Shimano’s electronic road racing components DURA-ACE with Di2 technology (Digital Integrated Intelligence) have been rewarded with a 2009 iF Product Design Award. With a history of over 50 years, the iF contest is one of the world’s leading design competitions, organised by the International Forum Design in Hannover (Germany). This year 2,808 products from 39 countries were judged by a panel of renowned experts.
Unveiled in summer 2008, the DURA-ACE Di2 (7970 series) was awarded in the ‘Leisure/Lifestyle’ category, based upon its innovation, functionality and design level. The DURA-ACE 7970 series will be available in the market from spring 2009.
The winning DURA-ACE components will be presented at the iF design exhibition 2009 that opens its doors on 3 March 2009 at the Hannover Exhibition Centre. The exhibition runs until August with around 300,000 international visitors expected.
The DURA-ACE 7970 series consists of dual control levers, electronically operated front and rear derailleurs and a battery kit. Other components, such as crankset, cassette sprocket, chain and brakes, are equivalent to those in the new mechanical DURA-ACE 7900 series.
With Dura-Ace Di2, shifting is ‘easier and effortless’, just tipping a shift button is sufficient to move the chain to the requested sprocket or chainring. Shimano claims that the biggest improvement in shifting is on the front derailleur.
Meanwhile, when shifting the rear derailleur, the front derailleur automatically adjusts itself. Further benefits can be found in electronic shifters especially for time trial and triathlon usage. These products eliminate the need to change hand position for shifting. The rider is able to change gears at the base-bar as well as at the bar extensions. The result is a saving of time and better concentration on the ride.
