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CAAD 12 105 or Ultegra

knightlore21knightlore21 Posts: 44
edited May 2016 in Road buying advice
Hi - can get a 105 for £1200 or an Ultegra version (with slightly better wheels and crankset) for £1550 - Am edging towards the 105 version but is Ultegra version worth £350 more ?

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  • bendertherobotbendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    Not just that, the chainset is, whilst not considerably better, considerably prettier (and very expensive). The wheels aren't that much better, but they are better.

    Here's the thing though. Brakes. Most listings have the 105 as having Tektro. Whether these are better or worse than 105 is questionable.

    My inclination is save the £350 and get £350 wheels for it. Or, given that you can get £125 for the wheels that are on there. Get £400 wheels and some nice new tyres.
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
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  • arlowoodarlowood Posts: 2,561
    Knightlore21 wrote:
    Hi - can get a 105 for £1200 or an Ultegra version (with slightly better wheels and crankset) for £1550 - Am edging towards the 105 version but is Ultegra version worth £350 more ?


    105 5800 is significantly better than the old 10-speed 5700 and much closer to Ultegra in performance. OK so 105 gives you a slight weight penalty but IMHO your £350 would be much better spent getting the 105 version and in time upgrading the wheels and tyres.
  • sloppyschleckondssloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    Isn't the Ultegra version red?

    Red bikes are faster.
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • knightlore21knightlore21 Posts: 44
    Yes it is Red - and to be fair I would rather not stand out any more than I do at 5ft 7 and 90kgs (mostly around mid section). Does look nice though......
  • gaffer_slowgaffer_slow Posts: 417
    for all the reasons censored gave, i disagree with him. get the ultegra/red
  • type:epyttype:epyt Posts: 766
    You'll end up regretting not getting the Spidering crankset and as you also get slightly better components/saddle as well the Ultegra version is a no brainer ...

    There is also a German website that sells the black Ultegra version and they seem to be open to dialogue on price ... Might be worth a look if you're not keen on the red version ...
    Life is unfair, kill yourself or get over it.
  • bendertherobotbendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    Thing is, you will want better wheels on the Red one anyway ;)

    So, if you're happy to put that upgrade off till later, get the Ultegra.
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
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  • germcevoygermcevoy Posts: 414
    You will want that Crankset immediately if you don't get it. Regret going for 105 Supersix Evo. Now looking at an expensive upgrade to get it now.
  • knightlore21knightlore21 Posts: 44
    Why is the crankset so much better than that on 105 version ?
  • gaffer_slowgaffer_slow Posts: 417
    lighter and prettier.
  • gaffer_slowgaffer_slow Posts: 417
    seriously, pedal on with their podium point system is hard to beat

    45 points with the caad 12 offered at the moment (12 extra than normal)

    you can get alot of value with some clever points decisions.

    http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/canno ... tegra.html
  • gaffer_slowgaffer_slow Posts: 417
    or go to epic cycles for their ''epic upgrade' - a very decent free wheel upgrade

    http://epic-cycles.co.uk/product/cannon ... 12-ultegra
  • bendertherobotbendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    Knightlore21 wrote:
    Why is the crankset so much better than that on 105 version ?

    As said lighter and prettier. But it's not so much better, just better overall.

    This 105 v Ultegra debate was a bit easier on the Supersix as there was quite a lot to justify the difference. Here there's a bit less overall so much depends on whether you want to future proof it now (in the context of feeling good about it) or want to get better wheels now.

    I have to see that neither the Aksium or Aksium S are anything other than great training wheels. But heavy(er) and not wide rims.

    Ultimately the best option is probably to get the Epic upgraded one to keep everyone happy. Inevitably it costs more
    http://epic-cycles.co.uk/product/cannon ... 12-ultegra
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • bendertherobotbendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    Spooky! gaffer fast it appears!
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • knightlore21knightlore21 Posts: 44
    The epic deal for standard Ultegra version @ £1400 looks interesting but was going to pay for £1000 of the cost using cycle to work voucher - wouldnt be able to do this via Epic website. As such, I am stuck with the needing £200 upfront or £550 upfront dilema. I think either of the stock wheeelsets will be better than what I am used to (Giant pr-2) so a wheel upgrade can wait. I guess ultimately it will come down to whether the crankset and component upgrade is worth £350 (and whether I can justify that to myself) oh and also whether I prefer the red paint job over the black/green....
  • gaffer_slowgaffer_slow Posts: 417
    http://epic-cycles.co.uk/cyclescheme
  • antonyfromozantonyfromoz Posts: 482
    Anyone had one stolen - this seems to fall in the "too good to be true" category to me: https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/cann ... 1166729167
  • MikeBrewMikeBrew Posts: 814
    antonyfromoz wrote:
    Anyone had one stolen - this seems to fall in the "too good to be true" category to me: https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/cann ... 1166729167

    Not necessarily when Epic cycles are offering that model at £1099 brandnew - a price that is probably negotiable to some extent.
    The bike in the ad looks reasonably well used, so it's not a give away by any means.
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