Ultegra vs 105

nicholasj
nicholasj Posts: 100
edited February 2011 in Road beginners
Hi all,

Is there any noticeable (for the average enthusiast rider) or perceived difference between say the newer 105 shifters/brake levers that route under bar tape and the Ultegra models that are in the 'older' style exposed cables?

I currently have Ultegra but may have the option to change but wondering if its worth it?

Cheers
N

Comments

  • dulldave
    dulldave Posts: 949
    Yes, I run both. Shifting performance on Ultegra is a good bit better. Mind you I'm still quite happy with 105.
    Scottish and British...and a bit French
  • Richa1181
    Richa1181 Posts: 177
    I think it would only be worth it if you're bothered about looks and tidy cables. Otherwise you're spending money to downgrade
  • Wappygixer
    Wappygixer Posts: 1,396
    I ran the older 105 for 18 months thne changed to the newer Ultegra 6700.
    The newer desing is much nicer to hold than the older style shifter imo.
    The shifting stroke of the shifter is also slightly less, meaning you don't have to push it as far.
    I would say that there probably isn't much between old Ultegra and new 105 due to the passing down of technology.
  • careful
    careful Posts: 720
    I have the old 5600 105s on one bike and the Ultegra 6700 on the other. I agree with comments already made about reduced shifter movement and more comfortable hoods, but these are very small improvements imo and I wouldnt change until the old ones are worn out. There are some advantages in the old ones:
      easier to change inner cables and much easier to replace outers straighter cable run so the effects of lack of lubrication and worn cables arent so great somewhere hang out your spare socks to dry when you are touring.
  • MaxwellBygraves
    MaxwellBygraves Posts: 1,353
    The answer you're looking for is SRAM :wink:
    "That's it! You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college! " - Homer
  • nicholasj
    nicholasj Posts: 100
    Cheers guess - first post was a bit vague - I'm looking to upgrade from my old Tarmac with Ultegra to a new Tarmac SL2 with 105 - I'm assuming the trickle down effect will make it almost on par. And the newer stiffer frame will also be a factor
  • richardspooner
    richardspooner Posts: 76
    MaxwellBygraves wrote:
    The answer you're looking for is SRAM :wink:

    Yeah brilliant. Lovely when the levers work but rubbish when they wear out and the levers shred themselves because it is one spring and one lever doing all the work.

    Not repairable and eye wateringly expensive to replace when they only average 3000-4000ish miles before they break. Happened to me on two Rival and one Force rear lever.

    Ultegra levers have breezed past 5000 miles and have had nothing more than some spray lube in them twice.
  • antfly
    antfly Posts: 3,276
    I don't know about the latest 105 but they used to break a lot, they had a weakness somewhere. Those that know say the old Ultegras are the best, even better than the new ultegras.
    Smarter than the average bear.
  • MaxwellBygraves
    MaxwellBygraves Posts: 1,353
    richardspooner wrote:
    MaxwellBygraves wrote:
    The answer you're looking for is SRAM :wink:

    Yeah brilliant. Lovely when the levers work but rubbish when they wear out and the levers shred themselves because it is one spring and one lever doing all the work.

    Not repairable and eye wateringly expensive to replace when they only average 3000-4000ish miles before they break. Happened to me on two Rival and one Force rear lever.

    Ultegra levers have breezed past 5000 miles and have had nothing more than some spray lube in them twice.
    Post was tongue in cheek, hence the smiley :roll:
    "That's it! You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college! " - Homer
  • richardspooner
    richardspooner Posts: 76
    MaxwellBygraves wrote:
    richardspooner wrote:
    MaxwellBygraves wrote:
    The answer you're looking for is SRAM :wink:

    Yeah brilliant. Lovely when the levers work but rubbish when they wear out and the levers shred themselves because it is one spring and one lever doing all the work.

    Not repairable and eye wateringly expensive to replace when they only average 3000-4000ish miles before they break. Happened to me on two Rival and one Force rear lever.

    Ultegra levers have breezed past 5000 miles and have had nothing more than some spray lube in them twice.
    Post was tongue in cheek, hence the smiley :roll:

    Aaah ignore me, I was having a moan!! Not a pop at your good self. I saw the word SRAM mentioned in terms of road bikes and had my usual knee jerk reaction!!
  • amnesia
    amnesia Posts: 118
    nicholasj wrote:
    Cheers guess - first post was a bit vague - I'm looking to upgrade from my old Tarmac with Ultegra to a new Tarmac SL2 with 105 - I'm assuming the trickle down effect will make it almost on par. And the newer stiffer frame will also be a factor

    The review of the 5700 105 on here was promising. I am looking at the SL2 Tarmac Comp too.. probably going to put a deposit down tomorrow.

