Bike Components: Shimano 105 vs. Ultegra

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2007-12-17 12:13 PM

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Subject: Bike Components: Shimano 105 vs. Ultegra
Anyone one have experience with 105 vs. Ultegra?  I have Dura Ace on my 4-year-old road bike, and it's has worked pretty well for the most part.  I'm looking to put together a lower end tri bike to start out.  Just curious if 105 is a big step down in quality from Ultegra, or if it is a reasonable alternative.  I'll pay the extra $$$ for the Ultegra if it is quite a bit more refined, quieter, stronger, etc. than the 105.  The shifters offered with the two packages I'm considering are DA, though.

2007-12-17 12:20 PM
in reply to: #1106164

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Bob
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Subject: RE: Bike Components: Shimano 105 vs. Ultegra
I think there is a huge difference going from 105 to Ultegra. Especially if you are coming off riding on Dura-Ace. If you jump on a bike at a LBS with 105 on a trainer you will immediately feel the difference.
2007-12-17 12:20 PM
in reply to: #1106164

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Subject: RE: Bike Components: Shimano 105 vs. Ultegra
You won't notice a lot of difference especially with bar end shifters (and for the record, they only offer one model of 10-speed bar end shifter, so they will always be the same and tend to call them Dura Ace even if they are not really).  If you were going STI, then I'd say opt for the Ultegra, but for building a decent tri bike on the less expensive side 105 will work fine.
2007-12-17 12:21 PM
in reply to: #1106176

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Subject: RE: Bike Components: Shimano 105 vs. Ultegra

rstocks3 - 2007-12-17 1:20 PM I think there is a huge difference going from 105 to Ultegra. Especially if you are coming off riding on Dura-Ace. If you jump on a bike at a LBS with 105 on a trainer you will immediately feel the difference.

STI yes, bar end, no.

2007-12-17 12:21 PM
in reply to: #1106164

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Subject: RE: Bike Components: Shimano 105 vs. Ultegra
I've only seen DA shifters...probably standard. I can't compare the two, but I use 105 on my Tri Bike and haven't had any issues. I believe the main difference is extra grams for 105.
2007-12-17 1:13 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Components: Shimano 105 vs. Ultegra
Good feedback, thanks.  I'll have to check into the weight difference between the two.  If I could just keep myself from inhaling chocolate bars for a month, I bet I'd drop way more than the weight difference between the component groups.  Sadly, it's probably easier to spring for lighter components than to stop being a pig.


2007-12-17 1:22 PM
in reply to: #1106285

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Subject: RE: Bike Components: Shimano 105 vs. Ultegra
SevenZulu - 2007-12-17 1:13 PM Good feedback, thanks.  I'll have to check into the weight difference between the two.  If I could just keep myself from inhaling chocolate bars for a month, I bet I'd drop way more than the weight difference between the component groups.  Sadly, it's probably easier to spring for lighter components than to stop being a pig.
I am in the process of building a tri bike as well.  I currently have a low, low end road bike with Sora components so for my anything is an upgrade.   Ideally I would like a DA but in the interest of saving a lot of $$ I am going with almost all Ultegra over 105 for pretty much 1 reason and that is Ultegra does not seem that much more than 105. I prices out 105, ultegra and DA all brand new and DA was double Ultegra and Ultegra was less than $200 more than 105.  I figured shopping on ebay I would make the range even smaller.  As others have mentioned all shifters are DA but you can get 9 or 10 speed versions.  9 speed seemed to be slightly cheaper also so that I was I am buying.
2007-12-17 1:32 PM
in reply to: #1106302

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Subject: RE: Bike Components: Shimano 105 vs. Ultegra
Like KPF has found, Utlegra is the best value IMHO.

For STI Shifters I don't notice a difference between 105 and Utlegra, but I do notice the difference in Dura ace STI shifters. But honestly, the biggest difference you can make is with a good set of cables/housing that is properly set up.

And I'd agree that calling bar ends shifters dura ace is kind of lame on Shitmano's end. They are the only bar end shifter they make, but I don't think they are dura ace quality.
2007-12-17 2:18 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Components: Shimano 105 vs. Ultegra
My bike is a three year-old (or more) ultegra bike and it shifts much better than my wife's brand new 105. It could just be that I'm used to the ultegra on my own bike but I don't like the 105 shifting - it seems delayed and sloppy. Of course, it's possible that her bike just needs some adjustments.
2007-12-17 2:26 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Components: Shimano 105 vs. Ultegra

I've got various mixes of old Ultegra and 105 on my bikes -- 8-speed Ultegra STI on my road bike, old 7-speed Ultegra rear der. and a Suntour bar end shifter on the commuter bike, and 105 (of unknown vintage, though it would have been after the introduction of STI) on the tri bike (with the DA bar-end shifter).

