Install and first impressions: Shimano Deore Di2 Upgrade Kit

When Shimano launched its long awaited / overdue wireless Di2 system, it went all in. Four groups, from XTR to XT and Deore and even a GRX gravel option. But it also launched all of these as upgrade kits, not just full drivetrains. This is an option we were really interested in from the start and, with Deore only coming as an upgrade kit, it seemed like the perfect opportunity.

Why? Well, it lets you turn any existing Shimano 12-speed drivetrain, and there are a lot of those out there, into a wireless electronic group with minimal new parts.

Here’s our experience installing Shimano Deore Di2 6200 and our initial impressions of the third-tier wireless drivetrain.

What is in a Deore Di2 upgrade kit?

The idea behind the upgrade kits is simple: allow anyone with a Shimano drivetrain to upgrade to wireless shifting without turfing their entire existing drivetrain. That’s possible because Di2 is backward compatible with any existing Shimano 12-speed HyperGlide+ (HG+) drivetrain.

The upgrade kit, then, includes everything you need to pull off that upgrade, down to a quick-link, and nothing more. That is a rear derailleur, shifter, battery, charger and cable. That, and a 12-speed quick-link to reconnect your old chain, since quick-links are supposed to be single-use.

Installing Deore Di2 Upgrade Kit

Getting Deore Di2 out of the box and onto the bike is a little different than installing a good old cable-actuated derailleur, and a little the same. The first step for installing Di2 is to charge the battery, instead of fishing a cable and housing through the frame. From there on, it’s pretty straight-forward.

If you’re familiar with the process from mechanical, installing Di2 is much the same. As a mildly amusing bonus, if you hold off installing the controller, you can hold it in your hand while adjusting the limit screws so that process no longer requires an awkward reach.

Shimano relies on the same derailleur mount and trio of adjustment screws (B-tension, high and low limit) that have worked for decades. That means I was able to install it on a custom Ti Naked that isn’t that old, but still pre-dates UDH ever so…