    TBH I would prefer SRAM Force :oops: as I like the double tap and haven't had any failures on my last bike with Rival.

    I don't like the look of Ultegra... the silver doesn't look right on a number of frames I have looked at and whilst I prefer double tap, the 2011 105 gruppo worked flawlessly on my test ride.
    2013 Focus Izalco Pro 2.0 UDi2
    1999 Sunn Vertik II MTB - old skool !
  • MaxwellBygraves
    MaxwellBygraves Posts: 1,353
    richardspooner wrote:
    MaxwellBygraves wrote:
    richardspooner wrote:
    MaxwellBygraves wrote:
    The answer you're looking for is SRAM :wink:

    Yeah brilliant. Lovely when the levers work but rubbish when they wear out and the levers shred themselves because it is one spring and one lever doing all the work.

    Not repairable and eye wateringly expensive to replace when they only average 3000-4000ish miles before they break. Happened to me on two Rival and one Force rear lever.

    Ultegra levers have breezed past 5000 miles and have had nothing more than some spray lube in them twice.
    Post was tongue in cheek, hence the smiley :roll:

    Aaah ignore me, I was having a moan!! Not a pop at your good self. I saw the word SRAM mentioned in terms of road bikes and had my usual knee jerk reaction!!

    Not to worry mate :)

    To the OP, in the latest C+ there is a review of mid-range groupset test.
    105 vs. Centaur vs. Apex. Might be worth a read.
    "That's it! You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college! " - Homer
  • nicholasj
    nicholasj Posts: 100
    amnesia wrote:
    nicholasj wrote:
    Cheers guess - first post was a bit vague - I'm looking to upgrade from my old Tarmac with Ultegra to a new Tarmac SL2 with 105 - I'm assuming the trickle down effect will make it almost on par. And the newer stiffer frame will also be a factor

    The review of the 5700 105 on here was promising. I am looking at the SL2 Tarmac Comp too.. probably going to put a deposit down tomorrow.

    TBH I would prefer SRAM Force :oops: as I like the double tap and haven't had any failures on my last bike with Rival.

    I don't like the look of Ultegra... the silver doesn't look right on a number of frames I have looked at and whilst I prefer double tap, the 2011 105 gruppo worked flawlessly on my test ride.

    Ah nice, yet to take an SL2 for z decent ride - but if you do get one I would love Jo hear your thoughts on it!!
  • amnesia
    amnesia Posts: 118
    nicholasj wrote:
    amnesia wrote:
    nicholasj wrote:
    Cheers guess - first post was a bit vague - I'm looking to upgrade from my old Tarmac with Ultegra to a new Tarmac SL2 with 105 - I'm assuming the trickle down effect will make it almost on par. And the newer stiffer frame will also be a factor

    The review of the 5700 105 on here was promising. I am looking at the SL2 Tarmac Comp too.. probably going to put a deposit down tomorrow.

    TBH I would prefer SRAM Force :oops: as I like the double tap and haven't had any failures on my last bike with Rival.

    I don't like the look of Ultegra... the silver doesn't look right on a number of frames I have looked at and whilst I prefer double tap, the 2011 105 gruppo worked flawlessly on my test ride.

    Ah nice, yet to take an SL2 for z decent ride - but if you do get one I would love Jo hear your thoughts on it!!

    Will do... given up on my LBS being able to get hold of the Kuota I want before Easter and I am itching to get back on a bike... the Spesh is the second choice so will probably go for that tomorrow.

    :D
    2013 Focus Izalco Pro 2.0 UDi2
    1999 Sunn Vertik II MTB - old skool !
  • richardspooner
    richardspooner Posts: 76
    MaxwellBygraves wrote:

    To the OP, in the latest C+ there is a review of mid-range groupset test.
    105 vs. Centaur vs. Apex. Might be worth a read.

    Yeah read that the other day. AND Having just had a quick test blast on a new bike with some new 105 levers on (not sure if they were the new NEW groupo), I can say that they are a real match for the Ultegra levers and mech I was using three or so years ago.

    If I was shopping about for new groupset components I would be looking to the 105 stuff now first and foremost. The costs Vs. performance gains have really improved with the trickle down from Ultegra the last two years or so.

    To make a constructive comment and not moan!

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