Are GRX Di2 shifters worth extra $400 over R785/6870 Di2?

[vinuneuro]

I have a 2016 Diverge Expert that I'm looking to upgrade to Di2. The feedback indicates that the GRX Di2 is probably the best shifter ever made between the hood ergonomics and new braking servo. However I can get the previous gen R785/6870 hydraulic shifters for $150.

I know 6870 series is old now, but is GRX Di2 $400 better than R785 (just the shifters) ?

-GRX Di2 shifters = $540
-R785/6870 = $150

[TerryDi2C]

The big advantage GRX Di2 shifters have over ST-6870 is that they're actually hydraulic disc shifters (ST-6870 is rim brake only) .

As for ST-R785 vs GRX.. the GRX ergonomics are better and they have two E-Tube Ports and the hood button.
The ST-R785 do not have that button and they only have one E-Tube port.

I haven't tried ST-R785 myself, so cannot really say anything on how good/bad they really are, but I'm sure someone else will chime in

[FIJIGabe]

I have a set of the 785's, but I've never used the GRX's. Here are some things to know about the 785's, which you can use to make your decision:

Weight: tips in the 785's favor. I didn't weigh mine, but from what I've seen, online, the 785's are 255g/each, the GRX's are 285g/each. That's a 60g weight difference.

Ports: as mentioned above, the 785's have one e-tube port per shifter. If you're running a standard setup (FD/RD, no climbing or sprint shifters, external cable routing), it shouldn't be a problem. You can add a climbing shifter or the 9100-series sprint shifters, but you'll have to run a 5-port Junction A, and directly connect them to the system, not to the shifters.

Auxiliary buttons: like 6870, there are only two buttons/shifter (upshift/downshift), but no extra button on the hoods. GRX has an extra button in the hoods, which is great for shifting between pages on a Garmin or controlling lights.

Ergonomics: the 785's aren't bad. The GRX's are reported to be great. I've never found myself hurting because of my hands while riding gravel, personally.

I think it ultimately comes down to your setup and budget. The 785's are realiable and compatible with everything, today. Unfortunately, you won't be able to go for the clean, internal routing, look, because you're one port short in the setup. Also, if you're running 2x, you won't be able to control your Garmin or lights, if that's something you do, regularly (I run 1x on my gravel bike and use the smaller buttons to shift through pages, and the larger buttons are setup like eTap). If those things don't bother you and you can find a cheap set of 785's and they fit what you're looking for, then go for them.

[rollinslow]

For gravel there is no question that the GRX di2 shifters are amazing. The curvature prevents your hands from slipping up over the hoods on rough terrain. They are more comfortable as well.

[jrobart]

I've had the 785s and have justt completed a new gravel build with full GRX Di2. The GRX shifters are spectacular. Ergonomics are as close to perfect as shifters can get. Did I have any real issues with the 785s, no, and probably would have kept them had I not sold that bike, but absolutely no regrets with the GRX!

[bet1216]

Can you use the GRX di2 shifters with the Ultegra disc calipers? I assuming you can. I'm looking at upgrading my Topstone carbon that has Ultegra mechanical on it to GRX di2.

[TurboKoo]

Yes you can. Basically you can use whatever Shimano caliber with them.

[Maddie]

I've seen several people mounting grx di2 levers to their roadbikes (with Ultegra or DA calipers), seems it's getting popular. I have grx di2 levers on my cyclocross bike and I think they are fantastic

[saldegracia]

At 150 vs 500 it would take me long to make the decision, even if the GRX shifters are marginally better

[Visqu]

I have a set of the 785's, but I've never used the GRX's. Here are some things to know about the 785's, which you can use to make your decision:

Weight: tips in the 785's favor. I didn't weigh mine, but from what I've seen, online, the 785's are 255g/each, the GRX's are 285g/each. That's a 60g weight difference.

The grx di2 levers are considerably lighter at 191g per lever. The R785 are boat anchors.

https://r2-bike.com/SHIMANO-GRX-Di2-Dis ... -separated
https://bikerumor.com/2014/01/06/shiman ... l-weights/

[OnTheRivet]

I've seen several people mounting grx di2 levers to their roadbikes (with Ultegra or DA calipers), seems it's getting popular. I have grx di2 levers on my cyclocross bike and I think they are fantastic

You actually use ANY shimano flat mount caliper with any current Shimano disc brake lever (road or mountain) Shimano Dura Ace and XTR(flatmounts) are the same, Ultegra, 105,Tiagra, GRX, XT and SLX flat mounts are the same caliper. If fact the only real difference between any of them is Dura Ace and XTR have the hose mounting snout cut shorter so they weigh a tad less, that's it. And FYI the stock Shimano Ultegra caliper images are wrong, either they are just a photoshopped representation of what they thought the caliper would look like or it was an early design they no longer use but I have handled most Shimano flatmounts and they are all more or less the same.

[FIJIGabe]

I have a set of the 785's, but I've never used the GRX's. Here are some things to know about the 785's, which you can use to make your decision:

Weight: tips in the 785's favor. I didn't weigh mine, but from what I've seen, online, the 785's are 255g/each, the GRX's are 285g/each. That's a 60g weight difference.

The grx di2 levers are considerably lighter at 191g per lever. The R785 are boat anchors.

https://r2-bike.com/SHIMANO-GRX-Di2-Dis ... -separated
https://bikerumor.com/2014/01/06/shiman ... l-weights/

Seems like our sources do not agree, but I will agree that the 785's are heavy.

https://ccache.cc/blogs/newsroom/2020-r ... comparison

[Visqu]

I have a set of the 785's, but I've never used the GRX's. Here are some things to know about the 785's, which you can use to make your decision:

Weight: tips in the 785's favor. I didn't weigh mine, but from what I've seen, online, the 785's are 255g/each, the GRX's are 285g/each. That's a 60g weight difference.

The grx di2 levers are considerably lighter at 191g per lever. The R785 are boat anchors.

https://r2-bike.com/SHIMANO-GRX-Di2-Dis ... -separated
https://bikerumor.com/2014/01/06/shiman ... l-weights/

Seems like our sources do not agree, but I will agree that the 785's are heavy.

https://ccache.cc/blogs/newsroom/2020-r ... comparison

Well, you may trust ccache's written statement over a photo of a weighing if you like but see also Shimano's spec of 373g/pair.
https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/ ... 815-R.html

[Jonolsson]

192 grams my grx

Enviado desde mi POCO F2 Pro mediante Tapatalk

[FIJIGabe]

I have a set of the 785's, but I've never used the GRX's. Here are some things to know about the 785's, which you can use to make your decision:

Weight: tips in the 785's favor. I didn't weigh mine, but from what I've seen, online, the 785's are 255g/each, the GRX's are 285g/each. That's a 60g weight difference.

The grx di2 levers are considerably lighter at 191g per lever. The R785 are boat anchors.

https://r2-bike.com/SHIMANO-GRX-Di2-Dis ... -separated
https://bikerumor.com/2014/01/06/shiman ... l-weights/

Seems like our sources do not agree, but I will agree that the 785's are heavy.

https://ccache.cc/blogs/newsroom/2020-r ... comparison

Well, you may trust ccache's written statement over a photo of a weighing if you like but see also Shimano's spec of 373g/pair.
https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/ ... 815-R.html

I never said that - all I said was that our sources did not agree. Obviously a photo of the shifters on a scale changes my mind.