105 vs ultegra

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2006-09-12 10:10 AM

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Master
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Subject: 105 vs ultegra

Can anyone who has some experience with both component groups tell me what the difference is in performance and durability between 105 and ultegra?   I know they are supposed to be the sweet spot for price/performance.   I test ride bikes and they all feel the same to me.  In fact, I can hardly tell the difference between my current sora bike and the 105 and ultegra stuff.  Am I missing something? 

 

 

2006-09-12 10:18 AM
in reply to: #537732

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Champion
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Subject: RE: 105 vs ultegra

My first bike I got in '04 has 105 parts and my new in June tri bike I got Ultegra so I have both.

Reality is this year's Dura Ace becomes bases for Ultegra next year and 105 the following year. Can I tell a difference when riding? Nope. My first bike has a triple that I hate..new bike has a compact crank...if you are a weaker cyclist don't get a triple...chain drops delays in shfiting...it sucks! Compact crank is so much easier to shift...and makes getting up hills much easier. Performance...can't tell a difference due to parts but due to the type of gearing I have.

My coach who was a bike racer told me most bike racers get 105 because they are cheaper...work just about as good and really it comes down to money. If you have extra $ yah they are a bit lighter & have a snob appeal, but for the average triathlete it won't make a difference...lose .5 of a pound and you'll be better off than spending lots of money. Better to spend time training you the engine.

I'm looking at getting another bike...a road bike.  This one I'd get 105's to save money.



Edited by KathyG 2006-09-12 10:20 AM
2006-09-12 10:21 AM
in reply to: #537732

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Giver
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Subject: RE: 105 vs ultegra
Performance and durability-wise, there's not much difference in performance. The finish of the Ultegra components is nicer, and the groupset weighs a bit less.
2006-09-12 3:00 PM
in reply to: #537732

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Master
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Subject: RE: 105 vs ultegra
I've had both 105 and Ultegra.  In terms of reliability, my experience is that they are both equal.  Although, I had a triple with the 105 component set, I thought the triple sucked - shifting with the triple seemed cumbersome and the chain would come off sometimes, especially on hills.  I currently have a compact with my ultegra set-up and it is clearlya much better way to go, as someone else mentioned.

Edited by betyoursilver 2006-09-12 3:01 PM
2006-09-12 3:05 PM
in reply to: #538333

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Giver
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Subject: RE: 105 vs ultegra

betyoursilver - 2006-09-12 4:00 PM I've had both 105 and Ultegra.  In terms of reliability, my experience is that they are both equal.  Although, I had a triple with the 105 component set, I thought the triple sucked - shifting with the triple seemed cumbersome and the chain would come off sometimes, especially on hills.  I currently have a compact with my ultegra set-up and it is clearlya much better way to go, as someone else mentioned.

Shifting with triples sucks regardless of the group level.

2006-09-12 3:11 PM
in reply to: #537732

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Resident Curmudgeon
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Subject: RE: 105 vs ultegra
Have a Sora triple on one bike (10K +miles) and an Ultegra triple on another  (6K +miles) , neither has sucky shifting. Keep it clean, keep it adjusted.

2006-09-12 3:59 PM
in reply to: #537732

Master
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Subject: RE: 105 vs ultegra
Like the Bear said, if you keep any bike adjusted it should shift well, but with my experience, there is not a huge difference between 105 and ultegra, but there are some:
-crisper shifting
-less weight
2006-09-12 3:59 PM
in reply to: #538350

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Cycling Guru
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Subject: RE: 105 vs ultegra
105 triples are notorious for being problem childs ...... just my first hand tuning experience.

Here's my worthless take on the Shimano stuff:

105 works well, Ultegra works well, Dura Ace works awesome. 105 tends to be a little vague feeling, and the brakes aren't that great compared to DA and to some extent Ultegra, but the weights aren't that much off from 105 to Ultegra while the cost is a pretty decent difference (assuming you EBay the parts and not buy them at a shop). In my experience, 105 wears out faster (more plastic parts) and gets sloppy after a while. And Ultegra just looks nicer.

If you can afford it, just get Dura Ace and you never have to worry about upgrading unless you want to go aftermarket or change to whenever they make 11-speed cassettes!
2006-09-12 11:16 PM
in reply to: #538441

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Expert
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Subject: RE: 105 vs ultegra

I'm with Daremo.  I've got an Ultegra triple on the road bike and Dura Ace double on the tri bike.  I do tune my own bike, so I keep everything pretty clean and precise (no shifting problems that others are talking about with the triple), but the DA definitely shifts more smoothly on both the front and back, and the chain is more smooth and quiet in general.

Honestly though, I recommend 105/Ultegra to friends looking for bikes because they usually fit their price range better. 

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