Julie Bressets mechanics mountain bike with Dura-Ace Di2 electronic shifting using TT bar end shifter pods

We’ve seen more than a couple Di2 hacks on mountain bikes (here and here, for example), most using K-Edge’s Ki2 adapter kit. What we haven’t seen is a straight up Dura-Ace Di2 installation or the use of Shimano’s TT bar end button pods to get things dirty.

On display in SR Suntour’s booth was sponsored rider (and 2012 XC Olympic gold medalist!) Julie Bresset’s team mechanic’s bike that had at once both the cleanest and dirtiest conversion we’ve seen yet. While K-Edges button pods are smaller, it’s hard to argue with the aesthetics of using Shimano’s own TT pods with a custom carbon fiber mount. The only downside (besides the cost of replacing them if they snap off in a wreck) is that the up and down buttons are in pretty close proximity for the rough ‘n’ tumble arena of mountain biking, potentially making mis-shifts more likely…

Julie Bressets mechanics mountain bike with Dura-Ace Di2 electronic shifting using TT bar end shifter pods

Julie Bressets mechanics mountain bike with Dura-Ace Di2 electronic shifting using TT bar end shifter pods

Julie Bressets mechanics mountain bike with Dura-Ace Di2 electronic shifting using TT bar end shifter pods

Takes a lickin’ and keeps on shiftin’.

Julie Bressets mechanics mountain bike with Dura-Ace Di2 electronic shifting using TT bar end shifter pods

Here’s where things get a bit dirty. The custom molded junction box keeps things in place…

Julie Bressets mechanics mountain bike with Dura-Ace Di2 electronic shifting using TT bar end shifter pods

…and cable wrap holds the wires alongside the rear brake hose.

Tyler Benedict is the Founder of Bikerumor.com. He has been writing about the latest bikes, components, and cycling technology for 14 years. Prior to that, Tyler launched and built multiple sports nutrition brands and consumer goods companies, mostly as an excuse to travel to killer riding locations throughout North America.

Based in North Carolina, Tyler loves finding new travel adventures to share with his family and is always on the lookout for the next shiny new part to make his bikes faster and lighter. And, he’s totally gone down the NFT rabbit hole.

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will
will
9 years ago

here’s another. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxXeBFjK-Qo&feature=plcp

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MaLóL
MaLóL
9 years ago

Weird… why not using the Di2 shifters designed for flat handlebars that the Schleck brothers have been using for so long already????

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greg
greg
9 years ago

i did this in the fall of 2009 on my epic mtb. mounted two sram x.o. shifter pod clamps back-to-back, clamping the round insert part of the tt shifter with the second one. between the clamps was a square block of plastic to index the two clamps together. ..

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eliflap
eliflap
9 years ago

here mine … not yet istalled … i have no same moeny reserve as a professional team …
http://eliflap.wordpress.com/2012/09/03/custom-di2-mtb-2/

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Dan
Dan
9 years ago

Call me a hater, but even motorcycles require more rider input to shift. If fat-asses riding around on Harleys can manage to work a clutch, why is it that mountain bikers want little buttons to shift instead of mechanical levers. A tuned mech drivetrain performs amazingly well if you have the slightest clue what you’re doing. I’ve ridden Di2, and it’s nice, but completely superfluous and being pushed by the industry more than asked for by the consumers. Why not just add some bluetooth compatibility so riders can use an iPhone app to shift with voice recognition. Better yet, they just need to figure out how to cram a little motor into the bottom bracket and add a throttle button to that bar-setup. Then it won’t even be necessary to pedal.

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Dr.Unk
Dr.Unk
9 years ago

Dan, you’re a hater.

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greg
greg
9 years ago

aug 2009:

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