How to Index Shimano Di2 Wireless Gears | Maintenance Monday

Adjusting and indexing your gears is an important part of bike maintenance to help make shifting as smooth as possible. If you're using Shimano’s latest Dura-Ace R9200 or Ultegra R8100 Di2 groupsets, this is the video for you! It’ll be a little different to previous generations of Di2 but indexing gears is a fairly simple process so hopefully this guide will help nonetheless!
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Leave us a comment below!

[@gcntech]

Is your derailleur in desperate need of indexing?

[@panzerveps]

No. I indexed my di2 3 years ago.

[@Ed.R]

No I wrote code for my electronic shifting for my CVT hub to learn the optimum shifting by itself. Sounds fancy but the coding is actually quite simple, a benefit of it being an infinite speed hub.

[@GNX157]

Two things should of been covered. First, if you suddenly need to do this rear adjustment, it’s likely the derailleur hanger was bent, and if it wasn’t bent in use, it’s likely to have been off from brand new (a lot are not perfect as they could be, so before any of this is done, check the hanger alignment. Second, if you’re adjusting the indexing, you need to check the upper and lower limit screws as well. In DI2 it is very different from mechanical. On mechanical/cable system, the derailleur will rest on the limit screw when at the smallest gear, and bumps into or stopped when moving to the biggest. Di2 does not function that way. This is not the whole procedure, but the key thing is, the derailleur should NOT BE resting against either limit screw once adjusted, but be adjusted slightly away, otherwise you’ll cause excessive battery drain, wear, and damage to the derailleur if it tries to push itself against the limit screws. Read the di2 specific manual for limit screw adjustment. If you only adjust the indexing, you could possiblely end up moving the derailleur into the limit screw when shifted to one of the highest or lowest gears.

[@michaelscholl4541]

hi, could you help me? the last 2 days I rode indoor role, then today I rode outside again for the first time and something is wrong with the rear derailleur. firstly, it does not switch into the two largest sprockets left (whether large or small chainring). secondly, it shifts to the right (heavier gear) not immediately, you have to click 2x but then it shifts directly 2 gears and you have to shift one back again. thirdly: if you shift again in the smallest sprocket, you hear a noise as if the rear derailleur is trying to shift further, but this does not work. Is this due to the derailleur hanger, the limit screws or the indexing?

[@izmael_kneafcy]

Great point!

[@pdvision2194]

@@michaelscholl4541 just take it to your lbs. These videos are nice, but give the average Joe enough confidence to really mess it up.

[@awesomexistence]

Sounds as if the system went into crash mode.

[@Pshady]

Thank you for helping fix my kids bike. Bike shop put an 11 speed cassette on a 12 speed bike (wow what a surprise it worked look trash) so I had to readjust when I put a 12 back on.

[@philjackfitzy7628]

Very useful and clear, can you do a similarly clear video of how to do this with the e tube app?

[@Lachie_1770]

New Wahoo Power Pedals spotted!

[@30nabster]

Please do a complete install of the new Di2!!

[@nich8184]

Firstly, very appreciative of your channels and the work you guys are putting to promoting the sport in a very well throughout and entertaining way. I'm new to this sport, having decided that tennis has ripped my knees apart for the last time!) So, what I wanted to say was you never showed us how you make the micro shifter adjustment when the derailer is in adjustment mode. I'm guessing you push the handlebar lever? As said, a full-on newbie.

[@tobiasmesserschmidt2102]

Nice wahoo powermeter pedals 👌

[@theothervalentin]

great! Same video for Sram AXS please! front and rear

[@zzzwillzzz]

it wasn’t explained very well as to adjust the rear once in adjustment mode.

[@brantlaw9817]

Please do a video on B tension screw adjustment

[@chrisridesbicycles]

Now that‘s nice and easy. I had to redo my gears on mechanical Ultegra because I swapped handlebars and my bike has internal cable routing - what a mess. Very understandable that road bikes move towards electronic gears. On the MTB mechanical is much easier to set up due to the cable tensioners on the shift levers and you can also change the inner cable without disassembling half of the bike. Now I want to switch to DI2 even more.

[@lukacherriman5266]

Break cables will still be internally routed so its still a mess

[@kylehagertybanana]

im gonna emp ur bike gears on a hill /s

[@chrisridesbicycles]

@@lukacherriman5266 Hydraulic hoses are much more flexible than shifter outer casing. Still a pain but not as much.

