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Reader’s Rides: The XTR Di2 Hacks Have Begun With Julian Da Silva’s Jamis

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Readers-Ride-1

XTR Di2 is just starting to hit shops, and with it, we have the beginning of riders modifying their rides for internal electronic capability. Julian Da Silva from Alex Bicycles in Coral Springs, FL took to putting a few holes in his Jamis Dakota D29 Team.

Julian told us “I wanted to show you guys one of my recent builds since you guys like to see them. This is a 2015 Jamis Dakota D29 Team but modified the frame for internal routing of the Shimano XTR M9050 Di2 system. As usual I try to keep everything clean and hidden, it was challenge with the rear chain stay routing the cable thru it, but managed to succeed. Possibly one of my favorite bikes I’ve built, fast, fun and quite comfortable.”

Check out the before and after pics after the jump…

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The beauty of the M9050 group is the brain and display screen are all one, and it uses E-Tube, so the entire system is simple with just a single wire.

Readers-Ride-2 Readers-Ride-3

Before and after photos of the install in the downtube. Using the rubber grommets, and carefully drilling the hole to avoid wrecking the carbon or paint, the finished product almost looks factory.

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Note: Bike Rumor, as well as bike manufacturers will not condone drilling holes in your frame. This can be very dangerous and lead to frame failure, as well as void your warranty. Just because you can, doesn’t mean that you should.

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48 Comments
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dockboy
dockboy
9 years ago

Interesting that he didn’t remove the cable guides – after taking a drill to the downtube, it isn’t as though it’d be daunting to bust a couple rivets. Cool setup, though.

Frippolini
Frippolini
9 years ago

Looks nice, but still leaves me with the impression that wireless is the true future of electronic shifting. Can easily imagine a wire getting caught by something and oops… you have lost your shifting + need to replace the cable once you are home.

tom
tom
9 years ago

I would have sooner used the existing rivet holes from the cable guides to make an entry port, then try to find a way around the seat post down the seat stay. That chain stay wire run looks like it is waiting to be torn off on a tree or something.

James S
James S
9 years ago

Frippolini – I had a wireless bike computer and that sucker ate batteries like the Cookie Monster eats cookies. Wireless means more dead batteries, which is much more likely to happen than snagging a wire.

edge
edge
9 years ago

@dockboy. Drilling out the rivets may not be so simple. If you drill out the rivets would the back drop in a closed portion of the frame? (i.e. rattle forever). Agree that the rear exit looks perilous

groghunter
groghunter
9 years ago

came hoping for actual modification of function rather than cable routing that could be done with any drivetrain, left disappointed.

Drunkatwork
Drunkatwork
9 years ago

Kinda weak that a 2015 carbon hardtail frame wouldn’t already have internal routing, but then again, it is a Jamis. Digging the wheels though!

wingo
wingo
9 years ago

What wheels are those? They look pretty nice.

Matt
Matt
9 years ago

I can’t get past putting Di2 on a Jamis. Internal or otherwise. Like spinners on a Civic…

kevinblayn
kevinblayn
9 years ago

@groghunter Agreed, what with the term “hack” and all. Still kinda neato.

What spokes are those?!

D29er
D29er
1 year ago
Reply to  kevinblayn

They’re Marwi Ti-Dye titanium spokes. Save a bunch of weight. Super strong.

Chader
Chader
9 years ago

Agreed Matt, poor BR title choice.

Di2 Hack implies tweaking programming, buttons, etc.

This is a frame hack, very little to do with Di2 other than the wire.

Sully
Sully
9 years ago

This is definitely a clean set-up. I know Calfee still does Di2 retrofits and will remove the external derailleur cable guides, reinforce holes, plus restore paint, if necessary.

SB
SB
9 years ago

Neat enough, but I’m not sure I see the specialness here. So homey drilled some holes in his frame? Not a new thing.

JM
JM
9 years ago

Bike looks Great!!!

Ilikeicedtea
Ilikeicedtea
9 years ago

@Matt

Jamis’ carbon hardtail is worse than some other brand’s carbon hardtail, because?

General Patton
General Patton
9 years ago

Where did the rubber grommets come from?

timmy
timmy
9 years ago

General Patton – Those are standard Di2 grommets, Shimano make/supply them for use in Di2 specific frames.

BubbRubb
BubbRubb
9 years ago

Part of the issue with removing pre-existing brazeons with carbon is that it often leaves really unattractive gaps in the finish. Then your only solution is filling the gaps, sanding the filler, then repainting. A lot more work than drilling a few holes.

Devin
Devin
9 years ago

I got to demo a Jamis D29 team and that bike rips!! I think this bike would be even better. NICE BUILD.

Dockboy
Dockboy
9 years ago

It may be more work to clean up the frame after pulling those bits, but it’s not as though cost was a real consideration on this bike, what with the DI2 and RS1, etc… If you tried running it in the top tube, I bet there’s no choice but to jump outside then go back into the seat stay. I’d hesitate to drill that last hole more than any others. There was probably room around the bb to keep the cable internal.

sim1kinu
sim1kinu
9 years ago

I tried the electric bike he built a while ago (featured previously on BR) and it shifted faster and smoother than any regular shifter. I think what he did with the frame was something that most people would never even try. It was done well and looks really clean. I can’t wait to try this new system out! Also I have tried that Jamis and it rides better than any bike I’ve ever ridden, and this is coming from a full suspension. The Jamis is more comfortable, handles incredibly smooth and is precise and responsive.

