New Shimano GRX Di2 has me questioning the future of groupsets

Remember that with Garmin computers you get 3 options from 1 Di2 button, as you can single-click a hidden button, double-click it, or click and hold, configurable on the Garmin, lots of choices. On my road bike I used to have the left hidden button as Garmin control and right hidden button as rear downshift. I programmed it like that, so if I was drinking/eating with my left hand and needed a downshift going uphill I could do so safely. I always had my Di2 buttons setup SRAM-like, left shift levers easier gears (front and rear) right levers harder gears. I have been saying to my fellow riders for ages that Shimano should change the one button for front upshift and another for a front downshift, to just being able to hit a button which tells Di2 to "just give me a front change", as there are only 2 rings, and you can only be in one or the other. Much simpler idea than having 2 seperate buttons.

I'd use the spare shifter to open the garage door, then turn the coffee machine on and start my shower running. 😅

Activating a dropper post with an extra button might be a useful feature for a gravel/CX bike.

If I had a spare button I would use it to extend my Shimano shifting subscription :)

Love your reviews, honest and down to earth, would love to see more MTB related reviews. Thank You!!

I really hope that we see a quality 10 speed mechanical groupset again. I fear that L-Twoo and Sensah may be the future for non-competitive riders on a budget. I wonder just how sustainable this high cost tech innovation path is. Will the exponential increase in cost (purchase, service and parts) from mechanical 9/10 speed to todays hydraulic/electronic 12/13 speed be the death knell for the industry?

Thank you for pointing out the "toggle function" for front shifting. As i cant move the fingers on my left hand, i can do all my shifting with just one hand now! I already am using automatic shifting, but there are situation where a manual fast front shift is the thing i was looking for. Definitely on my todo list and waiting for the update in the app.

I hope you're right about the firmware update! I like the idea of front toggle shifting!

Why its only for little cassettes? The best thing about new grx is that you finally can use 10-51 cassetes without switching cage on a derailleur. And now they proudly show us 105 Di2 with clutch. Bruh...

I'd like to see an open standard electronic groupset. Despite what people may think, some of the original SRAM and Di2 patents will soon expire (if not already) and it should pave the way for wired electronic shifting, all powered by standard batteries that fit on the derailleur or in the seat tube or post. One electronic shifter and derailleur should be able to handle all shifting from 8-12 speed, because motors can precisely move the jockey wheels, without the need for precisely machined mechanical cogs and stops. The cages and jockey wheels can all be made to be interchangeable modular parts of the system. It would vastly simplify manufacturing and distribution, much the same way Tesla uses many of the same parts in different vehicles, to cut manufacturing costs. I've heard such potential competitor products, shown at Asian trade shows, and look forward to seeing them been installed as OEM or aftermarket.

As a frequent commuter, using the buttons to control lights and bell would make a massive difference. I've never seen a Di2 compatible bike bell though. For the lights, it's do-able within the Garmin ecosystem, but it's far from perfect. Without a third-party connect IQ on the Edge series, you can't individually control the front and rear light. I also use the shifter to scroll through the various screens of the garmin headunit. The chainring "toggle" is nice, but syncro-shift is just so convenient that I'm not sure it will impact many users.

I am doing my best to go wireless with separate shifting and braking controls. It is insane to lock both together when shifting can be done by a button located almost anywhere.

Great video Paul. But really, GRX is redundant. No increase in range over 105, more expensive. Why should you buy this over 105 for gravel?! Better ergonomics on the road levers. Spring tension of the mech maybe? You can drill a small hole further round on the cage if you want to match the spring tension of the grx mech, if its higher. Might even be the same. Since is launch GRX has always had a tiny range, the 1x being horrifically small compared to the 1x XPLR setups. I use mechanical 105 and Ultegra on gravel, chunky gravel, and never had an issue. Cheaper parts for sure.

I use a 105 group set for Gravel - R7000 11 speed mechanical with 11-40T cassette, no modifications required. front mechs is working with 46-30T chainrings - £200 for the whole set

I have 105 Di2 and tend to use it mostly in the fully synchronised mode, meaning that I do all my shifting up and down on the right lever (leaving the Di2 to do its trickery on the front derailleur, which you can of course customise). This way the shifters my left lever are free to do whatever you want with and I currently have them set up to flick through the pages of my Garmin unit. I don't know how much the coming firmware update might allow us to set up specific tasks e.g. like you mentioned turning lights on/off, but basically having two spare shifters means that all sorts of functions on connected devices, including lights, cameras, and e.g. bone conduction headphones should be possible.

I have recently moved to 10 speed mechanical on my gravel bike with bar end shifter and dropper lever. Simply want something functional. I have had both di2 and sram etap/axs and while the worked fine, it’s just too expensive.

lets get those sram and shimano buttons shifting the classified hub....

Ooh that's easy (the extra button i mean) . I would use it to turn on the rocket motor! Just perfect when you are about to be dropped uphill😁

I regret going to 12 speed. It adds nothing but extra complexities and sensitivities

None of the main manufacturers seem to "get" gearing for the ordinary rider. For the many cyclists who are old, not athletically gifted, or unfit (all three, for some of us 😁), a 27-inch gear (such as 34 front and rear) is just not low enough to get up big hills. My ideal road or gravel gearing would be something like a 42/26 front and 11-36 cassette, with electronic shifting. Even Shimano's road triple doesn't go as low as this.