Blog Featured

Shimano E-tube 5.0.3 Incompatible with SM-BCR2

I can get that Shimano is SUPER excited about their new 12 speed Di-2, but in that excitement they seem to have forgotten that the overwhelming majority of their Di-2 user base is running the previous generation. Most of these folks, are probably using the SM-BCR2 to charge and connect with the bike to do things like firmware updates, setup shifting, and configure the gears. Because if you don’t have a D-Fly, which is an optional component most OEMs and bike builders leave off due to cost, it’s the only way to do these things.

Given all of that, it amazes me that Shimano has decided it’s OK to euthanize support for the SM-BCR2 in the latest version of the E-tube project. Compounding the frustration, they make it unclear which version of E-Tube SM-BCR2 owners should download.

So… as a Windows 10/11 user with a SM-BCR2, which version do I want? Oddly enough, it’s the one for Windows 7, and the SM-PCE1?!?!

Compounding the issue, Shimano doesn’t like it that I have the old version running, and will prompt to install a newer version. RESIST THIS!

Because the newer version, is the bad version, that doesn’t work with the SM-BCR2…

Speaking of bad… Shimano, WTF? It’s one thing to discontinue support for older hardware in your software, although I really hope this is an oversight, it’s next level hostile to prompt users to update to a newer version that won’t work with their kit, and you know they have it if they’ve ever used the app…

You Might Also Like

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
2 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Richard Cassidy
Richard Cassidy
9 months ago

Well written!! I have this same problem and it’s a real hassle, as the site prompts you to download the new version, which makes everything useless/not compatible, forcing you to erase/uninstall the new version and fight hard to find the old one (as again, 1. it’s hard to find and 2. each time it seems to try to get you to download the new version!!). It’d be great if Shimano sent an upgrade for all it’s typical SM-BCR2 users, that’d allow us to use some new system with ours!! Riiiiiight!! When pigs fly, hell freezes over and lord knows what… Read more »

MrRedHead
MrRedHead
9 months ago

Hi, I had never updates on my Di2 or installed the Shimano E-Tube software, but what I did was this. Installed the latest version (v5.0.2), started and get the message there is no support for the SM-BCR2. After that I installed the older version, found under the “Archive” Downloaded & installed the older version: https://api.shimano.com/etube/public/data/upload/published/E-tube_Proj_V_4_0_4.zip The software updated the Ultegra DI2 firmware, no issues, no “I want to install a new version”. But i never de-installed the latest version (5.2.0), so the old and new are on the computer, maybe that solves the “I want to update to the latest version… Read more »

2
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x