At Interbike, a couple of our eagle-eyed writers noticed BMC’s 2013 TM01 TT/triathlon bike was equipped with Dura-Ace Di2 9070 11-speed group and an as-yet-unseen full suite of button pods up front. Thing is, the brake lever shifter pods aren’t easily found on Shimano’s website yet, nor are they available anywhere online.
Here’s what’s going on: Shimano’s Di2 parts that don’t need to be spec-level specific will come without Dura-Ace, Ultegra or other branding, just a model number. That includes the TT/triathlon shifter pods moving forward, and likely the junction boxes and all wiring and batteries, too. So what you’re seeing on the this BMC is a mock build using existing Di2 TT shifters mated to the new drivetrain just for the show. Delivery isn’t expected until late this year, which is why BMC’s TM01 and any other tri bike planning on spec’ing Di2 will be held until then.
UPDATE: The BMC photos here, including the ones we took of just the levers, are mockups so they could get their catalog together. Actual new Di2 TT shifters/brake pods may look a bit different…we’re hoping a little sleeker.
The difference is Shimano’s move to the single-wire E-Tube format for the new Dura-Ace. Introduced with Ultegra Di2, it simplifies installation and reduces the number of wires needed. The new shifters will work only with E-Tube.
These were on BMC’s display bike, but the new versions won’t get Dura-Ace branding and will work with any Di2 system, 10- or 11-speed.
What’s coming:
- SW9071 – Single-button aero bar end shifters for TT bikes with a single front ring
- SWR671 – Dual-button aero bar end shifters for TT/triathlon bikes with double chainrings
- ST9071 – Brake levers with button shifters
Some of the aerobar button pods are available now, and you can also incorporate the climber and sprinter remote button pods into your setup if you want.
Above, the Dura-Ace Di2 TM01, and the Ultegra Di2 version below…which shows some unmarked Di2 brake levers with the buttons, probably more in line with what we should see on showroom floors this winter.