[@dawoudabdulaziz9920]

Shiny wahoo power pedals spotted

[@jimhansen5395]

Shimano spec for the front mech inside plate is 0.0mm to 0.5mm (not 1mm). I would strongly suggest anyone to just the E-Tube app adjustment routines for the front mech. Its pretty much fool proof. Also, before adjusting the RD indexing, double check the Derailleur Hangar isn't tweaked using you favorite alignment gauge.

[@GNX157]

Many bikes even when new have the hanger out of alignment enough to cause some sort of issue. Also the b screw adjustment. Be careful/mindful that if you do adjust or bend the hanger, that the indexing will need to be redone as well as the upper and lower limit screws checked. This procedure is different than mechanical. The derailleur SHOULD NOT be resting against either limit screw when in the highest or lowest gear. The adjustment guide will have a specific clearance to be set between each limit adjuster and the derailleur. In normal operation, the derailleur should never be touching or resting against a limit screw. You could damage the derailleur and/or cause excessive wear and battery drain.

[@stevegoede8059]

Did I spot the new Wahoo power meter pedals????

[@d3sc3nts55]

My rear derailleur doesn't shift on the smallest (11) sprocket. Front derailleur and rear derailleur limit screws are all correctly set up. No noise from the rear drivetrain and no bent derailleur hanger either. Any ideas why I won't get onto the 11 sprocket?

[@JaiJai-by4tp]

How can the FD limit screws be correct, there arnt any .how did you check the hanger ,you have the 150 quid tool to do it ? It's either bent or you have your RD maxed out on its Indexing You need to set ut up properly with tube etube app .This video is bullshit

[@andreaonyoutube9560]

Wow wow wow. I love my di2 even more. Thanks for the simple video GCN team! Never has indexing been so easy 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@dskordo]

Thanks. This was helpful

[@latcheswing9299]

Easy install, great to use

[@cleftoftherock6797]

Super good. Thanks.

[@magicknight8412]

So they made indexing more fiddly? I like the fact I can index or adjust my gears whilst riding my bike!

[@michaelnewman4302]

I wanna know about that Speedplay power meter! Is GCN testing pre-release product?

[@twerpantine]

when I put it in adjustment mode (yellow light) and press the left buttons on the lever to adjust the front derailleur nothing happens and the yellow LED starts flashing red. the batteries are fine and its fully charged so I'm flummoxed , anyone know what's wrong please?

[@christopherreid6972]

Why does my “big gear “ on the smaller front cog , jump out of gear?

[@bike-uh7pn]

Saves me from reading the Shimano manual 🙂

[@Barrygee]

My 12 speed ultegra di2 always clicks when it’s in the 5th cog, doesn’t matter whether it’s in the big ring or the small it always clicks like it’s not indexed but I can’t seem to make it stop using the indexing method shown here. What am I doing wrong?

[@GNX157]

My first suggestion would be to check the derailleur hanger alignment. Many bikes even when new have the hanger out of alignment enough to cause some sort of issue. Also the b screw adjustment. Be careful/mindful that if you do adjust or bend the hanger, that the indexing will need to be redone as well as the upper and lower limit screws checked. This procedure is different than mechanical. The derailleur SHOULD NOT be resting against either limit screw when in the highest or lowest gear. The adjustment guide will have a specific clearance to be set between each limit adjuster and the derailleur. In normal operation, the derailleur should never be touching or resting against a limit screw on a di2 system. You could damage the derailleur and/or cause excessive wear and battery drain.

[@Barrygee]

@@GNX157 thank you for this, I’ll check the limit screws etc, I have no way of checking the derailleur alignment hanger so I’ll have to either take it to a bike shop or buy an alignment tool myself.

[@StergiosKaroympakis]

I thing have same issue,did you find a solution?

[@Barrygee]

@@StergiosKaroympakis No, every suggestion I’ve seen does nothing to stop the sound. The gears are indexed as well as they can be, everything is set properly, the hanger is straight and yet the sound remains. I haven’t eliminated the chain as being the issue just yet, I don’t see need to replace an expensive chain until its worn out, when it is i will replace it and see if the sound is still there

[@StergiosKaroympakis]

@@Barrygee ok...my bike is new so I think it's not from the chain..when I almost have to noise at 5 gear i'am getting noise from 4 because going to close to 3!!

