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Rear hubs: 105 vs. Ultegra

UndercoverElephantUndercoverElephant Posts: 5,796
edited August 2013 in Commuting chat
Right, I have a load of vouchers to spend, and given that my winter rear wheel sounds like a bag of spanners, I see it as a perfect time to build up a replacement. I've spent some Halfords vouchers on a Ryde* "Jump" road rim, looks veeeery similar to an Open Pro only cheaper, I think I can make do with some spokes off the old wheel so now we're up to the hub.

Basically, this will be an all-weather, fast-as-chuff commuting wheel, so obviously longevity and performance are equally important. I could get either a 105 or Ultegra hub, the prices aren't too far from one another, but really, is there much difference?

* Ryde, the new name for Rigida now that Sapim own them.
Sun - Rain - Snow
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  • pitchshifterpitchshifter Posts: 1,476
    Probably only difference is weight. My 105 hubs have been brilliant through all weathers, just had it serviced and runs like new.
  • raymondo60raymondo60 Posts: 735
    Obviously Ultegra is 'better' than 105, or so we are led to believe, but I've been running 105 hubs on my DTSwiss commuting wheels for over 2 years now, through all weather conditions, and they've been absolutely superb and still run as smooth as new - ain't done nothing to them!
    Raymondo

    "Let's just all be really careful out there folks!"
  • First.AspectFirst.Aspect Posts: 5,451
    They have the same internals as each other. So go 105.
  • UndercoverElephantUndercoverElephant Posts: 5,796
    First Aspect wrote:
    They have the same internals as each other. So go 105.

    This may well be true, but one of them says "Ultegra" on it...
    Sun - Rain - Snow
  • First.AspectFirst.Aspect Posts: 5,451
    UndercoverElephant wrote:
    First Aspect wrote:
    They have the same internals as each other. So go 105.

    This may well be true, but one of them says "Ultegra" on it...
    Tip-ex?
  • walkingbootweatherwalkingbootweather Posts: 2,443
    First Aspect wrote:
    UndercoverElephant wrote:
    First Aspect wrote:
    They have the same internals as each other. So go 105.

    This may well be true, but one of them says "Ultegra" on it...
    Tip-ex?

    If you are going to get the tip-ex out you might want to write Super Record :wink:

    In my experience 105's will be plenty good enough. Not sure I'd pay a premium to have Ultegra.
    Nobody told me we had a communication problem
  • asprillaasprilla Posts: 8,440
    You can get 5600 105 hub sets for peanuts, it's not worth paying the extra for 5700, 6600 or 6700.
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
  • raymondo60raymondo60 Posts: 735
    walkingbootweather wrote:
    First Aspect wrote:
    UndercoverElephant wrote:
    First Aspect wrote:
    They have the same internals as each other. So go 105.

    This may well be true, but one of them says "Ultegra" on it...
    Tip-ex?

    If you are going to get the tip-ex out you might want to write Super Record :wink: .


    I would write Dura-Ace Di2 :D
    Raymondo

    "Let's just all be really careful out there folks!"
  • DonDaddyDDonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    The logic ladder:

    There is a lot of different betwen Ultegra and Tiagra but only marginal difference between 105 and Ultegra and 105 and Tiagra. So you may as well go for Tiagra.

    Also if you go with Tiagra you can associate your bike with being a tiger "roar" [yep I really did just do that]. Alternatively if you go with Ultegra people will associate it with being the Ultimate something or other. 105 sounds like a bus or the price of the damn thing.

    So goes the societal bike riders logic.
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • SteppenHerringSteppenHerring Posts: 720
    asprilla wrote:
    You can get 5600 105 hub sets for peanuts,...
    I don't think he needs that many.
    mroli wrote:
    (Michel) Roux has the scary eyes of an inner Begbie...
  • SketchleySketchley Posts: 4,235
    I run Ultegra hub on both bike bike they roll very nice.

    Bargain tastic http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... himhubr330
    --
    Chris

    Genesis Equilibrium - FCN 3/4/5
  • UndercoverElephantUndercoverElephant Posts: 5,796
    SteppenHerring wrote:
    asprilla wrote:
    You can get 5600 105 hub sets for peanuts,...
    I don't think he needs that many.

    N+1 is a harsh mistress...

    Logic is definitely saying 105, though for the sake of £20, Ultegra does say Ultegra on it. This wheel is to replace a Tiagra hub based wheel which died after 11,000 miles of hellish abuse. Hopefully the higher groups will have better seals meaning that they last even longer.
    Sun - Rain - Snow
  • walkingbootweatherwalkingbootweather Posts: 2,443
    Is this for your Equilibrium? If you want longevity could you not bend the frame a bit and squeeze in some xt hubs? Think you can widen slightly but can't go back again afterwards.
    Nobody told me we had a communication problem
  • UndercoverElephantUndercoverElephant Posts: 5,796
    walkingbootweather wrote:
    Is this for your Equilibrium? If you want longevity could you not bend the frame a bit and squeeze in some xt hubs? Think you can widen slightly but can't go back again afterwards.

