Monday, July 21, 2014

My Prize: Ultegra Di2 Groupset

I have never owned a bike when I was a kid. My first bicycle was a Raleigh mv8 from a group of friends. It was an excellent gift! As it came with quick wheel release, the bike could fit nicely into my car boot.


Months later, I signed up for my first Triathlon - Cold Storage Triathlon held in September 2013. I was intending to race on my mv8. As my birthday falls in the month of August, another group of friend came together and gave me a sum of money to buy a bicycle. After weighing the need for a 2nd bicycle, I decided to visit Rodalink, which is near to my place.

Rodalink carried mainly 2 brands; Polygon and Colnago. While I was shopping, I noticed that Shimano, the Japanese cycling component manufacturer was holding a contest. Take a pic with the demo bicycle and upload it to their facebook for a chance to win a Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset. I did not know what a Di2 groupset was, but decided to participate anyhow. This was the picture I posted.


I went on to buy a Polygon C4.0 that day. Polygon C4.0 came with Shimano 105 groupset. I did not think much about the contest, until one afternoon, I received an email from Shimano!!! 


A draw was conducted and I was picked from among the many, many entries! This guy from Shimano picked my name!!! Within 2 weeks, they delivered the groupset to my office.


At this point, I did not realize how blessed I was... Later, I found out that the entire groupset cost close to $2,000! TWICE the price of my new road bike :) I did some research on my prize.

Di2 is built on the electronic shifting technology. Since everything is electronic, changing gears become easier, effortless and faster by simply touching the shift buttons. Additional benefits include an automatic trimming front derailleur great accuracy plus easy adjustment and installation. Some people advised me to sell the prize to buy a new bike. However, I decided to keep the prize for sentimental reason :)


Well, the rest is history! Polygon C4.0 is a cheap and low-entry road bike, but mine is fitted with a high-end groupset. Quite a mis-match actually ;) The bike has served me well and I love the "zinc... zinc... zinc.." sound whenever I shift my gears. Till today, some people looked very puzzled when I tell them that I ride a Polygon C4.0 with Ultegra Di2. I will always follow up that I won it from a contest :)

Thank you Shimano for the prize :) Next post, I will share how I won a Sony Action Cam in another contest :)