[@ioannidesalex]

How can I wash a bike with di2 groupset ?

[@BetterShifting]

Just like you wash any other bike, really :)

[@trekmadone936]

This 9200 chain, can crank 9100 used this 12 speed chain?

[@divinemercy7036]

This is helpful. I have dura ace 9200 group set and on the E-TUBE app it allows for individual cog position adjustments for the rear mech. Is this necessary/helpful if the rear mech still makes noise (clicks) every several crank turns in a particular cog as it seems to be doing in my case?

[@GNX157]

My first suggestion would be to check the derailleur hanger alignment. Many bikes even when new have the hanger out of alignment enough to cause some sort of issue. Also the b screw adjustment. Be careful/mindful that if you do adjust or bend the hanger, that the indexing will need to be redone as well as the upper and lower limit screws checked. This procedure is different than mechanical. The derailleur SHOULD NOT be resting against either limit screw when in the highest or lowest gear. The adjustment guide will have a specific clearance to be set between each limit adjuster and the derailleur. In normal operation, the derailleur should never be touching or resting against a limit screw. You could damage the derailleur and/or cause excessive wear and battery drain.

[@koorbeslla]

Informative and clear

[@lilladokka]

This bike was really easy to assemble kzbin.infoUgkxMesz3KOGEmwmvyKQfLfrRSUXLFzfVHZA and required very few adjustments out of the box. The wheels did not require any truing/adjustments. The frame had some small scratches, but nothing major.I did replace the seat though - the seat it came with was very uncomfortable. The tires need to be re-inflated every 4-5 days, but this appears to be quite common for the narrow 700x25 tires.Overall, in my opinion, this bike looks and rides like a much more expensive bike.

[@gabpolitely]

I spy the Wahoo Powermeter Pedals!!

[@gcntech]

🤫

[@SuperMilocat]

This video does not actually show you how to do it. It just says you can do it using the app. I already know that. not helpful.

[@RichardMigneron]

Now, if I could just the money to buy these groupset ...

[@peterrose9985]

Far too vague for non mechanic types. Utterly confused.

[@kylehagertybanana]

its crazy that it cant just index itself

[@Ed.R]

The automatic shifting I made for my CVT hub does it itself. Bit more difficult to find gears though.

[@deepdiver51]

What?? You didn’t show anything about how to index the rear!!!! You just said to line it up with sprocket. Useless!!

[@LoscoeLad]

This is pretty crap, lads

[@izi941]

Not wireless…I still see wires 🤷

[@RudiDwiHartanto]

you must be fun at parties

[@nafeesnamedit]

I mean it's still alright if you have the money to afford it. Also, you got other wired options with pretty much the same performance. If you're that kind of a nerd then you can go for it. But I still prefer wired as I can only afford them.

[@panzerveps]

​@@nafeesnamedit In this case the term "wire" is about transferring electric signals, not mechanical movement. If you can't afford di2, don't buy it. If you can, and want crisp gear changes each and every time, less maintenance and no problems, go di2. I bought my di2 bike 2nd hand, and I will never go back to mechanical.

[@nafeesnamedit]

@@panzerveps yeah I already know that. But I tried di2. It shifts like magic!

[@dh7314]

Original

[@romanpramuka2703]

This is brutally overcomplicated, just turn the barrel adjuster and you are done 😂. Because I have two wheelsets and a turbo trainer, each with diferent hub and cassette, I need to adjust RD on the fly. Mechanical is the best 👍

[@n22pdf]

Are those new speed play pedals with power meter ?

[@michelefunarineto6717]

Testing the new Wahoo Speedplay power meters already???

[@yisraels4555]

Out of curiosity... Can multiple index settings be created? For different wheels or to match a turbo trainer?

[@djstalca1]

I am using old Di2 Ultegra... If you use smart trainer you need to just adjust rear derailleur and through app just remember offset...

[@yourdeadjack]

No

[@scottwoods8390]

I second what was mentioned below. You did not address the high and low adjustment screws on the rear mech. Rather important detail when first setting up your Di2, which I am, and will need to search for a more comprehensive video on how to actually set up my derailleurs. Good vid for once you have them set up.

[@jameslee-pevenhull5087]

You mean it's NOT automatic??? Why haven't they got a knock sensor?

