Upgrading from Tiagra to Ultegra

Churchill123
Churchill123 Posts: 341
edited April 2014 in Workshop
Currently running Tiagra with 105 shifters, wanting to upgrade everything to Ultegra...

1 - Will i notice a big difference/worth spending the money?
2- How difficult is it do so?
3 - Could i just replace say the chain set and rear derailleur?

Comments

  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    1. If they're 5700 shifters and you're planning on replacing with 6700 shifters you will notice no difference - I did this myself when there was an offer on the x700 shifters and needed the 5700 shifters for my wifes bike.

    2. It's time consuming more than difficult.

    3. Yes - but I don't think you'll notice the difference in use - although you should do in looks ... and that's a good a reason as any! ;)
  • ai_1
    ai_1 Posts: 3,060
    If you mean Ultegra 6700 then I don't see the point really. You'll save a small amount of weight and it'll look a little different but that's about it. Functionally there's not a lot of difference.
    If you mean Ultegra 6800 then:
    1. You'll probably notice a difference. Worth the money? Only you can decide - I wouldn't bother
    2. Dunno
    3. Not for 6800 as it's an 11 speed system so will need 11 speed levers for compatibility with the rear derailleur

    I haven't tried 6800 yet but supposedly it's very smooth shifting and has great brakes plus there's the extra sprocket if that's something you'll want to have. However it's a groupset not an engine. Unless I had a specific problem with my current groupset or the groupset was a mismatch with a superb frame and wheels, I wouldn't see much reason to change. I'd put the money towards my next bike, better wheels or the like instead.
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    Slowbike wrote:
    1. If they're 5700 shifters and you're planning on replacing with 6700 shifters you will notice no difference - I did this myself when there was an offer on the x700 shifters and needed the 5700 shifters for my wifes bike.

    I disagree. I've recently gone from 5700 shifters to 6700. The shifting is marginally improved, and the braking from the drops is the same. However the difference is in braking from the hoods, you can brake just as effectively as you could from the drops on the 5700.
  • Jon_1976
    Jon_1976 Posts: 690
    I went from Tiagra 4600 to Ultegra 6800.
    1. Not a massive difference. Rear shifting seems a tad crisper/sharper and theres a bit of weight loss. Front shifting and braking are noticeably better/nice to use. Think I paid about £300 for the whole group after selling my 4600 parts. For me, I don't regret buying it all.

    2. As said, not difficult. The hardest things (for me) were deciding the best angle for the shifters and then getting them level with each other (bars have no marking on them). Also I forgot to order an inline adjuster so getting the right tension on the front mech cable took a bit of faffing.

    3. If you're talking about Ultegra 6700, then the chainset and rear mech would go on fine. Iirc a 6800 chain set would be fine with a 10 speed chain too. Theres a nice weight reduction as the crank arms are hollow, as opposed to solid on Tiagra. Not sure its worth £130 odd though just to change the chain set (unless your current one is knackered or you want a full matching group)
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    Jon_1976 wrote:
    . Iirc a 6800 chain set would be fine with a 10 speed chain too


    Can confirm as I run a 6800 chainset with otherwise 6700 10 speed setup.
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    markhewitt1978 wrote:
    Slowbike wrote:
    1. If they're 5700 shifters and you're planning on replacing with 6700 shifters you will notice no difference - I did this myself when there was an offer on the x700 shifters and needed the 5700 shifters for my wifes bike.

    I disagree. I've recently gone from 5700 shifters to 6700. The shifting is marginally improved, and the braking from the drops is the same. However the difference is in braking from the hoods, you can brake just as effectively as you could from the drops on the 5700.

    Ok - perhaps I should've said "marginal difference" ... but for me the margin was so marginal that in effect there was no difference. Perhaps I'm just insensitive ;)
  • Churchill123
    Churchill123 Posts: 341
    functionally nothing wrong, the tiagra brakes aren't amazing.. i think a lot of it comes down to aesthetics :S

    next purchase will be some hand builts, but thought i'd see if it were worth putting some extra money into some shinny ultegra.

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