at the rear of the FD for holding a stray Di2 wire
Di2 wire connection point has been changed from the top-front to the rear-bottom of the FD, probably for better appearance.
Ultegra 6870 Di2 11 speed Rear Derailleur, short cage version
Healthy weight of 256 grams for the Ultegra 6870 Di2 RD, approximately the weight of a Tiagra RD
Much more compact size than the previous Ultegra 6770 RD! Great glossy surface finishing too.
Crash protection arm at the bottom of the RD will give way and allow the RD to be disconnected from the servo motor, in order to prevent damage to the servo.
Rear view of the RD. Compact design that is very similar in size to the Dura-Ace Di2 RD.
I will also be writing a detailed comparison of the 10 speed Ultegra Di2 6770 components vs the new 11 speed Ultegra Di2 6870 components in a separate post. Do watch out for it soon!
Other than the 11 speed RD and FD, the whole drivetrain also needs to be changed to 11 speeds. The remaining components that needs to be changed are the cassette, chain and crankset. The previous Ultegra 6770 Di2 shifters can still be used, the firmware just needs to be updated to recognise the new 11 speed components.
Dura-Ace 9000 11 speed cassette, 11-25T
Overview of the cassette components. Detailed info on this cassette available in a separate blog post here.
Titanium is used for the largest sprockets for weight savings
As for the chain, any 11 speed Shimano chain will be compatible. In fact, for this generation of 11 speed Shimano components (Dura-Ace 9000, Ultegra 6800, 105 5800, XTR M9000 and XT M8000), they can all use the same 11 speed chains. The different grades of chains mostly differ in surface treatment, but the chain compatibility is the same.
Ultegra 6800 11 speed crankset, 50/34T compact crankset. This crankset is taken from the Merida Scultura 5000 road bike!
The reason for using this Ultegra 6800 crankset is because the appearance matches nicely with the new Ultegra 6870 Di2 RD and FD.
Lightweight at only 677 grams for the crankset
The best part about upgrading a Di2 system is that not all the components need to be changed. The current Ultegra 6770 shifters can still be used, as well as all the wiring and the battery for the system. However, all these components will need to be updated with the latest firmware so that the old and new components can all communicate and work with each other.
Since the shifters and wiring will be the same, there is no need to remove or reinstall the bar tape or the cables. This means that a lot of time is saved, as I only need to do a direct swap of the 10 speed components for the 11 speed components, which is quite straightforward.
In order to update Di2 firmware and customize the system, the PC Linkage Device SM-PCE1 is required to connect the PC to the Di2 system. Previously, I borrowed the PCE1 to use when I was customizing the 10 speed Ultegra Di2 system. However, as I will be setting up and customizing 2 separate Di2 bikes, it would be more convenient if I were to get my own PCE1 device.
PC Linkage Device, SM-PCE1 for updating and customizing the Shimano E-Tube Di2 system.
It comes with all the necessary wires to connect to the Di2 system
Connect the USB cable on the left side to the PC, while the other end has 2 Di2 wires. Just link up any 2 components of the Di2 system with these 2 wires and start the E-Tube software on the PC to start the configuration.
Now, you may have noticed that I am using a compact 50/34T crankset on the Dahon Boardwalk. Usually I would not advise using a compact crankset on a small wheeled bike, such as this 20" wheel bike, as the gearing may be too low for faster riding. A standard 53/39T crankset is usually more suitable.
However, in this case, I am also changing the cassette from the original 12-27T cassette to a 11-25T cassette. This cassette combination will compensate for the lower gearing of the crankset.
Before change: 53/39T crankset with 12-27T cassette
After change: 50/34T crankset with 11-25T cassette
What this affects is the overall gear range of the bike, and how close the ratios are between the gears. As shown by the graph and table below, the overall gear range of this new setup has increased slightly, both at the top end and the bottom end of the gear range. A 50T front/11T rear actually gives a higher gear ratio than a 53T front/12T rear gear combination. Together with the additional gears by going from 2x10 to 2x11 speeds, the spacing between the gears is maintained at a comfortable difference.
Graph comparing the gear range of the old vs the new drivetrain setup
Also, from the table below, the number of unique gears (after removing overlapping gear ratios) has been increased from 13 to 15 (shown by the blue and green highlighted boxes). These additional gears will allow better cadence control as I will always be able to find and select the preferred gearing for comfortable and efficient pedaling.
Table showing the difference between the old and new drivetrain setup.
Lastly, the highest gear ratio should still enable me to maintain a good speed of around 36km/h on the Dahon Boardwalk. As shown from the cadence vs speed table below, I can reach 36km/h when I use the highest gear (50T front/11T rear) and pedal at 90 RPM which is easily achievable. Whether or not a higher gear ratio is needed will be determined after test riding.
Comparing cadence vs speed for the different gear ratios
In short, this new setup is better as I have a slightly wider gear range and more unique gears to use. As a side benefit, this compact setup is slightly more lightweight as the chainrings are smaller, the cassette is smaller and a shorter chain can be used.
Therefore, it can be feasible to use a compact crankset (50/34T) on a small wheeled bike, provided these conditions below are satisfied.
1) A small cassette (with 11T as the smallest sprocket) is used to give a sufficiently high top gear.
2) Pedaling style should be a high cadence, smooth spinner type, instead of hard mashers who push high gears at low cadence.
3) Leisurely style of riding, with a top speed of below 40km/h. Higher speeds are possible only if you increase your cadence to beyond 90 RPM.
Picture of the new components that will be going onto the Dahon Boardwalk. The cassette had already been mounted on the rear hub.
Click here to continue reading about the installation!
I really like your graph and tables.
ReplyDeleteCould you calculate 52-36 semi compact chain ring with 11-25 cassettes for us ?
The calculators are easily available online. Just search for speed vs cadence calculator, and enter the drivetrain details and wheels size into the online calculator.
DeleteHi if i were looking to upgrade my Tern Verge N8 to 11 speed and also a drop bar, would this Shimano 105 set fit?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cyclingexpress.com/en/productDia/1487911/Shimano-105-5800-Groupset.html#.VZFu9utU1FI
Thanks for your very informative blog.
Most of the components will work. To use the Shimano brakes, you will need to change to 451 wheels for the calipers to reach. Else you can use long reach Tektro R559.
DeleteYou also need to change to a wheelset with a 11 speed compatible rear hub.
There will be very little clearance between the frame and the arm of the FD.
Otherwise, most things should go on normally.
Thanks for your very promot reply. Would you recommend any alternative components if i would like to keep to a 406 wheelset?
DeleteYou can use the extra long reach Tektro R559 caliper brakes if you want to use 406 wheelset.
DeleteThanks for your advice, appreciate the effort in maintaining and providing so much information to all.
ReplyDeleteWhere did you buy your weight scale ? and how much ?
ReplyDeleteNever seen one with LCD back-lit. Nice!
I got it from the neighbourhood hardware store for about $12.
DeleteIt is possible to only change the rear mech to upgrade the system to 11 speed?
ReplyDeleteIt will not work as the system will not recognise the 11 speed rd with the other 10 speed components. If you change the rd to 11 speed, the fd also needs to be changed. You can continue using the same shifters.
DeleteAlso, you need to change to 11 speed cassette and chain.