Tech Di2`s hidden button on hoods - controls bike computers

[danny]

You guys see this? I had no idea there was a hidden button on the Di2 levers that can control. I checked mine and sure enough they are there.

"Shimano has confirmed that its Dura-Ace Di2 shift levers are now able to act as remote controls for external devices such as bike computers...As of Dec. 3, Garmin, Magellan and PRO computers are compatible."

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/...-di2-levers-now-control-bike-computers-43129/

Danny

 

[TCC]

Have you got a D-Fly unit on your bike?

Sort of related; I have the sprint switches with my Di2 set-up. Excellent addition. I use them when sprinting, but main when storming around in the drops. Not having to twist my wrist round and my finger out to shift is well good. Anyone who has Di2 and doesn't have sprint switches; get them, they are ace.

 

[saibot]

I always been clicking these buttons when cursing around on the hoods just because you could, dreaming that would have a real function. You could use them with shimanos flight deck computers before. Flipping through the garmin pages will be awesome, I absolutely detest the touch screen on my 510.

To bad you need that ant+ thing to make it work though. I'm waiting until they release an updated version of the levers with built in ant+, if they integrated the junction box into the levers I won't complain either.

 

[TCC]

Seems weird that they don't have a function yet. Would be good for shifting up and down the cassette, just like the sprint switches. Obviously some long term marketing ploy by shimano b2b not having finished the product, but would have been cool to use them as standard shifters from the beginning.

I made a point of having a play with them today and did find the position a bit odd. Kind of too far out of the way to be fast. Suppose that makes sense if they are to be used for stuff like flicking screens on a garmin as you don't want to be accidentally doing that all the time.

 

[joewein]

Those buttons are a great idea. The demand exists. For the o_synce navi2coach GPS that I use there's an external Ant+ unit that provides buttons to operate the GPS device, which can be installed on the handlebars or on tri-bars.

Having the functionality integrated into the hoods makes perfect sense. Now if only one didn't have to take one's eyes off the road to look at the GPS!