If you give something to most cyclists, inevitably they will find a new way to use it. Shimano already offers a fairly versatile shifting set up with their Di2 electronic drivetrains. Thanks to the extra ports on the shifter, you can run the climber’s switch which is a dual button shift pod to be mounted at the bar top, or the sprint switch which are two small shift buttons to be located in the drops. Both auxiliary shifters operate the rear derailleur making it possible to shift up and down the cassette without moving your hands. But what to do if you don’t like the form of the climber’s switch up at the bar?
Inspired by the mechanics of the Etixx-Quickstep at the 2015 Paris-Roubaix, AMain figured out a way to make a dual (quad?) sprint switch set up that allow you to shift both at the drop and at the tops, all with the minimal form factor of the smaller buttons…
Other than voiding the warranty on a pair of sprinter’s switches, the hack looks fairly easy. With the right wire, you could put them anywhere!
From AMain:
WARNING: This hack does involve some basic wire splicing and it is possible to damage the wires if not done carefully. This is not a Shimano approved procedure and may void warranties.
Materials and tools needed:
-A bicycle equipped with Shimano Di2
-2 sets of Shimano SW-R610 “sprint switches.” If you already have a set installed, you’ll only need to get one set, not 2.
-roughly 25 inches of electrical wire
-replacement bar tape to wrap the handlebars when you are done
-a hole punch to create openings in the bar tape for access to the sprint shifters
-electrical tape for finishing off the bar tape, holding wires and cables in place and to cover the exposed ends of the wire
-scissors to cut the electrician’s tape
-solder (optional). These wires should not get much strain on them, but if soldering them makes you feel more comfortable with the hack, fee free to do so.
-angled pliers or dikes for cutting the wire
-wire strippers (optional). We found our wire strippers to be too aggressive and actually cut the wire instead of stripping it. We used our finger nails.
-box cutter or knife for stripping back the insulation from the wires
Thanks to Ryan for sending this in!
