Hello fellow tech geeks, I have a question regarding the new XTR Di2 and a 1x road setup.
I have a 2019 Specialized Venge that I have been working on for a few years now, slowly turning it into a criterium bike / not so hilly road race bike. Currently it is set up with 56t 1x chainring with Duraace 9100 RD and 11-30 cassette.
Looking into the new XTR medium cage RD with its ‘clutch’ system, it sounds really good. I understand that I will need to get a new freehub for the XTR 9-46 cassette as it is microspline, but I was wondering if it would be possible to get this setup functional?
Thank you in advance for your help, any and all help is greatly appreciated. Kind regards,
Oh cool, I had been considering it as well but was unsure on limitations with the sizings of the chainring and the cogs. I know Shimano have a limit on the differences in teeth between the two, but I think it’s more of a guide than anything.
Yes it does. I’m using the Industry9 Solix RD hubs on these wheels which they appear to have a microspline freehub available on their website for this model.
Did something similar for my all road bike; will work excellent. The new mtn/gravel stuff is so clean to set up compared to old Di2. Your Venge looks fire .
I actually have this set up on my road bike and really like it, but cassette options are limited. I have the XT wireless derailleur, Alugear 46t front chainring and a ZTTO 11-40 cassette and it works great. The ZTTO cassettes are easy to get from Aliexpress and shift perfectly well. I initially tried a Sunrace 11-42 cassette, but the shifting was awful. SRAM also do an 11-44 Apex12 speed cassette that works with a HG freehub, which I have considered, but then I would have to get a flat top chain (Wipperman also do a flat top compatible chain) and also change the cassette on my turbo trainer as well. I do think Shimano are missing a trick by not offering cassettes between the 11-36 road and the 10-45 gravel options.
Can confirm, this works perfectly fine. Running GRX Di2 levers and an XTR Di2 RD with both 10-51 and 9-45 cassettes (chain line optimisation for fast/hillier races).
To run both cassettes, you’d need the SGS version (long cage). Not sure how smoothly the short-cage (GS) will work with the 51, if at all.
Another thing to consider is to run XD-driver type 12s cassettes (eg. Garbaruk). Much more choice on that driver. 12s Eagle and 12s Shimano is compatible.
Small addendum: I did recently swap in a fresh Shimano (MS) cassette after a Garbaruk (XD) with a driver swap (very easy with DT Swiss hubs) and the shifting on the “native” system is noticably more crisp and swift.
Genuine request. Can people explain to me why run these types of combinations? I understand 1x and the associated gearing. But what about XTR choice etc etc and the other elements discussed in this. Thanks. Oh and yes, that bike looks f-ing fast and for a 2019, quite current.
For my personal context, I’m a 80kg racer that mostly focuses on criteriums and sprinter friendly road races. My reasoning for going down the XTR route was because it offers the medium cage 9-45 cassette and the ‘clutch’ system which is ideal for my racing where I live and my racing style (sprinter).
Also, I’m a firm believer in “you get what you pay for” and XTR is the top tier in Shimano’s line up. Top tier = top performance, especially when it come to this bike that is only taken out for races.
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