105 or Ultegra?

[mick skinner]

I'll be upgraing the groupset on my bike soon and I want to know if it's worth spending the couple of hundred pounds more on the compontents that are one higher in the range or not?

I mostly bothered about reliability and durability rather than weight or what it looks like, I certainly don't want to go for top of the range because I don't want to look like I've got more money than sense.

I got a new frame and put all my old Campag components on it but they are on their last legs and so I've decided that I really should invest in a whole new gropupset. I don't want to go with Campag again because it seems that the UK distributer is really poor because I've had trouble getting hold of spare part a lot.

Opinions from anyone with experience in these matter will be appreciated.

[meic]

There is the old saying "any groupset below my level is junk and anything above is a waste of money".

I am unaware of any complaints about 105 that would not equally apply to Ultegra.

Have you had a browse through the various specs? There are quite a variety of other differences at the moment that I would find important, like the chainring and cassette sizes on offer in the various groupsets.
Which means for me that I prefer the rather mediocre but fully functional Tiagra range for many components.

I would also split the groupset if not economically unfavourable and have higher range stuff in the less noticeable but important areas like hubs. I would do this for the bottom brackets on older systems but on modern Shimano external bbs I think it likely that there is no difference but colour between the BBs!!!

Having said that, if you want to spend your hard earned (or otherwise) money on an Ultegra just because you think it is lovely then that is one of the joys of life.

[Audax67]

On my Audax bike I ran a 1999 9-spd 105 for 11 years with just one failure, on a shifter. Shimano replaced it free of charge, even though it was out of guarantee. Now running 10-spd 105, which eats a chain every 3000+ km. Front brake is a bit funny, too: looks as if one block is slightly in front of the other. Meanwhile the 9-spd shifters are on my LHT and still working.

I've had Ultegra hubs, chains, cassettes, etc but never a full Ultegra group. I don't think it'd be much better. LBS says main difference is in weight and snob value.

I agree with Meic on splitting the group - get the best of both worlds.

[Pickled Pig]

Moved last year from an Allez with 105 to a Roubaix with Ultegra. Can't see any advantage apart from minimal weight saving which is insignificant for me compared to excess weight elsewhere. The one disadvantage I find with Ultegra is the range of movement for upshifting is lower and I still sometimes double shift by mistake after a year. Will be going for 105 on my next bike.

[iandriver]

What's the new frame out interest? I've always believed in cleanly speccing a bike (as I call it). No point spending a kings ransom on the groupset if you haven't spent the same on the rest of the parts.

£1800 titanium jobby, Ultegra all the way with similar amounts spent on finishing kit and wheels etc. Less expensive, but still nice frame, 105 or even the new 10 speed Tiagra shouldn't be overlooked, IMHO.

[chocjohn9]

The higher the spec the more fancy materials are used which tend to not be so reliable.

I have used both and have had less trouble with 105 - which also costs less to keep going.

Consider Tiagra too, which as a 9 speed is so flexible in that most manufacturers and most groupsets come in a 9 speed, so the options to later add or subtract and get parts for, make this a very sensible option.

[Swallow]

I have 7 speed Sora, 9 speed Tiagra and 10 speed 105. I can't see any real difference in shifting, perhaps I'm not as fussy as some. I actually like the button on the Sora but I ride mainly on the hoods. I've had the Sora for more than ten years now and never had a moments trouble. I'm not suggesting that any one is better than the others but having said that, I am surprised when I see £1000 bikes speced with Tiagra or even Sora

[freeflow]

105 for value, ultegra for ego.

[mick skinner]

iandriver, The new frame is a Litespeed Xicon, which is a mid range titanium frame. This is one reason I don't want to go for Dura-ace, because I prefere having mid-range throughout; I've done racing and had lots of different high end, light weight stuff and I'm bored with that now. Another reason for having Shimano instead of Campag is because there's not alot of carbon fibre parts and the bare metal (aluminium) will match the bare metal of the frame.

After everybodies advice I think I will go for 105 and spend the difference on other kit, like Assos and Rapha winter clothing and stuff like that.

[geomannie]

The well-known Scottish well builder, Big Al of Wheelcraft, told me that in his opinion that the internals of 105 and Dura-Ace hubs are essentially the same, the latter wrapped up in a lighter weight body. He strongly advised against buying them, even if I had wanted to.

[meic]

and spend the difference on other kit, like Assos and Rapha winter clothing and stuff like that.

Suddenly the Ultegra seems like a good way to spend your money after all.

Admittedly I know little about Rapha and Assos than their price, though I do have a very good old Assos frame pump.

[gbnz]

There is the old saying "any groupset below my level is junk and anything above is a waste of money".
.

I'd agree with that

The issue I find is that I have a bike equipped with tiagra, soro, 2300/2200 and even an "unbranded shimano" assortment of parts .

[blackbike]

I reckon 105 has been superb since the late 90s.

I re-equip with it as a matter of course.

[reohn2]

FWIW,if your frame will take MTB hubs LX,if not Ultegra.
Mechs,105 or Tiagra
STI's,Tiagra.
Chainset,Stonglight Impact or Spa's own touring c/set BB shimano UN55.
brakes Tiagra DP's
Chain,Sram
All good long lasting kit.