Shimano Dura Ace 11s Downtube Shifter (hack)

[Look585]

Shimano does not provide downtube shift levers for its 11s groupsets. However, with a bit of work you can remove the guts of the rear 11s bar-end/time-trial shifters and fit the indexing unit into the rear 7900 downtube shift lever.

Parts required:
SL-BSR1 11s TT shifters
SL-7900 10s DT shifters

Tools required:
Dremel with a tiny burr bit
Patience

Diagram: I'll refer to the part numbers below for both DT and TT shifters. "4tt" would be the time-trial lever body, "3dt" would be the down-tube indexing unit.

Process:

1) Remove the indexing unit (3tt) from the TT lever body. It simply pulls out with a bit of force. You will likely dislodge the two funny looking washers on the backside (5tt and 6tt) in the process. That is fine as they will follow the indexing unit to its new home.

2) Remove the indexing unit (3dt) from the DT lever body as above.

3) Have a look at "stop washers" 5tt and 5dt. You'll note that they are slightly different. The shorter distance between the "stop tabs" in 5tt allows the lever to rotate about 10 degrees further around to make room for the 11th detent position in the 3tt indexing unit.

4) Turn the now empty lever (4dt) over and look at the "backside". The raised section (yellow oval) in 4dt needs to be "shortened" with a dremel burr so the stop washer (5tt) from the TT shifters fits. You need to remove about 1.2mms of material. I started with a flat diamond needle file to remove the "proud" portion and then switched to a dremel burr to hollow out the "recessed" portion. Go slow and check the fit of your 5tt periodically to ensure you don't go past what needs to be removed. You can also measure the same feature on part 4tt as that is the dimension you are targeting for 4dt.

5) Once you have shortened the limiter on 4dt and the 5tt washer fits in the recess, simply assemble the bits in the following order and you are ready to mount to your DT shifter boss: 7dt>6tt>5tt>4dt>3tt>2dt>1dt

I have been running the 7900 DT lever as 11s for a few weeks now, perhaps 250 miles and 100s of shifts. It works fantastic, nice positive clicks in the lever and the indexing is spot on.

[m_sasso]

Thanks for the write up, knew this was possible however unaware how it was done.

Are you using a 10speed rear derailleur, if so witch one?

[bbobway]

Nice write up, thank you!

[Cicli]

Thanks for the write up, knew this was possible however unaware how it was done.

Are you using a 10speed rear derailleur, if so witch one?

The indes is for 11 speed. You need an 11 speed derailuer.

OP, very nice job.

[stien]

Thanks for the write up! Anyone know if this will work with a Shimano 600 tricolor shifter?

[Mr_Gimby]

Thanks for the write up! Anyone know if this will work with a Shimano 600 tricolor shifter?

Why would you need to adapt that for a downtube application? It comes already setup for DT mounting...

[stien]

Convert the 6s lever to 11s?

[Look585]

RD, Cassette, Chain are all 11s.

No idea on the 600 Tricolor. Pull it apart and if it looks like the above...

One last note, you can test your setup without any modification by simply dropping the 3tt indexing unit into your existing dt lever (no other parts from the BSL1 unit). It should index perfectly with your 11s setup, but not rotate far enough to reach the 11th index detent. If that works, get out the dremel to extend the throw.

[guido]

Fantastic! Thanks so much!

[Ti Designs]

With a single micro switch I could make a Di2 downtube shifter which will work just fine with 11-speed...

Sometimes you have to think forward to work backward.

[Look585]

With a single micro switch I could make a Di2 downtube shifter which will work just fine with 11-speed...

Sometimes you have to think forward to work backward.

Yep, it is easy to make auxiliary Di2 buttons and stick them somewhere, but the vestigial DT shifter mounts on your old steel (or Ti!) frame will still look silly. :hello:

Sometimes you want to do something that cannot be done.

[stien]

With a single micro switch I could make a Di2 downtube shifter which will work just fine with 11-speed...

Sometimes you have to think forward to work backward.

I have a picture in my head: a momentary two way toggle coming out the top of a DT cable stop. That would be so cool. I may have to do it.

Looks like you need shifter guts that house the all important a-d connected to a switch. Anything other than 7970 is digital.

[chiasticon]

cool writeup! knew it was possible, just didn't know the details of HOW :hello:

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0211/9892/products/B-Road-misc_1024x1024.jpg?v=1421187926

[Look585]

I have a picture in my head: a momentary two way toggle coming out the top of a DT cable stop. That would be so cool. I may have to do it.

Looks like you need shifter guts that house the all important a-d connected to a switch. Anything other than 7970 is digital.

Yeah, I considered this, but you need the "brains" somewhere. You could probably bury everything in the seat tube (battery, a&b junctions, and shifter brains) and then run wiring inside the downtube to the DT bosses with a hole drilled on either side where the mounting bolt runs. Then you have to find mom-off-mom rocker switches that aren't huge and would jive well with the rest of the build. Then you'd need to build housings/mounts for those rockers.