[@MikeLamare]

I appreciate your efforts! 🙏 I’ve got a question: 🤨 I only have these words 🤔. (behave today finger ski upon boy assault summer exhaust beauty stereo over). What is this? 🤔

[@donwinston]

Shimano's E-Tube phone app is terrible. Even the name is stupid.

[@juanluismontes]

It seems very wired to me…. Not like SRAMs that are actually wiresless

[@henrycheang424]

Is getting expensive to ride.

[@francescodiprisco6200]

It seems (too) easy … but really is not !

[@Chaos_Prerogative]

Speedplay power meter?

[@DennisNowland]

Now that is useful

[@Patrik6606]

#askgcntech. Hi guys, hope you all had a great christmas. My question is about head units and battery life. How do you charge your head units while on a long ride, long in hours? With more sensors connected the battery gets drained faster. Do you bring a battery pack?

[@peterthomas8053]

That's exactly what I was thinking. I carry a battery pack if I set out on a ride with not much life left in my head unit. I can recharge it at the cafe halt. But if I check my shifter life before I set off, and it's low, can I use a battery pack without the Shimano charging unit in line. And, yes I know that I should have checked it the night before, but sometimes we forget.

[@razorree]

how to change a gear when battery is flat (or near flat and front mech doesn't work)?

[@kibbee890]

I've heard so much about how di2 made indexing unnecessary but I guess I was misinformed.

[@82vitt]

Every group set needs initial indexing. Later you don't need to re-index as you would have to with a wired group set, unless you knock the rear mech out of alignment.

[@tarpontime7562]

Usually you don’t have to index the gears once set up. But when swapping from on and off a trainer you may have to make small adjustments.

[@alexandrevictor5779]

Can the R8070 Ultragra STI be used with the new R8100 group?

[@chrisridesbicycles]

The Shimano website says no.

[@BetterShifting]

@@chrisridesbicycles Yep! Correct. (and the Shimano site is right, because I tested this with the 12-speed bike Shimano gave me last week:)). You can only use some TT/Tri shifters and the SW-R9150 satellite shifter with 12-speed Di2.

[@IraklyShanidze00X]

Alex, this is great, but could you tell how to tame FSA We derailleurs? It all goes well on a stand, but, once on the road, the rear mech starts living its own life. I have a Campagnolo 11-speed cassette there, but all 11-speed road drivetrains are said to be compatible. The chain is good, the cassette is also almost new. The crankset is Campagnolo Super Record, also less then 6 months old...

[@UkuBxlUku]

Guys, i have issue with my hardest speed. When i m puting it the derailleur touches the frame and the small wheel and the chain (upper one) scraches the frame as well. I tried to set it up as you showed on the video, i tried to play with H and L screws and the only thing that i managed to prevent that it happens i set up H limit on the second hardest speed. I bought used bicycle but for around 300-400km eveything worked perfectly and first i started having problems when i was going up from hardest to the middle speed but this was caused by the fact that the lock of rear derrailleur was open and i didnt realised it. Can somebody give me advice how i can try to solve my issue? Thanks

[@spidermacleod9702]

Great Info and just to add to it, when you're pairing shifters/switches, if the shifters don't work after pairing (as in my case recently), simply remove and re-add the switches. Another tip, sometimes it helps to shine a flashlight onto the QR Code to help the app to read it or type in manually.

[@tonyf75]

I put a new chain and cassette on and my bike sounded like a Walmart special. Thanks for the quick fix video. Cheers

[@rafalraval9150]

How to switch to adjusting mode on the run ,when you can't stop ( race, etc ... )

[@ulmontsmith8365]

When adjusting the rear, does it matter if in the big or small front chain ring? The video shows the large ring.

[@SiParengBen]

I'm looking forward to getting myself a carbon fiber bike, I never had one or had the tools for one, what tools/stuff would be necessary for me to have? Ps. I do all repairs on my own I hope you can help me out #askGCN #GCNShow

[@peglor]

Stay with metal - even with expensive carbon fibre frames, it seems to be a crapshoot regarding whether you get a round BB shell that's in tolerance, decent frame alignment and no dangerous voids hidden inside the material. Also, unlike metal frames, carbon fibre frames can't be recycled into new carbon fibre frames, so if ecological reasons are a component of the reason you like bikes then stay well away from it.

