Converting Shimano Di2 12 Speed Hyperglide to Di2 11 Speed Linkglide on EP600 or EP801 for Autoshift

[Astro66]

So I'm changing my Merida EMTB from Shimano Di2 12 Speed Hyperglide to Di2 11 Speed Linkglide, so that I can get Autoshift and take advantage of the 300% longevity upgrade, that the linkglide cassette and chain will provide.

Obviously 12 Speed Hyperglide sits on a Microspline Hub, and the 11 Speed Linkglide needs to sit on a HG Hub. So I'm building a new rear wheel from bit's an pieces I have at home. The only new piece I need was a Shimano HG Boost Hub.

I wanted to make sure it was a Shimano Hub so the centre-lock setup for the rear brake disc was identical, as Shimano mount the rear speed magnet on the centre-lock mechanism as well. And I didn't want to fall foul of the dreaded E295 error that comes from the speed pickup not being just right. As a couple of those errors, and you'll get E299 and it locks the motor off, and voids your warranty.

So I ordered a Shimano FH-MT400-B 32H 148 Hub

I took a 27.5 MTB rim I had laying around and checked it and the hub with a spoke length calculator. And the spokes required for the new hub were 271mm drive-side and 273mm non-drive-side.

The existing spokes in the wheel were 270mm and 272mm, so I called that near enough, and reused the existing spokes.

More posts to come.

 

[Astro66]

I finished building the wheel and it seems like it worked well. I did spin the hub the wrong way when I started adding the 3 cross spokes, so unfortunately I didn't get non-cross, over the valve stem. Not a bigge.

I then trued up the wheel for roundness, centring in the frame, and side to side wobble. I got all these within 1mm.

I've stuck a schrader tube in it because that's what I had laying around. I will change to a presta if the rest of the build goes well. Stuck a 2.4 Kenda Nevegal on it. I want to try a slightly skinnier tyre, than the 2.6 Maxxis Minion I'm currently running. But if I don't like it I'll swap them over.

 

[Astro66]

I've ordered the 11 speed Di2 derailleur. I bit the bullet and got the XT instead of the Cues. About $130 more.

I've also ordered the Linkglide cassette and chain.

I'll need to reprogram the motor when I fit it all. But it will be nice to finally get the full blown Autoshift. As well as getting the 300% longevity upgrade, that the linkglide cassette and chain will provide.

 

[Astro66]

I will be getting carbon rims if this all goes well. So I'll be unlacing that wheel and transferring the hub to the carbon rim.

This wheel is more to test the Linkglide components, and that it gives me Full Autoshift. Not that I'll use Autoshift that much. Mostly when I'm on a more cruisy ride like Firetrails, and Green Single Track.

It's also to test the strength of a wheel I built myself. As always. Failure is always an option, and is always part of the learning process.

 

[Bndit]

So I'm changing my Merida EMTB from Shimano Di2 12 Speed Hyperglide to Di2 11 Speed Linkglide, so that I can get Autoshift and take advantage of the 300% longevity upgrade, that the linkglide cassette and chain will provide.

Obviously 12 Speed Hyperglide sits on a Microspline Hub, and the 11 Speed Linkglide needs to sit on a HG Hub. So I'm building a new rear wheel from bit's an pieces I have at home. The only new piece I need was a Shimano HG Boost Hub.

I wanted to make sure it was a Shimano Hub so the centre-lock setup for the rear brake disc was identical, as Shimano mount the rear speed magnet on the centre-lock mechanism as well. And I didn't want to fall foul of the dreaded E295 error that comes from the speed pickup not being just right. As a couple of those errors, and you'll get E299 and it locks the motor off, and voids your warranty.

So I ordered a Shimano FH-MT400-B 32H 148 Hub
View attachment 150242
I took a 27.5 MTB rim I had laying around and checked it and the hub with a spoke length calculator. And the spokes required for the new hub were 271mm drive-side and 273mm non-drive-side.

The existing spokes in the wheel were 270mm and 272mm, so I called that near enough, and reused the existing spokes.

View attachment 150243
More posts to come

Sorry, but those Shimano hubs are shit. You can basically use what ever standard magnet and you`re fine. And that linkglide, hmm. 300% better. I doubt it. It`s much better when you change gears on full power, but eats chains same way than any other system. Maybe the cassette holds longer...I`ve used 11 speed linkglide now for summer for commuting, my chain is more worn than GX chain on GX drivetrain on Bullit. My wife`s 10 speed linkglide on the other hand has lasted much much better. When I checked the chains, Bullit had lottle less than 1500km`s on it and commuter around 1300km (motor was broken for two months so couldn`t ride it), GX was almost to 0,5% mark and Linkglide over it. My wife`s 10 speed linkglide barely 0,25% and She has more km`s…