Singletrack.com just got a hold of Kristin Armstrong’s husband’s bike, fully tricked out with a Shimano Di2 / XTR mod running on his Niner Air 9 Carbon. Yes, this is the stuff dreams are made of, and it’s what happens when your wife’s Di2-equipped TT bike isn’t getting much use anymore.
Joe Savola, Armstrong’s hubby, is partners with Eric Jensen in the AceCo Sport Group, who happen to be the folks behind the K-Edge anti-chainsuck device. That partnership helps explain the incredible machining on this project, and perhaps also the reason why the ACSD isn’t quite on the market yet (kidding). They took the bike and parts to a local pro mechanic (Jason Bauer), a mechanical engineer (James Saculles) and the result is this “Ki2” system.
Jump past the break for a few more photos…
The resulting command center is refreshingly clean and simple thanks to the use of Shimano’s satellite shifters, which were originally designed for TT bikes…we’re just waiting to see a mod using the sprinter’s remote.
The rear derailleur was modified with a custom cage (machined by K-Edge with their logo in it!) that moved the pulley wheels far enough out to handle a 36T cog on the cassette.
Want one? Your in luck. The system was developed (or perhaps they thought of this afterward) as a parts kit that can be sold aftermarket, perhaps even with color options.
Check Singletrack’s post for the full photo gallery and story. Then check out Fair Wheel Bikes’ hack using Di2 on a Titus mountain bike just for fun.
