Do I need Di2 brake lever shifters?

Brad Marcus

I am in the process of ordering a new tt bike. The bike comes standard with Di2 shifting. It comes with bar end shifters, but not brake lever shifters. Although, I'm fairly certain I know the response I will get here, I'll ask anyway since I don't want to spend more $$ if I don't need to. Should I have them add the brake lever Di2 shifters while building the bike? Cost would be an added $350+/-. My thinking is that being able to shift from the bullhorns while climbing is a big advantage, correct?

Rich Stanbaugh

Hi Brad - I have Magura brakes on my tri bike, so I only have shifters on the tt bars. It is annoying on long climbs. Honestly, it is probably a bigger annoyance while training than while racing because there are more instances of sitting up. Given the option - I would definitely have buttons on the brake lever shifters... not because I "need" them to race... just because I don't like being annoyed :-)

I know there are hacks for adding buttons to the Magura - but I've heard enough about dodgy results that it sounds like a source of additional frustration... as soon as there is something better, I will spend the money to have the buttons.

John Withrow

I would spend the extra $$ and have the shifters on the brake levers. I did the "hack" which was a lot easier with the older 10-spd Di2. To hack the 11-spd stuff, it will cost you almost as much as just getting the correct shifters to start with.

Bullhorn shifters are one of the main reasons to get Di2 on a TT bike, or at least one of the major advantages. It's great while climbing. Also very nice while training to be able to shift as you come into or out of a stop sign or stop light intersection. Safer, more control, faster, etc. etc. etc. You're dropping a ton of $$ on a new Di2 TT Bike, don't skimp on something that really does make it "better". Also makes it a little more reasonable to stay on the bullhorns for extended periods of time if pace-lining with a training group (I don't do that often on my TT bike, but makes it super nice when you do). You can also downshift or upshift before or after high speed cornering (think the last 90 degree right turn at IMMT after coming down the hill just before heading to the turnaround or T2). Or the hairpin turn-arounds in may races.

Dave Tallo

I can't see "need" and "D12" in the same sentence without twitching! This is a personal opinion, but the only things that fall under "needs" for triathletes should be:



-a higher ftp

-a higher v02 

-faster 100's. 

I would spend the $350 on whatever has a direct sightline to the above: short list would be a training weekend, a swim coach, a housecleaner to find an extra few hours a week to train / recover, a subscription to "clean eating" magazine, or whatever.



Until these are maxxed, the gear is in the "nice to have" column of the ledger.

Al Truscott

To Dave's list of practical goals towards which a triathlete's time and $$$ should be directed, I would add, "Staying healthy." Being able to descend a steep slope at speed without moving one's hands from the bullhorns IMO falls into that category. I have two bikes with Di2, and my next TT bike will probable have the SRAM wireless version. IF you are going to spend the $ to get a bike with electronic shifting (there's the right question to ask), then brake level shifters are a mandatory part of the package. Otherwise the added expense loses a significant part of its value.

Brad Marcus

Thanks for the response to this. I actually ordered the bike yesterday and I still have time to debate over my need desire to get the brake lever shifters on the bike while I wait for it to be delivered and built. At the end of the day, I went with a less expensive frame in favor of the di2 system to keep within budget. Bike manufactures certainly have better buying power on the di2 system than I would if I were to add it in the aftermarket down the road, and this was the deal breaker for me. Considering the terrain that I tend to train (and mostly race on), which is hilly and usually technical, di2 seemed like a good fit and adding the shifters to the brake levers makes sense.

As some of you have pointed out, if I am going to do down this road, I might as well do it the right way. And, as Dave has  correctly pointed out, di2 is not a "need", and I'm sorry if my question came off that way or was offensive. I was only posing the question since I was making the investment in the system and was looking to those who have the experience with this.  At the end of the day, none of the stuff that we are asking about here is a "need", but as we upgrade our bikes with everything from carbon to new gearing to wheels to hydration systems in an attempt to be faster and more efficient, it's certainly nice to be able to bounce these ideas of this group. Thank you.

Dave Tallo

Hope I wasn't too churlish in my response - I like gear as much as the next guy, though I do tend to put triathlon expenditures in terms of opportunity cost, so the 'need' piece of the equation stood out to me. Also, I acknowledge that gear vs miles (or whatever) aren't mutually exclusive: if upgrades make you enjoy riding more, and as a result you ride more miles more often, and as a further result, you are faster, than it's a win. Still, when I look at a given IM field, I see a lot of consumption that seems to be taking the place of other stuff that's more important, so I get a bit ... strident. Sorry and I hope my response doesn't discourage you from bouncing ideas off the group in the future.

Rich Stanbaugh

Dave - I thought you were pretty churlish - almost what one would expect form SlowTwitch rather than EN :-) maybe you didn't intend it that way... so I was happy to see this follow up.

Your point is well taken with respect to practical skills and strengths that need improving... but I did not interpret Brad's question as being exclusive of building FTP or VO2... rather I took it as someone who has already made a decision to buy Di2 asking about shifters on the bulls. Nothing more or less. Legitimate question for those of us who are using Di2.

John Bayone

Sorry I did not see this earlier.
Absolutely get them, if you have not already.

Good Luck with the new bike.

Pat Koss

Forgive me for resurrecting this older thread and hijacking it. I'm looking at bikes and DI2 is certainly a game changer. The new Cervelo P3 does include shifters (bar and brake) in an ultegra di2 build. But that's at $5,800 MSRP and about $2K above the same Ultegra build.

So my question to you is, what are your di2 builds on your TT bike? And the corollary is how did you manage the cost?

Brad Marcus

@Pat - Cost was a factor for me all around and in order for me to get di2, I had to be able to justify it. I crashed my non-di2 TT bike last Summer and needed a replacement bike so I was in the market. Although it may not have been the cause of my crash, I found that while riding with my hands on the bullhorns (which I do a fair amount on the terrain where I train), I needed to reach up to shift gears on the bar ends. That sometimes made me uneasy. Also, it seemed that di2 on a TT bike made most sense if I could get it for the right price. There were 2 options: 1 - buy a used bike with di2 OR 2 - find a new bike with di2 that is priced right. Coming off of a very bad bike crash left me rattled enough to only feel comfortable on a new build, but that was just me. I went out and got a pre-fit to narrow down my choices. One of the bikes that turned up on my list as a good fit was the Felt B2, which comes standard with di2 for <$4k. The B2 is the old DA frame and represented good value to me. I was able to get an even better deal from a LBS who knocked it down to $3500. However, the Felt did not include di2 shifters on the brake levers (only on the bar ends), and that is why I started this thread. I ended up buying the bike and bought the brake lever shifters for an additional $350, keeping me under $4k. Although I've only ridden it on the trainer thus far, I've been happy with it. Hoping it's even better on the road! If the Felt is a good fit for you, I think it's good bang for the buck including di2. Good luck.

Coach Rich

The Di2 brake lever shifters are a game changer for triathlon cycling, especially for hilly, technical courses or training rides with lots of shifting, standing, etc. IMO, they are more impactful on your enjoyment and efficiency of riding than Di2 shifting on a road bike. Absolutely worth the money. 

Al Truscott

I took the third option - retro-fitted my old (really old - purchased 4-2000) TT bike for about $2500. It's probably lower now. It did mean I have external cables and battery...

I agree with Rich - Di2 on my TT changed my life. I will buy a new TT bike when SRAM wireless has been proven by the beta testing purchasers and appears on my desired frame. Currently the QR PR6.