can I go from ultegra ui2/di2 to Dura Ace di2

[masking_agent]

If I purchased a bike with Ultegra ui2/di2 , could I eventually swap it for Dura Ace di2 if I went and bought the groupset by itself ?

The reason is that I currently have Ultegra mechanical, but always loved Dura Ace as I used to have Dura Ace down tube shifters.

 

[Aapjes]

You can always upgrade by replacing the entire groupset. A cheaper option is to just upgrade to 11 speed and keep the Ultegra levers and crankset. Replacing the rear derailleur, cassette and chain is enough (you also need to switch to Dura Ace firmware).

Of course, this assumes that you upgrade the current generation Ultegra Di2 to the current generation Di2. Current Ultegra Di2 may not be compatible with a future version of Dura Ace Di2.

 

[masking_agent]

You can always upgrade by replacing the entire groupset. A cheaper option is to just upgrade to 11 speed and keep the Ultegra levers and crankset. Replacing the rear derailleur, cassette and chain is enough (you also need to switch to Dura Ace firmware).

Of course, this assumes that you upgrade the current generation Ultegra Di2 to the current generation Di2. Current Ultegra Di2 may not be compatible with a future version of Dura Ace Di2.

yes, that is what I will be doing. Replacing the entire groupset. I just wanted to ensure the internal cabling routes would be the same to accomodate the Dura Ace.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

If I purchased a bike with Ultegra ui2/di2 , could I eventually swap it for Dura Ace di2 if I went and bought the groupset by itself ?

The reason is that I currently have Ultegra mechanical, but always loved Dura Ace as I used to have Dura Ace down tube shifters.

Sure..there is nothing unique about a frame/shimano Ui2/Di2 combo...

Need a 11s compatible rear wheel tho..

 

[Aapjes]

yes, that is what I will be doing. Replacing the entire groupset. I just wanted to ensure the internal cabling routes would be the same to accomodate the Dura Ace.

It is extremely unlikely that they will increase the diameter of the electric cables. That is really the only thing that matters concerning frame compatibility. Like the other guy said, make sure you get a wheel that supports 11-speed cassettes (or budget a wheel upgrade).

Financially your upgrade path is sub-optimal, but I guess you just want to own a full Dura Ace set for nostalgic reasons. But depending on your financial situation, you have the option to upgrade in steps:
1. Upgrade the rear derailleur, cassette, chain and possible the wheel/body. Then switch to Dura Ace firmware. Now you have an 11 speed groupset.
2. Upgrade the front derailleur if you want your bike to look better (it is sleeker).
3. Upgrade the brakes if you want better braking (duh).
4. Upgrade the crankset if you want less noise and have you bike look better.
5. Upgrade the levers if you want sprint and/or climb buttons or if having different letters on the levers is important to you.

Of course all upgrades save weight too. You don't have to follow my order, you can choose any order you like, depending on what improvements are most important to you. Although I would do nr 1 first, of course.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Save yourself the trouble and buy a bike with a full D/A kit. Yes, it will be a good deal more money, but the time and effort of doing it bit-by-bit will quickly become much greater than the money spent once.

 

[Aapjes]

Some people like tinkering... If you keep watching for good deals, it may be much cheaper to upgrade like that.

 

[avanti]

Another way to get a good deal on equipment is to buy a bike on sale, take of the components you want, then sell the frame and other components on Ebay. I know two people who did this, one by buying a 48 cm Cervelo, then switching its components to his much larger Lapierre frame.

 

[a-team]

If I purchased a bike with Ultegra ui2/di2 , could I eventually swap it for Dura Ace di2 if I went and bought the groupset by itself ?

You could upgrade both Ultegra Di2 10 speed and 11 speed to Dura Ace 9000 piece by piece. You couldn't do the same to or from Dura Ace 7970.

With Ultegra 10 Speed Di2 for instance you could change rear deraileur and cassette (hub allowing) and you would have 11 speed. Any piece of Ultegra 11 speed will direct swap with Dura Ace 9000. The wiring harness is the same.

If you want more details I can get you the link to the topic on weight weenies.