Shimano Ultegra R8100 12spd Di2 Review: Is It Overpriced?

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I’ve been riding Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100 for over 5,000 km. I upgraded to it from the previous generation, Ultegra R8050.

Shimano Ultegra R8100 Summary

My Experience with Ultegra R8100

Prior to this groupset, I rode a Shimano Ultegra R8050 2×11spd electronic disc brake for over 20,000 km. The upgrade to 2×12spd was not as big of a jump as switching from mechanical 105 to electronic Ultegra. But I decided to buy it for my Winspace Agile bike build.

Of course, you can still take advantage of the synchro modes and expect the same level of reliability. No chain drops, accurate and precise shifting, simply everything we are used to from Shimano.

The biggest change for me was the transition from 175mm to shorter 165mm cranks. They allow me to pedal at a higher cadence naturally and don’t put as much stress on my knees. As a side effect, I can sit a bit lower, being more aerodynamic. I am happy I made this transition. The taller you are, the larger the bike you need. And the industry reacts by installing longer cranks. I am 185mm tall, so most mass-produced road bikes come with 175mm cranks. But those are not always the best choice.

I am glad that we can finally adjust the settings via the e-Tube smartphone app without needing to buy the wireless module. That’s because R8100 has Bluetooth connectivity, which was not possible with the previous generation.

Regarding the durability of the individual components, I usually ride a whole season on one chain, about 6000 km. I haven’t replaced the cassette yet, even after 20k km, because I rotate cassettes more. The derailleurs and battery are also in good condition. I recharge the battery once every 2-3 months, depending on the number of km ridden.

Ironically, I find Ultegra R8100 shifters less ergonomic than the previous-gen shifters on Ultegra R8050. This is mainly because the R8100 shifters house the cell coin battery and are thus larger and more angular. However, they are still more ergonomic than the SRAM eTap AXS before being redesigned into smaller ones on the SRAM Force AXS 2023.

The last thing I want to mention is the disc brake clearance. I test many road bike wheels, so I change the wheels often. Unfortunately, their tolerances differ, so I must adjust the brake calipers. Their clearance is not large, so the adjustment is sometimes frustrating.

Shimano Cranksets Quality

The previous generation of Ultegra was subject to a huge recall due to crank failures. No similar problems have been reported with the new generation so far.

However, Shimano still has a problem with the accuracy of the power meters. I recommend watching GPLama for more information. If you are looking for a reliable power meter, check out my article summarizing the best ones.

Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100 Technical Specifications

Below, I list the Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100 disc groupset specifications.

Conclusion

It’s no surprise that the Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100 is even better than its predecessor (R8050). Unfortunately, it’s not as affordable anymore. The RRP is around $2,660, making it less accessible for enthusiasts.

The high price is basically my main complaint. There is a lack of new strong players in the market to compete with Shimano and SRAM and push prices down. There are Chinese alternatives like L-Twoo, Sensah and Wheetop, but so far they can’t match the quality and reliability.

What do you think of the Shimano Ultegra R8100? Are you considering buying it, or do you already have experience with it? Share your experience in the comments below.