The dremel work on the 7900 lever keeps everything looking stock and crisp and gets my retro ride on the 11s wheel standard. I'm not saying the eDT-Di2 project isn't worth doing, just that it is going to be pretty involved.

If anyone wants to take this to the next level (eDT-Di2), I have a pair of shifter brains from a crashed set of 6870 levers I'd donate to the cause. :beer:

[Look585]

cool writeup! knew it was possible, just didn't know the details of HOW :hello:

While I really appreciate the Breadwinner project, that is a stunning and cool ride with amazing attention to detail, they fell a bit short with the use of the "flat" DT shifter boss covers. For ~$10 and some dremel time, they could have re-profiled some "radiused" DT shifter boss covers and achieved a better aesthetic. Details! :D

[GregL]

Thanks for posting your work. Very much appreciated. Now I'm looking forward to the next installment - DA 7700 rear hub modification for 11-speed!

- Greg

[Ti Designs]

Yep, it is easy to make auxiliary Di2 buttons and stick them somewhere, but the vestigial DT shifter mounts on your old steel (or Ti!) frame will still look silly. :hello:

Sometimes you want to do something that cannot be done.


First, I don't do anything that poorly. Second, almost everything I want cannot be done, that's what makes it fun...

I have a camera mounted on my fixed gear, since I only have a front brake the right side brake lever was available for camera control. Pull the lever half way and it focuses, pull it all the way and it takes the picture. The camera is a Panasonic Lumix G3, so it only took 3 resistors and two micro switches, but my point is that it looks like a brake lever and works like a cable release. Making a down tube shifter that works with Di2 would mean making a shifter that has a spring return from a set position, with a switch in either direction. With SPDT information, the rest of the shifter can be put elsewhere...

[Mr_Gimby]

Convert the 6s lever to 11s?

Ohhh, I see. Well then, Carry on! :hello:

[Look585]

First, I don't do anything that poorly. Second, almost everything I want cannot be done, that's what makes it fun...

I have a camera mounted on my fixed gear, since I only have a front brake the right side brake lever was available for camera control. Pull the lever half way and it focuses, pull it all the way and it takes the picture. The camera is a Panasonic Lumix G3, so it only took 3 resistors and two micro switches, but my point is that it looks like a brake lever and works like a cable release. Making a down tube shifter that works with Di2 would mean making a shifter that has a spring return from a set position, with a switch in either direction. With SPDT information, the rest of the shifter can be put elsewhere...

Wow, I was thinking *way* too small. I think I see your vision.

Kind of "paddle shifters" for downtube Di2? Traditional levers with "return-to-center" springs and momentary-off-momentary circuitry to enact shifts?

Push right lever = shift rear mech down stack
Pull right lever = shift rear mech up stack
Push left lever = shift to little ring
Pull left lever = shift to big ring

I'd buy this!

[hollowgram5]

Wow, I was thinking *way* too small. I think I see your vision.

Kind of "paddle shifters" for downtube Di2? Traditional levers with "return-to-center" springs and momentary-off-momentary circuitry to enact shifts?

Push right lever = shift rear mech down stack
Pull right lever = shift rear mech up stack
Push left lever = shift to little ring
Pull left lever = shift to big ring

I'd buy this!
I'd be interested in this as well. Sounds awesome!

[AllanVarcoe]

Oh no, don't show me this! This may be just enough of a push to convert my old Bridgestone to a 10sp! Ha!

[Vinci]

Wow, I was thinking *way* too small. I think I see your vision.

Kind of "paddle shifters" for downtube Di2? Traditional levers with "return-to-center" springs and momentary-off-momentary circuitry to enact shifts?

Push right lever = shift rear mech down stack
Pull right lever = shift rear mech up stack
Push left lever = shift to little ring
Pull left lever = shift to big ring

I'd buy this!
Making that work probably wouldn't be too tough. Making it look like a DT shifter might be a trick...

[cp43]

Oh no, don't show me this! This may be just enough of a push to convert my old Bridgestone to a 10sp! Ha!

You don't need to do any of this to get to 10 speed, you can still buy 10 speed downtube shifters (for Shimano at least):

http://www.aebike.com/Shimano-Dura-Ace-7900-DoubleTriple-10-Speed-Braze-On-Shifters_p_19049.html

[Mike V]

Thanks for posting your work. Very much appreciated. Now I'm looking forward to the next installment - DA 7700 rear hub modification for 11-speed!

- Greg

I asked about that in another post but never got a reply.


MV

[onsight512]

very cool. thanks for sharing that!

[inouecchi]

Making that work probably wouldn't be too tough. Making it look like a DT shifter might be a trick...

I made Di2 downtube shifters based on the toggle switch.
https://youtu.be/QOA7ENnLUuw

I also made another type of retro electric downtube shifters.
https://youtu.be/FYhrPh0-uGg

[Louis]

For ~$10 and some dremel time, they could have re-profiled some "radiused" DT shifter boss covers and achieved a better aesthetic. Details! :D

Yeah, it really stinks that these aren't available for larger DT diameters. I hate the look of the "flat" ones.