The only thing I've noticed with the 105 is that the return spring on the front der. is a bit weak. Might be partially due to age and wear, but that is really the ONLY performance difference that even enters my mind as significant.

2007-12-17 3:59 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Components: Shimano 105 vs. Ultegra
This was awesome .. thanks to all who replied.. i too am building a new tri bike and am on the fence about 105's vs. Ultegra vs. Campy.. my current bike is mostly old Sora and junk .. it goes fast .. but i want to go faster ..


2007-12-17 4:04 PM
in reply to: #1106621

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Subject: RE: Bike Components: Shimano 105 vs. Ultegra

louamerica - 2007-12-17 3:59 PM This was awesome .. thanks to all who replied.. i too am building a new tri bike and am on the fence about 105's vs. Ultegra vs. Campy.. my current bike is mostly old Sora and junk .. it goes fast .. but i want to go faster ..

New bike/components of any level aren't going to provide much help toward this goal unless you improve the engine.

2007-12-17 4:08 PM
in reply to: #1106437

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Subject: RE: Bike Components: Shimano 105 vs. Ultegra
In my some what snobbish opinion, comparing shifting between components is only really viable if the same person sets up both systems with the same cables, and both systems are the same age (ideally new).

Comparing used this set up by joe and new that setup by bob just doesn't really say much.

All that being said. I've built more bikes then I can remember (4 a day when it was part of my job) and a new ultegra bike does have a noticeable difference in shifting quality then a new 105 bike. But we're talking full system differences, not just the derailleur, or the shifters.

But if all you are looking at is having an ultegra derailleur vs. a 105 and everything else is not going to change then I doubt there will be any discernible difference in performance.

Edited by graceful_dave 2007-12-17 4:11 PM
2007-12-17 4:09 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Components: Shimano 105 vs. Ultegra
Here is a link to show the differnce in price.  DA = 1200, Ulegra = 690 and 105 = 575.  So Ultegra is only $115 more.  That is new so I am sure if you shop ebay you can get it even cheaper.
2007-12-17 4:33 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Components: Shimano 105 vs. Ultegra

For the others who mentioned that they are building a bike, I'm curious what you are considering for the frame?

I'm looking at the 735TT from www.leaderbikeusa.com.  They have a good deal on component kits, or I might pick an aero component kit from the shop tied in to BT here...

I doubt that I'll save all that much $$$ overall, but I'd like to try my hand at assembling the bike for my own edification as much as anything else. 

2007-12-18 10:58 AM
in reply to: #1106665

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Subject: RE: Bike Components: Shimano 105 vs. Ultegra
SevenZulu - 2007-12-17 4:33 PM

For the others who mentioned that they are building a bike, I'm curious what you are considering for the frame?

I'm looking at the 735TT from www.leaderbikeusa.com.  They have a good deal on component kits, or I might pick an aero component kit from the shop tied in to BT here...

I doubt that I'll save all that much $$$ overall, but I'd like to try my hand at assembling the bike for my own edification as much as anything else. 

I bought a motobecane nemesis frame as I got it cheap, $125 (which included carbon forks and standard bars).  I should be able to build it for less than $400 since I got rims for $35.00.

Edited by kproudfoot 2007-12-18 10:59 AM

2007-12-18 11:00 AM
in reply to: #1106631

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Subject: RE: Bike Components: Shimano 105 vs. Ultegra
You are right Bear.. perhaps I should have written "I go fast, but would like better components to assist me in going faster" .. i guess the biggest problem I have is that my current bike shifts too slow, and is kinda heavy.. I still do the miles and can even get'er up to 30+ mph.. but these Cervelos and BMCs pass me like I'm standing still.. but I always catch these people on the run..
2007-12-18 3:31 PM
in reply to: #1106164

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Subject: RE: Bike Components: Shimano 105 vs. Ultegra
If you are looking at STI sifters, I would highly recommend the Ultegra over the 105. Some of the advantages over the 105 are the weight (not really a huge deal but still a factor), Ultegra shifts a lot smoother and more accurately than 105, and then the Ultegra will not need as much adjusting as the 105 over time.

Not to mention, like previously said, the Ultegra is not that much more in price, but a big jump in quality.

Good luck with your build,

Brooks
2007-12-18 3:46 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Components: Shimano 105 vs. Ultegra
SevenZulu - 2007-12-17 5:33 PM

For the others who mentioned that they are building a bike, I'm curious what you are considering for the frame?

I'm looking at the 735TT from www.leaderbikeusa.com.  They have a good deal on component kits, or I might pick an aero component kit from the shop tied in to BT here...

I doubt that I'll save all that much $$$ overall, but I'd like to try my hand at assembling the bike for my own edification as much as anything else. 



Schwinn Stingray TT edition. All Carbon. Only way to go IMO.
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