Shimano held the event in San Diego, near the home of their US distributor in Irvine, CA.

Shimano employees load up a van full of bikes for our first ride.

There are now two different bar-end shifter options – the current style with two buttons per shifter, and this new one-button style. The new shifters ONLY shift the rear derailleur; the front must be shifted via the 2-button brake lever shifters. Shimano says this option may be preferred by TT-specialists, but they suspect that triathletes will stick with the 2-button style.

The new junction box has enough open plugs to use as many shifters as you want.

Long-time Shimano athlete, Tim DeBoom, attended the product launch as a special guest. Tim recently retired from triathlon competition, but still participates in many endurance cycling and running events.

Our peloton of journalists rides through beautiful California countryside.

Our ride included a brutal 11-mile ascent up Palomar Mountain. The lead group included former professional road rider Neil Shirley (left), Tim DeBoom (right), Ben Delaney of Bike Radar, and yours truly in the orange Mavic jersey. To put it lightly, Ben and I were in the 'pain cave'.

The convenient climber’s switch can be placed on the front or back of the handlebar – to be accessed by either your thumb or forefinger.

Sometimes tired legs need a rest.

This was the reward for all of our hard work climbing up Palomar Mountain.

The new 9070 brakes offer fantastic power, feel, and modulation…

…which I learned to appreciate on the VERY long descent down Palomar. The rear light is my 80 lumen Exposure Blaze, which we recently reviewed.

The new Dura Ace crank is offered in a single bolt pattern that handles all chainring sizes from 50/34 to 55/42.

The new Dura Ace Di2 rear derailleur handles up to a 28 tooth big cog.

The new front derailleur plugs in on the rear, rather than the front.

This is the sprint switch. One goes on each side of the bar, and changes only the rear derailleur. To access it, simply cut a small hole in your handlebar tape.

Our second day of riding included ‘hot laps’ at Fiesta Island with different sets of Shimano carbon wheels.

This was my loaner bike for the event – not a bad way to get around for a few days.

Tim DeBoom stops for a quick photo on Fiesta Island.

Shimano’s PRO accessory line includes this handy stem strap to hold the new Di2 junction box.