ultegra versus tiagra

fox hawkins

Hello guys

Is it worth paying that bit more for ultegra rather than tiagra?

I am about to buy my first road bike, for my 18 mile daily commute through London.

So, I don't need race performance - but something that will be durable and keep me on the road and not spending loads on maintenance.

I am a woman - so simple explanations please!
(I joke, as I know that loads of women have engineering brains. It's just that I don't ...]

Ste_S

Will you be commuting in all weathers - and through the winter ?

If so go Tiagra. The groupset is durable, and the bits that you'll need to change every now and again (chain and cassette) are cheaper.

fox hawkins

Thanks Ste S

I will be commuting in all weathers and seasons ...

So - yeah - durability is my concern.

Thanks for the advice!

feersumendjinn

Split the difference & go 105 its smoother than tiagra & has survived a full Scottish winter only had to replace the chain

Sea_Green_Incorruptible

Well bits of Tiagra are cheap to replace. If the shifters go (as happened with mine on my old commuting bike) then it's another story. That said, I hadn't looked after the bike at all so maybe it was my own fault.

Ended up with a new Ultegra-equipped bike on the cycle to work scheme which I ride day in day out all year round. The Ulterga IS nice. The shifting is very reliable and feels very solid and satisfying somehow. The only thing is it's so nice I make sure I keep it clean. This isn't a massive job: a 10 minute wipedown and re-lube on Sunday evening or after a rainy ride and it keeps everything functioning nicely. It would be a shame (and a waste) to have Ultegra and not do this I reckon, but like I say, it's not a big job and it is very nice to use.

Also, as feersumendjinn says, 105 might be a good compromise. Not had it on any of my own bikes but most people who have seem to think that the jump between it and Ulterga is not all that great..

star_rover

Tiagra works perfectly well. I wouldn't pay the extra for 105 or Ultegra for a commuting machine.

acorn_user

9 speed has its advantages for commuting. The chains tend to last longer, and the chains and cassettes are a lot cheaper. Ultegra is nicely finished though.

robbarker

Tiagra is more than good enough for commuting - paying extra for 105 or Ultegra gets you a nicer looking and (very slightly) slicker changing transmission, but Tiagra will be reliable.

It is more important to maintain it regularly - try and wash the bike down if it's been in the rain on salty roads, make sure you keep the transmission clean and wipe it dry with old towel before using a chain lubricant. If you don'thave time to wash it thoroughly, wiping the chain and cogs with a bit of old towel soaked in GT85 or WD40 before applying chain lube will keep things working through the winter.

fox hawkins

Thanks all for confirming what I suspected: that Ultegra is nice, but not necessary for a commuter bike.

However, I will be buying the bike through cyclescheme - so I end up convincing myself that the difference in price is spread over 12 months and has such a tax break that I will hardly notice the extra cost!

Thanks for your advice - really great and helpful people.

thexvw

I have Ultegra on the bike I use for commuting, its great. But then commuting is pretty much all the time I have available for cycling. It all depends on your circumstances. Commuting by bike instead of car has saved me quite a bit of money which I have now spent on bikes instead!

fox hawkins

Hello TheXVW

Like you, pretty much my only cycling time is my commute, so having a nice bike will transform the mundane into the sublime [or so I hope]!!

synchronicity

Ultegra is too good for commuting. 105 is plenty good enough & Tiagra is sufficient.