SRAM Force or Ultegra?

FSR_XC

I'm looking at a new bike. Decided on everything but the group set.

I am swaying towards the SRAM Force 22 (weight, & looks), but having used Shimano (105 - 5600) for the last 4 years, I can't help thinking Ultegra 6800 might be a better choice.

I realise this has probably been asked before (but couldn't see it in a quick search) and there are going to be a lot of people suggesting the group they have, but has anyone got any thoughts on which is best and why?

Flâneur

try the sram and see if you like the shifting, I enjoy using both, some people cant stand it. I prefer the sram shifting once I got used to the half push, it just feels faster. I wouldn't say that the the performance of group set over my 105 bike improved my cycling

diamonddog

sa0u823e wrote:

try the sram and see if you like the shifting, I enjoy using both, some people cant stand it. I prefer the sram shifting once I got used to the half push, it just feels faster. I wouldn't say that the the performance of group set over my 105 bike improved my cycling

^^This, I prefer SRAM shifting but IMO overall one groupset is no better than the other.

matt-h

madasahattersley wrote:

I've been impressed with the new SRAM 22 stuff, but absolutely blown away by the Shimano 6800/9000 for the following reasons:

-Braking performance is incredible, possible even unmatched
-Shifter ergonomics are improved over 6700/7900
-The shifting is lighter than anything else out there by a long way (thanks to new polymer cables and other design changes)
-It looks good (particularly 9000)
-The front derailleur / shifting makes ever other front shifting mechanism feel like it comes from the dark ages.

I once said I'd always be a SRAM fanboy but having worked with the new Shimano stuff I wouldn't have to think twice now, Shimano every time (despite SRAM being very very good).

The difference between your 5700 and new 6800 will be poles apart

Agree with all of this!
Just changed from 5700 to 6800 and it is immense!

Matt

FSR_XC

Cheers for the quick responses.

my 105 is 5600 btw.

Looks like I need to persuade a LBS to let me try a bike with each group set.

On a slightly different note, do you need a different hub for 11 speed cassettes?