Complete bike group Black Friday: Di2, AXS discounts

Road, gravel or MTB: what complete group should you look for?

All the groups in this selection have 12 speeds, most of which are electronic. For road, Shimano is represented with the Dura-Ace R9270 Di2, Ultegra R8170 Di2 and 105 Di2 R7100, all with disc brakes. For gravel, the GRX 825 Di2 and GRX 820 are available in single chainring. For MTB, Sram offers its Eagle AXS T-Type transmission in GX, X0, XX and XX SL, including for electric mountain bikes with Bosch or Brose motors.

Compatibilities to check before confirming

• The frame: the T-Type transmission attaches directly around the wheel axle, without a derailleur hanger, and requires a compatible UDH frame.
• The rear wheel: 12-speed road cassettes from Shimano fit on an 11-speed road freehub, while T-Type 10-52 cassettes require an XD hub.
• The bottom bracket: rarely provided, it depends on the frame and crank axle, 24 mm for Shimano, standard DUB for Sram.
• The electric mountain bike: E-MTB versions come with cranks designed for the motor axle, Bosch or Brose depending on the model.

Assessing a discount on a complete group

A crossed-out price can only be compared on a like-for-like basis: two ads with the same name don’t always have the same parts, and discs, Di2 battery, cables or chain may be missing from one of them. Then align the crank lengths, from 165 to 175 mm, the gearing of the chainrings, and the range of the cassette, 11-30 or 11-34 on road groups, before looking at the given price. A P attached to the Shimano reference, like R9270P or R8170P, indicates a power meter crank; for Sram, the mention is in full. Outside of sales, check the complete bike groups. To change just one part, look at the rear derailleurs or the cassettes from Black Friday, and consider the clearance sale for the rest of the year.

Shimano and Sram, the two brands in the selection

Shimano has made its Di2 12-speed groups semi-wireless: the levers control the rear derailleur wirelessly, with a cable connecting it to the front derailleur and a battery housed in the frame.

Sram mounts the T-Type rear derailleur on the wheel axle, eliminating the hanger and limit screws; levers and derailleurs communicate wirelessly via the AXS protocol. Some XX SL and XX versions come with a power meter crank.

Frequently asked questions

Is a complete group better than buying piece by piece?

It ensures that all parts belong to the same generation, which is essential in electronics where levers and derailleurs need to recognise each other. If you only need to replace one worn part, buying individually is sufficient.

Can a Di2 12-speed group be installed on an older road bike?

The frame must accommodate flat mount disc brakes and the routing for electrical cables. 11-speed road wheels can still be used with a 12-speed cassette.

How can I tell if a frame is compatible with UDH?

Sram prints the UDH logo on its universal derailleur hangers: if your frame has one, it is designed for this standard.

When can I take advantage of discounts on complete groups?

The peak time remains the Friday after Thanksgiving, but discounts for the complete groups operation are spread throughout November. The operation arrives at the end of the season: a group fitted during winter allows time to adjust the transmission before the season starts again.

Can I install a complete group myself?

Yes, with the right tools: bottom bracket and cassette wrenches, hose cutter and hydraulic brake bleed kit. For electronics, pairing is done through the manufacturer's app. Without this equipment, take the installation to a workshop.