    Good grief! What? Mutilate my beautiful Equilibrium just to stick some filthy mountain bike wheel?

    The very idea! :evil:
    Sun - Rain - Snow
  • SteppenHerringSteppenHerring Posts: 720
    UndercoverElephant wrote:
    SteppenHerring wrote:
    asprilla wrote:
    You can get 5600 105 hub sets for peanuts,...
    I don't think he needs that many.

    N+1 is a harsh mistress...
    You know who had a massive collection of bicycles? That's right - Jimmy Savile. Makes you think.

    Note to self: get a bigger garage. And some puppies.
    mroli wrote:
    (Michel) Roux has the scary eyes of an inner Begbie...
  • asprillaasprilla Posts: 8,440
    Was it Planet X that bought a load of Saville's bikes at auction?
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
  • SketchleySketchley Posts: 4,235
    asprilla wrote:
    Was it Planet X that bought a load of Saville's bikes at auction?

    Iirc they brought the whole collection so it wouldn't get broken up, they were going to display in the showroom.....

    Edit http://road.cc/content/news/62676-plane ... es-auction
    --
    Chris

    Genesis Equilibrium - FCN 3/4/5
  • UndercoverElephantUndercoverElephant Posts: 5,796
    UndercoverElephant wrote:
    walkingbootweather wrote:
    Is this for your Equilibrium? If you want longevity could you not bend the frame a bit and squeeze in some xt hubs? Think you can widen slightly but can't go back again afterwards.

    Good grief! What? Mutilate my beautiful Equilibrium just to stick some filthy mountain bike wheel?

    The very idea! :evil:

    Well, this suggestion so horrified me that I decided that my poor maligned Equilibrium deserved cheering up (not that I told her what that beast, WBW, said). As such I plumped for the Ultegra, as was likely all along.

    The recurring theme around the internets was that they're pretty similar, but Ultegra apparently has better sealing. Given the all weather nature of my commute, the more the better. Plus it saves me having an upgrade itch later, so it saves me money, really...
    Sun - Rain - Snow
  • walkingbootweatherwalkingbootweather Posts: 2,443
    Can't fault your logic.

    I can understand the attraction of something that looks pretty and goes well, but for the long term I like a study frame, low maintenance, something that won't let me down and not something that all my friends want to ride. It's a bit like bikes really......
    Nobody told me we had a communication problem
  • ugo.santaluciaugo.santalucia Posts: 25,711
    There is virtually no difference. I suspect (but I have no evidence) that Shimano use a better grade balls for the Ultegra, which would explain the marginally better feel they have. The seals are marginally better too, but overall the price difference is hard to justify. That said, you can buy Ultegra hubs for under 100 pounds these days and they are still a damn good buy, compared to the silly price of some boutique products like Chris King, White Industries, Tune and DT Swiss
    http://whosatthewheel.com
  • HeadhuunterHeadhuunter Posts: 6,494
    Just make sure you regrease the internals regularly. Just about every wheelset I have had - RS80s, Tiagra hubbed Open Sport, Shimano WHR550 etc etc have had hub problems. The grease always seems to disappear and the cones end up pitted and damaged... Always. I don't know what it is I do but it's nigh on impossible to get replacement cones, I think manufacturers expect you to thrown away the entire wheel once you have trashed this tiny piece of metal
    Do not write below this line. Office use only.
  • UndercoverElephantUndercoverElephant Posts: 5,796
    Headhuunter wrote:
    Just make sure you regrease the internals regularly. Just about every wheelset I have had - RS80s, Tiagra hubbed Open Sport, Shimano WHR550 etc etc have had hub problems. The grease always seems to disappear and the cones end up pitted and damaged... Always. I don't know what it is I do but it's nigh on impossible to get replacement cones, I think manufacturers expect you to thrown away the entire wheel once you have trashed this tiny piece of metal

    This is excellent advice, and almost exactly the opposite of what I did with the last wheel - hence the replacement. :oops:
    Sun - Rain - Snow
  • rolf_frolf_f Posts: 16,015
    UndercoverElephant wrote:
    First Aspect wrote:
    They have the same internals as each other. So go 105.

    This may well be true, but one of them says "Ultegra" on it...

    You must be really slow if you can read the hub script whilst riding the bike :lol:
    Faster than a tent.......
  • rjsterryrjsterry Posts: 18,969
    UndercoverElephant wrote:
    Headhuunter wrote:
    Just make sure you regrease the internals regularly. Just about every wheelset I have had - RS80s, Tiagra hubbed Open Sport, Shimano WHR550 etc etc have had hub problems. The grease always seems to disappear and the cones end up pitted and damaged... Always. I don't know what it is I do but it's nigh on impossible to get replacement cones, I think manufacturers expect you to thrown away the entire wheel once you have trashed this tiny piece of metal

    This is excellent advice, and almost exactly the opposite of what I did with the last wheel - hence the replacement. :oops:
    + a rather embarrassed 1.
    1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
    Pinnacle Monzonite

    Liberal metropolitan, remoaner, traitor, "sympathiser", etc.
  • dilemnadilemna Posts: 2,187
    UndercoverElephant wrote:
    Right, I have a load of vouchers to spend, and given that my winter rear wheel sounds like a bag of spanners, I see it as a perfect time to build up a replacement. I've spent some Halfords vouchers on a Ryde* "Jump" road rim, looks veeeery similar to an Open Pro only cheaper, I think I can make do with some spokes off the old wheel so now we're up to the hub.