[blakcloud]

I made Di2 downtube shifters based on the toggle switch.
https://youtu.be/QOA7ENnLUuw

I also made another type of retro electric downtube shifters.
https://youtu.be/FYhrPh0-uGg

This is brilliant. Thanks for sharing.

[R3awak3n]

I agree! Brilliant

[boywander]

I made Di2 downtube shifters based on the toggle switch.
https://youtu.be/QOA7ENnLUuw

I also made another type of retro electric downtube shifters.
https://youtu.be/FYhrPh0-uGg


That is awesome that you retrofit a servo to the Campag centaur rear derailleur in the second video! Where is the receiver control module?

[jemdet]

You can always just stick the bar ends on your downtube shifter bosses :)

[inouecchi]

That is awesome that you retrofit a servo to the Campag centaur rear derailleur in the second video! Where is the receiver control module?
Thank you everyone for watching.
A battery and a controller are contained in a small bag.

[inouecchi]

Thank you everyone for watching.
A battery and a controller are contained in a small bag.

I will attach an image.

[inouecchi]

It is a production process.

[shrimp123]

I made Di2 downtube shifters based on the toggle switch.
https://youtu.be/QOA7ENnLUuw

I also made another type of retro electric downtube shifters.
https://youtu.be/FYhrPh0-uGg


can you please share more details on how you adapted the DI2 to the downtube shifters? the one on the Carrera..... would be interested in that mod.

[boywander]

That hack is very cool! Great job inouecchi! You might have already try using a smaller servo maybe it was too weak(?). I have plenty of servos but the key is the controller that dictates the increment amount of movement to index. Thanks for sharing your innovation.

[inouecchi]

can you please share more details on how you adapted the DI2 to the downtube shifters? the one on the Carrera..... would be interested in that mod.

Disassemble the Di2 climbing shifter and solder the wires.
Simply solder the three wires to the toggle switch electrodes.

[inouecchi]

That hack is very cool! Great job inouecchi! You might have already try using a smaller servo maybe it was too weak(?). I have plenty of servos but the key is the controller that dictates the increment amount of movement to index. Thanks for sharing your innovation.

You can easily make it.:)

[inouecchi]

This is a method of installing a servo on the derailleur.
Remove the return spring. Extend the axis of the servo and make it coaxial with one axis of the pantograph. Fix the servo body with wire fixing bolts.

[shrimp123]

Disassemble the Di2 climbing shifter and solder the wires.
Simply solder the three wires to the toggle switch electrodes.

interesting..... may be i will see if i can fit 2 of these SMD switches inside the downtube shifter....

https://www.amazon.com/mxuteuk-Self-Lock-Flashlight-Latching-BK-1208/dp/B086L2GPGX/ref=sxin_15_ac_d_mf_br?ac_md=2-1-bXh1dGV1aw%3D%3D-ac_d_mf_br_br&cv_ct_cx=micro+push+button+switch&keywords=micro+push+button+switch&pd_rd_i=B086L2GPGX&pd_rd_r=a73e2d51-31ad-4f62-a4b3-247ae0d0d119&pd_rd_w=nAoVL&pd_rd_wg=uBatk&pf_rd_p=17756b3a-4504-468b-830d-8b5875afd168&pf_rd_r=ZX732GE4QFCWD3J8G2TZ&psc=1&qid=1638348188&sr=1-2-ed8a42d3-65f1-4884-a3a2-0dd6e83b6876

1698035705

[Nomadmax]

The ingenuity of some of the people around here is astounding.

[boywander]

This is a method of installing a servo on the derailleur.
Remove the return spring. Extend the axis of the servo and make it coaxial with one axis of the pantograph. Fix the servo body with wire fixing bolts.


Ryoichi- Thank you very much! I will send you private message with any questions I have. Awesome invention on the cable mechanical rear derailleur as well!!

By the way welcome to paceline!

[inouecchi]

Has anyone actually made an electric down tube shifters? Or do you know that there are cases in the past?
I hope I can make friends.

[Forza20]

bravo !, i applaud your ingenuity

great work, very impressive :)

[inouecchi]

bravo !, i applaud your ingenuity

great work, very impressive :)

Thank you for watching. I am very happy. 😁

[boywander]

Has anyone actually made an electric down tube shifters? Or do you know that there are cases in the past?
I hope I can make friends.


I don’t think so. This is the first electronic down tube I’ve seen here.

[Dr_AL]

Just finishing up this build. Thanks for the details on modifying the 7900 shifters.

https://scontent.fyvr5-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/278386801_10166360469240068_2564368644270793994_n. jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=Zalnr-6kVfsAX9DNJeP&_nc_ht=scontent.fyvr5-1.fna&oh=00_AT_8xBakXI1b4VA9OieaqJCsDZclEk0pB55b_2Ane7_B vQ&oe=6262D1F1

Works perfectly...

[daughterofgirl]

Hey! Thank you for sharing, it's useful! I'll add the report later. Upd, yes, it's a useful trick and suitable for my bike(this one (https://www.bikethesites.com/full-suspension-mountain-bikes-under-2000/#product6))

[jemdet]

You can also just stick a 11V bar end shifter on your DT shifter mount. :)