Groupset update cycle?

[newierider]

Hi guys, is there a trend as to how often shimano upgrade their ultegra groupset?

i believe the latest 6800 model is from around 2013.

Thanks

[MattyK]

About every 4 years currently. And usually 1 year after Dura Ace, which was refreshed in 2016.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shimano#Road_groupsets

[madmacca]

It will be interesting to see how this plays out, as there is now an explosion of variants within groupset levels now in terms of mechanical v electronic shifting, cable v hydro activated braking, etc.

[koshari]

Di2 and more speeds aside. Where is there to go? Few more grams here and thare?

Will we ever have another period like when dual pivots and shakers came on the scene within a couple of years of one another?

[Duck!]

Shimano currently run on a four year cycle, but previously (up to 7800 and its derivatives) ran on a five year cycle. With six groupsets in the range and staggered updating over successive years, this means (currently at least) that a new Sora model comes out concurrently with a new Dura-Ace, but is a generation behind in its design features.

The current 6800 Ultegra dates from mid-2013 for 2014 model year, and is due for replacement later this year. Occasionally there can be mild mid-model updates, but there weren't really any with the 6800 series.