November 11, 2008 (Peterborough, ON) — The advanced technological innovation of Shimano’s Dura-Ace 7970 Di2 earned the recognition of the world’s largest science and technology magazine, with Popular Science proclaiming the new electronic shifting components the Grand Award Winner in the Recreation category for the “Best of What’s New 2008.” Dura-Ace Di2 was one of 100 technological innovations included in the December issue of the magazine, but swept the Recreation category to take the top prize as one of only ten Grand Award Winners.

“Elite competition road cycling has never before seen an innovation like Dura-Ace Di2, a component group that marks the highest level of performance with the most precise shifting imaginable,” said Devin Walton from Shimano American Corporation. “This exciting award from Popular Science honors Shimano’s continued leadership in innovation to redefine what’s possible in road cycling with Di2, the latest addition to the Dura-Ace brand – the benchmark of performance for professional cyclists and road cycling enthusiasts since 1973.”

Dura-Ace 7970 Di2 is an electronic shifting option for the 7900 series Dura-Ace road component group and integrates seamlessly. Comprised of Dual Control- style combination shift / brake levers, front derailleur, rear derailleur, and a battery pack, the new Dura-Ace Di2 7970 components provide precision shifting performance, an intuitive rider interface, and enhanced ergonomics while adding only 56 grams when compared to the full mechanical counterpart. The components have proven their capabilities this year in competition by top professional cyclists in the ProTour.

Dura-Ace Di2 will be available January 2009. For more information, please visit www.shimano.com.

About Shimano
Shimano American Corporation is the U.S.-based subsidiary of Shimano, Inc. a multi-national manufacturer of bicycle components and fishing tackle. The company has operations in Irvine, Calif., Woodland, Wash., Broomfield, Colo., Peterborough, Ontario, and Kirchzarten, Germany.

About Best of What’s New
Each year, the editors of Popular Science review thousands of products in search of the top 100 tech innovations of the year; breakthrough products and technologies that represent a significant leap in their categories. The winners “” the Best of What’s New “” are awarded inclusion in the much-anticipated December issue of Popular Science, the most widely read issue of the year since the debut of Best of What’s New in 1987. Best of What’s New awards are presented to 100 new products and technologies in 10 categories: Automotive, Aviation & Space, Computing, Engineering, Gadgets, Green Tech, Home Entertainment, Home Tech, Personal Health and Recreation.

About Popular Science
Founded in 1872, Popular Science is the world’s largest science and technology magazine; with a circulation of 1.3 million and 6.8 million monthly readers. Each month, Popular Science reports on the intersection of science and everyday life, with an eye toward what’s new and why it matters. Popular Science is published by Bonnier Corporation.