I haven't seen too many reports about DI2 and cyclocross. I saw one two part blog posting by a Canadian but his courses didn't seem too muddy or snowy like we get in the NE US. What do people have to say about it for muddy cx? Are there problems?

Nearly all the top Europeans are sponsored by Shimano, and I'm fairly sure they all use Di2. I think there are less problems in mud & ice than with mechanical Shimano because exposed cables don't get fouled as easily (obviously internal routing or sealed cables combat this to an extent).

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/pro ... o-prestige
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/pro ... dvanced-sl
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/pro ... ey-x-night
http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/02/ ... ige_273573
http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/02/ ... ght_273592

I used to think that TT was the best use of Di2...until 'cross. Di2 is perfect for 'cross use. The more mud, the better. If you need some proof, check-out Sven Nys shifting at the Druivencross: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf5DaW0e6Q4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (action at around 18:50)

Pros will often compete with less-than-stellar equipment if the sponsor says they must. I do admit though that I don't follow professional cross, I just lose to them badly when they come to the north east. It's interesting because the US pros mostly seem to be on SRAM which is why I haven't heard too much about DI2 in cross. My thoughts were precisely that it would be amazing to no longer care about my cables and housing!

Sven Nys isn't going to risk losing for a couple of bucks. If he can't get an advantage, that stuff is going straight in the trash. The value of winning to the Brand far exceeds the short-term sponsorship value. Back to Di2, the power of the stepper motors is truly amazing. It will blow through mud and ice like nobody's business.

On of the muddiest nastiest races i did was in dec last year and rode 2 identical kona major jake bikes one with regular 7900 the other di2. the di2 bike i had just put together the day before and had not even really put a lot of pressure on the pedals yet, so the di2 was my pit bike.

I got a flat on lap 2 switched bikes and it was night and day shifting wise. The di2 was just as good 40 mins into the race as it was 10 mins in. I was blown away. You dont realize the true benfit until you hit some crazy mud.

nathan

Wow that's some good feedback. I guess Ultegra UI2 will be my next build. Thanks

Actually, I've been thinking more. Since I don't know much about those cool Euro pros, has the same success been achieved with Campy EPS?

No.

That's not necessarily a knock on EPS, it's (again) just a byproduct of sponsorship. Campy sponsors zero 'crossers that I'm aware of.

Hmm I guess I should rephrase the question then... "Could" the same success be achieved with Campy EPS? Does it handle mud as well?