    Basically, this will be an all-weather, fast-as-chuff commuting wheel, so obviously longevity and performance are equally important. I could get either a 105 or Ultegra hub, the prices aren't too far from one another, but really, is there much difference?

    * Ryde, the new name for Rigida now that Sapim own them.


    :lol:

    New rim, new Ultegra hub, crappy old high mileage spokes. This will make a nice strong durable wheel that rides really nicely, not. Go for a totally new hand built wheel with new spokes. It's like buying a new car and putting the old tyres on it from your old car you are chopping in .........
    Life is like a roll of toilet paper; long and useful, but always ends at the wrong moment. Anon.
    Think how stupid the average person is.......
    half of them are even more stupid than you first thought.
  • dilemnadilemna Posts: 2,187
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    There is virtually no difference. I suspect (but I have no evidence) that Shimano use a better grade balls for the Ultegra, which would explain the marginally better feel they have. The seals are marginally better too, but overall the price difference is hard to justify. That said, you can buy Ultegra hubs for under 100 pounds these days and they are still a damn good buy, compared to the silly price of some boutique products like Chris King, White Industries, Tune and DT Swiss


    Hope hubs?
    Life is like a roll of toilet paper; long and useful, but always ends at the wrong moment. Anon.
    Think how stupid the average person is.......
    half of them are even more stupid than you first thought.
  • UndercoverElephantUndercoverElephant Posts: 5,796
    dilemna wrote:
    UndercoverElephant wrote:
    Right, I have a load of vouchers to spend, and given that my winter rear wheel sounds like a bag of spanners, I see it as a perfect time to build up a replacement. I've spent some Halfords vouchers on a Ryde* "Jump" road rim, looks veeeery similar to an Open Pro only cheaper, I think I can make do with some spokes off the old wheel so now we're up to the hub.

    Basically, this will be an all-weather, fast-as-chuff commuting wheel, so obviously longevity and performance are equally important. I could get either a 105 or Ultegra hub, the prices aren't too far from one another, but really, is there much difference?

    * Ryde, the new name for Rigida now that Sapim own them.


    :lol:

    New rim, new Ultegra hub, crappy old high mileage spokes. This will make a nice strong durable wheel that rides really nicely, not. Go for a totally new hand built wheel with new spokes. It's like buying a new car and putting the old tyres on it from your old car you are chopping in .........

    Nah, already have Sapim Race spokes of the correct size on the old wheel. Good, stainless steel spokes will generally last forever if they're built with correctly.
    Sun - Rain - Snow
  • UndercoverElephantUndercoverElephant Posts: 5,796
    dilemna wrote:
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    There is virtually no difference. I suspect (but I have no evidence) that Shimano use a better grade balls for the Ultegra, which would explain the marginally better feel they have. The seals are marginally better too, but overall the price difference is hard to justify. That said, you can buy Ultegra hubs for under 100 pounds these days and they are still a damn good buy, compared to the silly price of some boutique products like Chris King, White Industries, Tune and DT Swiss


    Hope hubs?

    A Hope hub would have been double the price of the Ultegra, which while not in the same league as some of the above, is still a big leap. Much as I did fancy them, I couldn't justify that for a winter wheel.
    Sun - Rain - Snow
  • cyclingpropcyclingprop Posts: 2,426
    UndercoverElephant wrote:
    dilemna wrote:
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    There is virtually no difference. I suspect (but I have no evidence) that Shimano use a better grade balls for the Ultegra, which would explain the marginally better feel they have. The seals are marginally better too, but overall the price difference is hard to justify. That said, you can buy Ultegra hubs for under 100 pounds these days and they are still a damn good buy, compared to the silly price of some boutique products like Chris King, White Industries, Tune and DT Swiss


    Hope hubs?

    A Hope hub would have been double the price of the Ultegra, which while not in the same league as some of the above, is still a big leap. Much as I did fancy them, I couldn't justify that for a winter wheel.

    They're lovely on my summer wheels. AND, when I freewheel past you down hill, you know about it!
    What do you mean you think 64cm is a big frame?
  • UndercoverElephantUndercoverElephant Posts: 5,796
    cyclingprop wrote:
    They're lovely on my summer wheels. AND, when I freewheel past you down hill, you know about it!

    Yes, but with the Shimano freewheel, when I re-take you on the flat or uphill, you won't know until it's too late ;)
    Sun - Rain - Snow
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