Will R8070 levers be compatible with 6870 FD and RD?

[Gearhead65]

(The answer may be buried in the huge Ultegra thread, but I can't find it, if it is there. Sorry and thanks.)

[FIJIGabe]

Short answer: yes.

[ms6073]

Short answer: yes.

Longer short answer - up until Shimano pushes a firmware update that prevents cross-compatibility, as was the case after the introduction of the 9070 series.

[MayhemSWE]

Longer short answer - up until Shimano pushes a firmware update that prevents cross-compatibility, as was the case after the introduction of the 9070 series.

Ehh, what? The only combination I can remember used to work until Shimano actively blocked it were a 10-speed 6770 front derailleur with an 11-speed rear derailleur. Has there been anything else?

[BdaGhisallo]

Short answer: yes.

Longer short answer - up until Shimano pushes a firmware update that prevents cross-compatibility, as was the case after the introduction of the 9070 series.

As far as I recall, all of the 11sp DI2 components have always been cross compatible with each other. I do recall Shimano using a firmware update to remove the ability of the 10sp 6770 Ultegra DI2 levers to shift the 11sp RDs and FDs.

[djwalker]

Shimano requires that the FD and RD be designed for the same number of cogs. So, either both 11 speed or both 10 speed. That prevents a cheapo 11 speed upgrade by only changing the RD. It actually initially worked (I had it) and then they changed the firmware and it stopped working. The levers don't matter. Any lever will work with any derailleur.

[achiu]

I can confirm that R9170 levers works with 6870 FD and RD using the most up to date firmware. I would expect R8070 to work as well.