Shimano Wireless Dura-Ace and R9200p Speculation

Despite saying that I have a Shimano Dura-Ace R9100 setup on one of my bikes, it’s not wholly true as the Dura-Ace bits and pieces are mixed and matched between the latest Dura-Ace R9100 tech and other bits of slightly lower-specified Ultegra kit. Nevertheless, I love it all and I’m just about to whack another R9100 crankset onto one of my other bikes and/or buy another Cervelo frame. That’s another story for another day and the thought of it got me thinking.

What will Shimano introduce on Dura-Ace in 202021 ?

This article is a bit of speculation on that exact topic. Yet an even more interesting and related topic might be to speculate what Dura-Ace bits will be rolled down to Ultegra and further down to 105 as 2020 progresses. For example, Di2 is currently on the Ultegra R8050/R8070 but will it make its way further down to 105 componentry (R7050/R7070)? Anyway, back to the top-end Dura-Ace stuff.

Edit: Nov 2020 – it looks like Shimano has filed LOTS of obscuring & conflicting patents to hide the exact details of how they will be releasing wireless Di2 capable of 12spd. Front shifters may need a coin cell battery each! and the two derailleurs may or may not share a battery. It’s coming…..

Edit: Jan 2021 – Shimano will release something big, likely in July 2021. Though we might not be able to buy much of it until 2022

The Past Chronology

You can spot patterns behind the product releases here on the Wikipedia link for Shimano’s Road Groupsets.

The most obvious pattern is the annual rolldown of a new feature from Dura-Ace to Ultegra and then a further rolldown to 105 the next year. But the gap between the first, major iteration of a new Dura-Ace model and the next is not quite so predictable.

Yet, clearly, we’re due a notable upgrade to Dura-Ace either in 2020 or 2021, just to keep up with the competition 😉

Name

The 2020 incarnation will enumerate as the Dura-Ace R9200 series (ie Road 92xx)

Likely Nomenclature

• R9200: 12 speed
• R9220: 12 speed, w/ disc brakes
• R9250: 12 speed Di2
• R9270: 12 speed Di2, w/ disc brakes

Target Market

The intended customers will be wannabe racers…and real racers too, of course.

But it’s not about top speed. You might be surprised to know that it was the pro riders who wanted the super-spinny gear combos. My granny does too with her granny cog and three up front, but she doesn’t need to spin up the Alpe d’Huez (ever). Some of the pro’s clearly do need to do that.

Primarily the tech will be delivered bundled on new bikes, although it will be available in the aftermarket too.

I don’t think there will be any product gimmicks in Dua-Ace. Just serious kit for serious people.

Gears

I think the headline addition here will be a move to 2×12 speed following similar moves from SRAM and Campagnolo , it’s plausible 13spd might make an appearance via the micro spline. Note well that Shimano already have an existing 12-speed MTB offering from 2018 (M9100) and, if memory servies me correctly, they have patents on designs to cover 13-speed and 14-speed.

This is a non-trivial launch and requires new chains, cassettes, shifters…the lot, some wheel hubs/geometries may need to change in order to accommodate any widening of the cassette. Bike manufacturers too will have already considered new, modified frame geometries and perhaps new ways to attach any new types of component eg Wireless units.

Front rings will remain as they currently are, ranging from spinny to speedy as 34-50 t, 36-52 t, 39-53 t, 42-54 t, 42-55 t. FYI: Campag varies from 34 to 53 and SRAM from 33 to 52.

Dura-Ace Rear Cassette sprockets will increase to cover 32T, with the current Dura-Ace cassettes being: 11-25T, 11-28T, 11-30T, 12-25T and 12-28T. R9100 currently supports 32T with a longer derailleur hanger, although you have to use an Ultegra 32T Cassette. I’d have to do some maths on the gear combos but I don’t think a 10t ring is needed at the rear when the 55t option already exists with Shimano at the front. FYI: Campag varies from 11 to 32t. 

Di2

Support for 12 speed, maybe 13.

‘Just’ supporting Di2 might sounds easy but, for one, it requires some significant changes to the E-Tube app on 2 iOS/Android (Edit: app has already significantly changed in 2020)

Semi-wireless setup with one battery powering 2 deraileurs. Individual coin cells in each shifter type (including sprint shifters and bar-end shifters)

Aftermarket Di2 components and accessories are expensive and probably a nice little earner for retailers everywhere. I can’t see a move happening to either a fully-wireless setup, especially when the current Di2 cabling works well enough as it is. To my mind, wireless is not that much of a compelling offering over and above the benefits of wired Di2 as it introduces other minor potential annoyances. However, I concede that further down the line, some form of wireless is inevitable.

Edit: Leaks in October 2020 suggest semi-wireless Di2 is in an advanced state.

Edit: FCC registration suggest a launch date of wireless Di2, presumably  Dura-Ace, for 26 July 2021

Shimano Di2 : Fingers On. Di2 Review

R9200 Cranks

We will see an R9200P Power Meter to represent Shimano taking the existing R9100P to greater and more accurate levels, although that would most likely be in 2021. I’m envisaging a TOTALLY re-designed, dual-sided PM product as an option to the standard R9200 cranks which themselves will be re-designed possibly having 5 gear arms and a new iteration of Hollowtech construction.

The other line of thinking is that Shimano will bring out power meter pedals due to issues with the LR balance of the existing R9100p, they have filed patents for that already but I think this is further down the road.