Looks like the sun may finally come out and make an appearance this Spring. Hopefully that means yard work gets put on hold and we start to hit the roads. We're seeing lots of new product roll into the store from our usual favorite suspects: Serotta, Rocky Mountain, Scott, Felt and Bianchi. One of the newest innovations to be available to us is the new electronic Dura Ace from Shimano. I'll go ahead and predict that this is the future of what we'll see on road bikes in the next 5-10 years. Ultegra electronic may be the very next permutation after the coming generation of mechanical. That means that for some of you, you're next road bicycle will be electronic shifting. I'll be building up my Serotta with Di2 in the next month or so. We've had a chance to play with it and ride it and we think it's cool. The following press release from Pinarello is interesting and informative about some of the features of Di2. Check it out:
Pinarello Prince Di2
The Prince Electric
In stock now! Limited quantities available.
Pinarello announces the introduction of the Prince Di2 showcasing the new Shimano Dura Ace Di2 electronic gruppo. Shimano has actually made available several versions of this gruppo; including the one Pinarello has chosen for the Prince Di2 which features internal routing of the actuation cables for the electronic componentry.
This Prince was designed by Pinarello's engineers in conjunction with Shimano to eliminate unsightly wiring and the accompanying fasteners. The cables from the levers follow the brake cables under the MOst Talon bar and enter the downtube a short distance from the headtube. This area has been reinforced and features a sealed cover to keep the elements out of the frame. The battery is located below the water bottle cage on the downtube and is attached at an additional boss below the cage and the lower bottle boss. The actuation cables enter and exit the battery pack through another sealed port in the frame and emerge near both the front and rear derailleurs. This creates a very clean line for the cables while keeping the weight of the battery pack as low as possible without the risk of interference with the drivetrain. Everywhere the wiring enters or exits the frame is sealed against the elements and reinforced internally for additional strength.
The geometry and ride characteristics of the Prince Di2 are identical to the Prince FP framesets designed for traditional componentry. The Shimano Dura Ace Di2 electronic gruppo has been thoroughly tested by Pinarello over the last few months and determined to be of outstanding quality and reliability. Once you have ridden this gruppo, you will be amazed at how quickly it shifts and how much effort it really takes to shift a mechanical system. Shimano has designed the system to be able to compensate for maladjustments with an on-board calibration system. The control box, which is conveniently located, but out of the way, under the handlebars on the brake cable shows battery life left as well as the means to recalibrate the system should the need arise. The range of the system is easily 1000+ miles between charges and, in the unlikely event of the battery running low; you will get plenty of warning (and shifts) as the front derailleur will quit shifting approximately 50 shifts before the rear derailleur. This should easily be enough to conclude nearly any ride without being stuck in the wrong gear. In the event of a crash, the wiring is protected inside the frame to avoid damage.
Pinarello is among the very first manufacturers to take advantage of this OEM Di2 system, which offers the cleanest and safest way to offer this first of the next generation of componentry.
MSRP: $15,900.00
I expect to sell gobs of these so get your deposit in early. Until then, hope fun sunshine.
