{"id":39303,"date":"2022-07-11T18:00:01","date_gmt":"2022-07-11T16:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=688117"},"modified":"2022-07-11T18:40:11","modified_gmt":"2022-07-11T16:40:11","slug":"shimano-finally-launches-new-di2-mtb-groupset-but-its-only-for-ebikes","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/shimano-finally-launches-new-di2-mtb-groupset-but-its-only-for-ebikes\/","title":{"rendered":"Shimano finally launches new Di2 MTB groupset (but it\u2019s only for ebikes)"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Alex Evans\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 11 July 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Shimano\u2019s all-new XT M8150 Di2 electronic mountain bike drivetrain re-injects life into the brand\u2019s Di2 MTB groupset offerings, which haven\u2019t been updated since XTR M9050\u2019s launch in 2014<\/a> and the subsequent XT M8050 Di2 release<\/a>.<\/p>\n

11-speed XT Di2 LinkGlide M8150 and 12-speed Deore XT Di2 HyperGlide+ M8150 are focused squarely on electric mountain bikes.<\/a> Both sit alongside the current Shimano Deore XT<\/a> line-up, but neither is compatible with non-assisted bikes.<\/p>\n

Shimano CUES<\/a> \u2013 a groupset aimed at commuter bikes<\/a>, city, cargo and touring bikes<\/a>, and featuring Shimano\u2019s ABS anti-lock braking system \u2013 is also launching today.<\/p>\n

The launch follows the release of the brand\u2019s mid-tier 105 Di2 groupset<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Three things you need to know about Shimano\u2019s Di2 XT M8150 drivetrains<\/h4>\n
  1. XT Di2 LinkGlide (11-speed) and HyperGlide+ (12-speed) drivetrains are all-new and compatible only with EP6 and EP801 ebike motors<\/li>\n
  2. The new drivetrains feature Free Shift and Auto Shift technologies, where the bike can change gear while coasting and automatically select gears for you<\/li>\n
  3. The Di2 systems draw power from the ebike\u2019s main battery, relying on a wired connection<\/li>\n<\/ol>

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    \"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
    This is the first time Shimano has updated its electronic mountain bike groupsets since 2014.<\/span><\/figcaption> Shimano<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

    The ebike-specific 11-speed XT LinkGlide M8150 drivetrain is an addition to Shimano\u2019s existing LinkGlide M8130<\/a> \u2013 the brand\u2019s first ebike-specific drivetrain.<\/p>\n

    Cable-operated XT LinkGlide was launched quietly in 2021, but the introduction of electronic shifting to the sturdy-looking groupset is getting much more fanfare.<\/p>\n

    The bigger news, however, is the announcement of the Deore XT Di2 HyperGlide+ 12-speed drivetrain, which finally upgrades Di2 to 12-speed.<\/p>\n

    Both new groupsets sit under the M8150 banner.<\/p>\n

    Like the outdoing XTR M9050 and M8050 Di2 groupsets, the new M8150 family drivetrains still use cables for power and data transfer, unlike SRAM\u2019s AXS wireless electronic drivetrains<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    The latest Di2 kit is only compatible with Shimano\u2019s EP6 and EP801 ebike motors<\/a>, also being launched today. These new motors supersede the DU-EP800 motor<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Making compatibility exclusive to the Shimano EP drive units goes some way to explaining why Shimano hasn\u2019t moved to a wireless system.<\/p>\n

    Automatic and pedal-free shifting<\/h2>\n
    \"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
    The new groupset introduces two new technologies to Shimano\u2019s electronic mountain bike drivetrains.<\/span><\/figcaption> Shimano<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

    Wiring the new Di2 XT components into the EP motors creates seamless compatibility with the new Free Shift and Auto Shift technologies.<\/p>\n

    Free Shift enables riders to change gears without pedalling.<\/p>\n

    With the mode engaged, when the shift buttons are pressed and the rider isn\u2019t pedalling, the motor \u201cadvances the drivetrain at the chainring\u201d so gears can change. According to Shimano, this makes changing gears in corners and technical terrain, and \u201cbombing into large dips\u201d possible.<\/p>\n

    Auto Shift changes your bike\u2019s gears for you, always \u201cfinding the optimal gear for every pedal stroke\u201d and can even \u201cmake predictive gear changes based on your speed and cadence\u201d. It has a manual override function, however.<\/p>\n

    There is no pricing available for the two new groupsets. It is also unclear whether the groupsets will be available aftermarket, or whether they will be solely OEM products. We have asked Shimano for confirmation.<\/p>\n

    Shimano Deore XT Di2 LinkGlide<\/h2>\n
    \"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
    The groupset is available in 11-speed or 12-speed flavours.<\/span><\/figcaption> Shimano<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

    Although XT Di2 LinkGlide\u2019s focus is on durability, Shimano claims it brings the brand\u2019s newest and most exciting tech to the hard-wearing drivetrain.<\/p>\n

    Like its mechanical counterpart, LinkGlide Di2 is 11-speed.<\/p>\n

    The 11-speed drivetrain is claimed to be more durable than a 12-speed alternative, with a redesigned tooth shape and shift gates, along with a bigger chain and cassette sprocket widths increasing lifespan.<\/p>\n

    A new CS-LG700 cassette features, replacing the CS-LG600. The new 11-50t cassette is claimed to be 200g lighter than the outgoing model\u2019s 780g weight. The cassette uses Shimano\u2019s long-standing HG freehub standard<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Available shifting modes include full manual shifting, full manual shifting with Free Shift, and automatic shifting in the Auto Shift With Manual Override mode.<\/p>\n