[@SonnyDarvishzadeh]

with custom components and geometries, that's I'm planning to do as well. still hard to obtain all of them, but once done, a nice walk through would be very helpful.

[@stuartdryer1352]

Same tools as for a steel or aluminum bike.

[@tarpontime7562]

#1 tool to buy would be a quality Torque wrench!!

[@zodgzod]

@@tarpontime7562 or two torque wrenches: one for things like seatposts and headsets, the other for cassettes, brake rotors and other items needing more torque.

[@greghilliard7641]

Life saver. Thankyou very much.

[@maxshepherd2567]

how can you tell if the hanger is bent?

[@joachimchigozie951]

Does the bike have suspension?

[@nathanjimenez1562]

Is it the same on the new 1o5 di2

[@stevesedgwick5789]

Great explanation

[@philchevrier]

Great video thx! Nice 2022 Orca Aero too!

[@JaiJai-by4tp]

This isn't how it's done ,seriously GCN this us nonsense .

[@charlesmiv3842]

How is it done then?

[@JaiJai-by4tp]

@charlesmiv3842 Cog 5 ,click inboard until it makes a noise then 4 clicks back .That is RD 0 ,or Shimano might be wrong and GCN know better

[@charlesmiv3842]

@@JaiJai-by4tp alright. I’ll try that out.

[@davidburgess741]

Madness!

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

Very cool, Alex! Thanks for the education!

[@javierq6268]

how do you update the cassette to a new one larger? I plan to change from 11-30 to 11-34 how do I let the system know that I have a different cassette? and do I need to do new adjustments?

[@GNX157]

Check the Shimano specs if that model derailleur can handle the new ratio cassette. Also, You will also need a new longer chain. Refer to the park tool guide for creating the right length chain for Shimano road 2x systems.

[@zodgzod]

Easier to do it E-Tube.

[@donwinston]

I found E-Tube to be terrible for other things. Haven't yet tried the derailleur adjustment feature.

[@akira_9308]

#asktech Can i use front derailleur and rear derailleur ultegra Di2 r8050 for shifter ultegra Di2 r8070 ?

[@BetterShifting]

R8050 and R8070 are the same, but if you're asking whether or not you can use your older 11-speed shifters/derailleurs with new 12-speed components then the answer is no :)

[@akira_9308]

@@BetterShifting thank you very much for the answer it really helped me 😁

[@williamwallace6508]

that didnt cover the rear derailler nax min setting. useless

[@IanB17]

Not sure why this covered on the new groupset when hardly anyone has access to it. Would’ve been more useful on the previous series that far more people have.

[@repiola174]

That's an awesome video that saved me an appointment to the bike shop. Thanks a lot!

[@RudiDwiHartanto]

#askgcntech can i use shimano 12 speed crankset and casette with sram force 12 speed etap fd and rd?

[@jazzzerbes4412]

No that won’t work because of the chain

[@galenkehler]

Perfect timing, I was just adjusting my Archer wireless shifter on my bike 🤣

[@nickjohnston635]

I've got the R8100 and love it. However, one thing I haven't worked out is how do you change modes without having to use the app. You have M, S1, and S2. It would be great if you could change modes from the hoods. If you know how, could you do a video on this, please?

[@Richardoculus]

You can change the modes with the button on the junction box

[@nickjohnston635]

@@Richardoculus in the new R8100 series Di2 there is no junction box

[@BetterShifting]

@@nickjohnston635 You can either press the button on the rear derailleur, OR you can assign "function" to any of your shift buttons - for example the hood button. That would also let you tweak the indexing/micro-adjustment on the bike. If you have a garmin device then you can also change synchro shift mode using that. Wahoo users cannot, unfortunately... :(

[@urdrenn]

Man I expected something very technical, yet Shimano and GCN made it so easy O.0

[@bernielanger5679]

I thought the big selling point for Di2 was no manual indexing? If you still need to index, then what's the advantage over mechanical?

[@jaredlash5002]

The biggest advantage I can tell, as someone who still uses mechanical, is that you don't need to re-adjust over time because of cable stretch.

[@oliverbodeker4178]

Bought my bike 4 years ago with ultegra Di2. Since then never had to adjust anything.

[@tarpontime7562]

You will only have to index them again when switching on and off trainers and even then it’s a maybe.

[@germurphy4986]

This video is relevant to a few hundred bike owners worldwide.