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Hack! Shimano Di2 Electronic Shifting Mated with XTR on a Niner

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shimano dura-ace di2 electronic shifting with xtr on a niner air 9 carbon mountain bike

Singletrack.com just got a hold of Kristin Armstrong’s husband’s bike, fully tricked out with a Shimano Di2 / XTR mod running on his Niner Air 9 Carbon. Yes, this is the stuff dreams are made of, and it’s what happens when your wife’s Di2-equipped TT bike isn’t getting much use anymore.

Joe Savola, Armstrong’s hubby, is partners with Eric Jensen in the AceCo Sport Group, who happen to be the folks behind the K-Edge anti-chainsuck device. That partnership helps explain the incredible machining on this project, and perhaps also the reason why the ACSD isn’t quite on the market yet (kidding). They took the bike and parts to a local pro mechanic (Jason Bauer), a mechanical engineer (James Saculles) and the result is this “Ki2” system.

Jump past the break for a few more photos…

shimano dura-ace di2 electronic shifting with xtr on a niner air 9 carbon mountain bike

The resulting command center is refreshingly clean and simple thanks to the use of Shimano’s satellite shifters, which were originally designed for TT bikes…we’re just waiting to see a mod using the sprinter’s remote.

shimano dura-ace di2 electronic shifting with xtr on a niner air 9 carbon mountain bike

The rear derailleur was modified with a custom cage (machined by K-Edge with their logo in it!) that moved the pulley wheels far enough out to handle a 36T cog on the cassette.

shimano dura-ace di2 electronic shifting with xtr on a niner air 9 carbon mountain bike

Want one? Your in luck. The system was developed (or perhaps they thought of this afterward) as a parts kit that can be sold aftermarket, perhaps even with color options.

Check Singletrack’s post for the full photo gallery and story. Then check out Fair Wheel Bikes’ hack using Di2 on a Titus mountain bike just for fun.

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Spencer
13 years ago

Ok, this is incredible. That bike has to be a blast to ride. Di2 is fast and solid shifting. Nice work.

el~rio
el~rio
13 years ago

The “Singlertrack’s post” link takes you to the “Shimano Adds Di2 Satellite Shifters to Change Rear Derailleur From Drops” post on your site

Joe
Joe
13 years ago

Shimano – I hope that you are listening – for us OLDER folks with “nerve issues” this is JUST what we are looking for to replace our mechanical shifters. 😉

fleche1454
fleche1454
13 years ago

@joe
i dont think the shifter being electronic is at all going to make your nerve issue go away
why dont you try some different grips to take care of that, or better yet move your brake or shift levers into a better position for your hands
(edited)

felix
felix
13 years ago

Nice work guys!
I´d like 2 see a video of it.
Cheers , Felix

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