New Shimano Ultegra and Dura-Ace Groupsets with 12-speed Gears

New Shimano Ultegra and Dura-Ace Groupsets with 12-speed Gears

All new Vélobsessive road bikes configured with Shimano Ultegra or Dura-Ace now ship with the latest 2×12-speed wireless Di2 versions — here's what changed across shifting, interface, drivetrain, and braking.

Updated: Jan 6, 2025

Shimano Ultegra and Dura-Ace groupsets with 12-speed electronic shifting

While the new Dura-Ace was developed uncompromisingly for every competitive advantage, the new Ultegra brings all of those top technologies at an everyday price. Both groupsets share improvements across four areas: gear shifting system, interface, drivetrain, and braking system.

Gear Shifting System

Shimano Dura-Ace rear derailleur
Shimano Ultegra front derailleur
Shimano Ultegra front derailleur detail
Shimano Dura-Ace rear derailleur detail
  • Wireless communication between gear levers and derailleurs.
  • New Di2 servomotors with a more compact design.
  • Rear derailleur shifting time reduced by 58%; front derailleur by 45%.
  • Charging port and integrated radio transmitter built into the rear derailleur.
  • Weights: Dura-Ace R9200 rear derailleur 215 g / front 96 g — Ultegra rear 262 g / front 116 g.

Interface

Shimano Ultegra and Dura-Ace cockpit
Shimano Ultegra and Dura-Ace brake/shift lever
  • Improved ergonomics on shift/brake levers.
  • Enlarged grip area between handlebar and lever for better comfort and control.
  • Optimized spacing between the two shift buttons.
  • Wireless communication between levers and derailleurs.
  • Weights: Dura-Ace shift/brake lever 350 g — Ultegra 391 g.

Drive Train

Shimano Ultegra and Dura-Ace crank with power meter
  • New 12-speed Hyperglide+ cassettes in 11-30 t and 11-34 t configurations.
  • Gear shifting possible under full load.
  • New 12-speed cassettes are compatible with existing 11-speed freehub bodies.
  • Cranks available with integrated power meter.
  • Weights: Dura-Ace power meter crank 748 g — Ultegra 769 g.

Braking System

Shimano Ultegra and Dura-Ace brake caliper
  • Shorter idle travel and faster pad-to-disc contact.
  • Optimized modulation for a better, safer braking feel.
  • 10% larger brake pad spacing at rest — reduced noise.
  • New brake discs with less heat-induced deformation.
  • Weights: Dura-Ace one-piece calipers 229 g/pair — Ultegra two-piece 282 g/pair.

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"I was tired of spending a lot of money on bikes that never truly fit. So I founded Vélobsessive."

Thomas Glättli

Founder of Vélobsessive & Bike Fitter

[ THE MAN BEHIND THE BLOG ]

Tired of Bikes that don't fit

Thomas Glättli is the driving force behind Vélobsessive. As an enthusiastic cyclist and dedicated amateur athlete, he was tired of compromising when it came to finding the perfect road bike. In 2019, he founded Vélobsessive with a clear goal: the rider shouldn't have to fit the bike; the bike should fit the rider.

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