105 vs Dura-Ace

shinsplint
shinsplint Posts: 565
edited August 2012 in Road general
A strange comparison admittedly, but here we go.

My summer bike has full Dura Ace 7900 apart from the Cassette and chain (Ultegra). The winter bike runs full 105.

I got the winter bike out for a blast, and im amazed at how smooth and quiet it runs. There's nothing wrong with my Dura Ace kit, its just not as quiet. Given the price difference you'd expect it to be the opposite way round. Only reason I can think of is that Dura Ace is built with lightness as a priority, and the 105 is aimed at smoothness.

Its not to say that im uphappy with the Dura Ace, it runs very well and is totally reliable, and its well ahead of other stuff i've tried, i'm just surprised at how good the 105 drives.

I bought both bikes new, so I know how they've been looked after.

Anyone else running both groupsets? What are your thoughts?

Comments

  • shinsplint
    shinsplint Posts: 565
    I tell a lie, the chain on the 105 bike is an el cheapo KMC.
  • ShutUpLegs
    ShutUpLegs Posts: 3,522
    Shimano chains are noisy and not very smooth
  • nferrar
    nferrar Posts: 2,511
    I prefer the front shifting of my Ultegra 6600 on the winter bike vs DA 7900 on the summer bike, trim is a good thing IMO, was a step backwards to claim the front mech was redesigned well enough to avoid chain rub in any combo (at least it's not been possible to set it up that way myself or by my LBS). Otherwise it's much of a muchness, only thing I can tell the difference in is the hoods although I don't really prefer either.
  • unixnerd
    unixnerd Posts: 2,864
    If I were to make a confession I'd say that my old Sora triple front shifter was nicer than 105 or DA triples!
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  • mamba80
    mamba80 Posts: 5,032
    There is a load of stuff on various forums about how poor 7900 is compared to 7800 or Ultegra 6600.

    Personally, my ultegra 6600 sl does change just as well as the DA bike but they are different, the 7900 is more clunky and positive, its certainly more suseptable to setup, dont ever miss the FD trim, the 7900 just doesnt need it.
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    I cant tell the difference between my 7800 and 5600 :oops:
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  • raymondo60
    raymondo60 Posts: 735
    The Tiagra group set on my 'cheap' ally bike is as smooth as a......... what's the analogy again?
    Raymondo

    "Let's just all be really careful out there folks!"
  • thescouselander
    thescouselander Posts: 549
    ShinSplint wrote:
    I tell a lie, the chain on the 105 bike is an el cheapo KMC.


    There you go then - kmc chains are much better than shimano IMO. They tend to be quieter too.
  • Kingy 123
    Kingy 123 Posts: 41
    If you want to save weight then dura ace is the way to go but be warned.If you ride alot replacing the cassette chain rings and chain once a year is expensive.105 does the job perfectly well and alot cheaper.

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