Sure, there have been plenty of mountain bikes and fat bikes that have been set up with Di2, taking advantage of K-Edge’s derailleur cage modification. So what’s interesting about this BearGrease that was spotted along the halls of QBP?
Well, the nicely machined handlebar clamp suggests it may be a new version of the K-Edge Ki2 shifter. This would not only be the first Ki2 shifter we’ve seen that doesn’t have a tab on the top to mount to a brake lever, but also the first for the Ultegra Di2 drivetrain. The bracket instead has a bar clamp that is attached to the side of the shifter with a bolt, meaning it looks like there would be a decent amount of adjustment to the shift pod allowing you to position it for better ergonomics.
More after the jump…
Yes, that is an Ultegra Di2 rear derailleur with a Ki2 derailleur cage. We’re not sure if it is the same cage as the Dura-Ace model, but clearly it works.
This particular BearGrease was running a 1×10 set up with the back plate to a chain guide, but without an actual chain guide. When we weighed this bike it came in at right around 27 pounds, so perhaps the chain guide-less set up is an attempt to save weight. No words on the rather interesting battery/wire set up, though without a front derailleur there is no need to bring the wires down to the bottom bracket. This set up may allow for use of the shortest wiring loom possible.
Another look at the shifter shows the new clamp along with the mounting bolt to the side of the shifter. Since the original K-Edge Ki2 shifter was designed to integrate into Shimano levers (though we’ve seen it on Formulas as well), this new clamp would obviously open it up to whatever brakes you wanted to run.
K-Edge first mentioned they would be working on an Ultegra Ki2 kit way back in 2011, while it may be a little behind schedule, it looks like Ultegra Ki2 might be just around the corner.