Kyle
9 years ago

This bike makes me want to ride my cyclocross bike, and look at pictures of bikes made of metal.

Rico
Rico
9 years ago

Funky spokes! Go ahead and drill it, it’s fine.

gringo
gringo
9 years ago

Drilling aside, I find it strange that this guy chooses to store his spacer collection under his stem.

That’s WEIRD!

DJ
DJ
9 years ago

Cool wheels

mudrock
9 years ago

Nothing wrong with leaving the cable guides. This is a guy who’s going to be on another frame this time next year, and taking off the guides would kill the resale value.

I also don’t understand people who think all stems have to be slammed.

Sardinien
Sardinien
9 years ago

These “poor bike choice” comments sure are a lot poorer than supposedly the bike itself is. Picture some Specialized or Trek slapped on there and carry on folks….
A job well done,looks OEM to me.

Mike
Mike
9 years ago

There’s a reason the factory cables were not internal…

edge
edge
9 years ago

“I see brand snobs…and the problem is they don’t even know they are brand snobs.

Veganpotter
Veganpotter
9 years ago

Mudrock…stems don’t have to be slammed but a steer tube is stronger if its not slammed. You’re better off cutting it “pretty short” and having a stem with an upward angle. I don’t know how an avid rider can ride like this. You can definitely feel the added flex in the head tube area with a stack of spacers. Maybe it would be best to just have a taller head tube. I guess its not as noticeable on a mountain bike where your low pressure tires are mushing around in the corners too but it still makes sense.

Tom
Tom
9 years ago

What garmin mount is that? Can’t see any attachment.

Ck
Ck
9 years ago

@Tom it’s likely the Barfly MTB mount.

CXisfun
CXisfun
9 years ago

Mudrock “Nothing wrong with leaving the cable guides. This is a guy who’s going to be on another frame this time next year, and taking off the guides would kill the resale value.”

Are you kidding? Resale value? He just drilled holes into his carbon frame, I don’t think resale value is much of a concern any more.

gringo
gringo
9 years ago

@Mudrock.
I think anyone worried about resale should simply refrain from DRILLING HOLES in their frame….cable guides or not, I would guess those little holes he made should take at least a grand off the resale value vs. an un-drilled one in similar condition. I hope it was worth it.

mechanic
mechanic
9 years ago

Modification/Personalization on a bike is rad regardless of what it is. That is what is missing in the bike industry by-and-large. Sure Special Ed will come out with a Swerks bike that has everything on the market tied up in a package that anyone can buy- but that is boring. This guy’s wheels illustrate that has has passion. I dig it.

billy
billy
9 years ago

Really cool. I cannot wait to play with XTR Di2.

I really do not think a whopping 15mm of spacers on the steerer is anything to complain about. Also people claiming they can feel the steerer tube on a tapered steerer on a stiff carbon chassis are full of it.

All in all a really sweet ride. I love Jamis 29er they ride great!

codyish
codyish
9 years ago

So many haters. What’s wrong with Jamis? If you’re such a good rider that you’d be limited by this bike then you should be getting your bikes for free, and wearing rainbow stripes. And you know what is worse than a few spacers under a stem? Riding a bike that doesn’t fit right because you like how pro a slammed stem looks.I’m pretty sure that’s the mindset that gets you automatically inducted into club douche. His grips are still even with or a little below his seat. You can feel the flex in the front end of a frame with a tapered headtube and an RS-1? Sure…

Sean P
Sean P
9 years ago

Luckily my MTN bike was made in a special top secret one off factory in Taiwan where they only use a “special” carbon fiber……love the Jamis haters. My entire bike flexes like crazy when I’m riding my tires at 32PSI. Ride what you like, Ride what fits you.

Eric.nm
Eric.nm
9 years ago

@codyish for the Win! : )

SNIPE-HUNTER
9 years ago

OK, I’m not seeing any “hacks” here. Am I missing something?

Derron Tanner
Derron Tanner
9 years ago

@SNIPE-HUNTER, you mean besides the “hacked-up” frame?

Puma Slayer
Puma Slayer
9 years ago

I follow Julian on Strava and have not seen any new KOM’s since he went Roboshift.
Must be all hype!!

andrew
andrew
9 years ago

I just love how he is running a sram xx1 crank on the hacked Shimano xtr

oldmanridley
oldmanridley
9 years ago

Fat Tuesday wheel spokes! Ride the bike in the Mardi Gras parade!

john voss
john voss
9 years ago

Julian is running atomikcarbon wheels. Florida designed by a superclyde, taiwan built, thicker rim edges than other designs. I run them too. His shop carries scott pinarello, bmc and felt as well as jamis, so he certainly had options.

jv
Miami FL

saddlesniffer
saddlesniffer
9 years ago

WHOA!!! why is that fork upside down?!

Zen
Zen
6 years ago

Too funny. I have a Jamis Dakota 2015 that I bought used and was researching upgrading it to XT Di2. Lo and behold, it’s this bike. I don’t mean same model, it’s the same exact bike, wheels, bar, post. But, it has a 60mm Lauf instead of the RS fork.

Despite the drilled holes, the bike has behaved flawlessly for 2 solid seasons of XC and as a pit bike in cross. Anyway, good to know it was possible to route the e-tubes through there since I’ll be trying to replicate that. Not sure why all the hate on Jamis, but whatever floats your boat.

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