Focus Paralane: Dura-Ace Di2 Shifters R9270

The previous upgrade for the Focus Paralane was the change to a 2x11 speed drivetrain, up from the original 1x11 speed system. Reasons for the change can be found at the previous post.

Now, we are entering a new phase for this all-weather commuting road bike. With the release of the new Shimano 12 speed road groupset, it is time for me to scratch the itch and upgrade the bike again!

Due to high demand and restricted supply, I had to wait quite a bit to receive all the components for this 12 speed upgrade. As most of the components are not compatible with the previous 11 speed system, almost all the components need to be changed at the same time.

Let's take a closer look at each of the new 12 speed components before assembling them onto the bike. This time, the 12 speed Dura-Ace and Ultegra groupsets were introduced simultaneously, so riders can choose either groupset to suit their needs and budget, or even mix and match if that is what you prefer.

Starting with the 12 speed hydraulic Di2 road shifters, let's check out each of the new components. A new blog page has been created for the 12 speed Focus Paralane.

Dura-Ace ST-R9270 hydraulic Di2 road shifters! Comes pre-bled with the brake calipers for convenience.

Instead of using plastic packaging, paper packaging is used to make it more environmentally friendly. Looks like curry puff packaging to me...

Here is how the pair looks! Dura-Ace has the shiniest clear coat you will see on any bike component.

Trying a more sexy pose

Side views of the new shifters. For a comparison with the previous generation ST-R9170, check out this post.

Glossy plastic front cover, which looks like a fingerprint magnet to me. I actually prefer the matte front cover on the Ultegra shifters.

Another view showing the glossiness of the front cover and brake lever. 

On the Canyon Endurace, when I assembled the 11 speed Dura-Ace shifters and brake calipers, I bought the shifters and brake calipers separately, so they were not pre-bled from the factory. That required quite a bit more work as I had to bleed the brake system after connecting them together.

This time, to save some work, I chose the J-Kit version, which means that the shifter and brake caliper comes as a set, with hydraulic fluid already inside the shifter, hose and brake caliper. All I need to do is to connect them up and they will work. Even if I trim the hose length, there is no need to rebleed the system.

Hydraulic oil is already inside the shifters, sealed by this yellow plug.

To prevent accidental activation of the brake lever, causing leakage from the hydraulic port, a white stopper is installed to block the brake lever.

Once the stopper is removed, the brake lever can be operated. This stopper should only be removed after the hose and brake caliper are connected to the shifters properly.

Dura-Ace ST-R9270 shifter weighs 185 grams per side, including oil, yellow plug and flanged connecting bolt.

I was not able to get the Dura-Ace shifters' "dry weight", as it is already pre-bled. Without the oil, yellow plug and flanged connecting bolt, the shifters probably weigh about 175 grams per side, giving a dry weight of about 350 grams per pair.

Compared to the Ultegra shifters' weight of 384 grams per pair (dry weight), the Dura-Ace version weighs just 30+ grams lesser. Some of it is from the titanium clamp band, and some from the carbon brake levers. Other than that, the other parts probably weigh the same.

The Dura-Ace shifters are a lot more expensive than the Ultegra shifters, so if you are not concerned about a little bit of weight difference, the Ultegra shifters make a lot more sense.

There are many more new components to introduce, stay tuned for the upcoming posts!