Shimano 105 or Ultegra

[MauiRockHopper]

I've narrowed my choices down to these 2, although everyone seems to say Ultegra is way better. Is it really worth the extra money for Ultegra? I don't plan to race, will ride for fitness, most rides are 20-30 miles, 5 times/week. Some hills.

[celerystalksme]

I've narrowed my choices down to these 2, although everyone seems to say Ultegra is way better. Is it really worth the extra money for Ultegra? I don't plan to race, will ride for fitness, most rides are 20-30 miles, 5 times/week. Some hills.

105 is durable enough...and functions just fine! sure, ultegra is lighter...but you don't need to shave a few grams unless you're going to race. some people say ultegra is smoother than 105...i can't feel a great deal of difference...and besides, some people prefer SRAM and Campy, which are much more chunky/louder/organic than shimano components...so "smoothness" means nothing aside from personal preference...

go with the 105 unless you have the extra cash and feel like treating yourself to a luxury! :)

[Becky]

IMO, they're both good component groups. 105 is good bang for the buck. I wouldn't go into major debt just to have Ultegra...

DH has 105 on his carbon "go fast" bike, and has never complained about it. I have Ultegra and love it, but I got a really good deal on the parts. If I had been paying full price, I probably would not have spent the extra for Ultegra and stuck with 105 instead. Just my $0.02....

[VeloVT]

I have a 105 bike and an Ultegra bike. The shifting in the rear is about the same. The Ultegra front derailleur/shifter are superior, in my opinion. It shifts with a lighter touch (which is nice if you have smallish hands, you don't have to shove the shifter over as far to shift up into the big ring), it has the ability to trim the derailleur through half-shifts, which is nice (though newer 105 may have this? my 2005 105 doesn't). It also just seems to shift a bit more precisely and hold a tune better.

I have also heard that Ultegra brakes are vastly better than 105 brakes. My bike with 105 has canti brakes, not caliper brakes (it's a cyclocross bike), so I can't really speak to that, but maybe someone else here can.

Edit: reading over this, I realize it could sound like I'm coming down harder on 105 than I really mean to. I think 105 is very reliable -- there are just one or two aspects of my Ultegra components I like just a teeny bit better. But I think 105 is a respectable choice and I'm actually glad I have it, rather than Ultegra, on my commute bike, which sometimes gets ridden in icky weather.

[MauiRockHopper]

Some forums and reviews say the 105 broke after 7 months. I'm pretty rough on my gear, but so far I haven't killed my 2001 mountain bike w/ has Shimano--probably bottom of the barrel components.

[Aggie_Ama]

I ride the 2006 version of 105 with an Ultegra rear, keep everything lubed and tuned and she shifts like a dream. I have over 5,000 miles on my bike right now and have only had a basic tune up and a routine bottom bracket service. My husband rides 2004 Dura Ace and said he thinks my 105 shifts *almost* as crisply. Save the money for spoiling yourself with new bike clothes unless you are hung up on labels. In my mind it is like spending less on a Toyota instead of Lexus. There are perks to the pricey one but the other is still a nice ride you will enjoy. :D

[GLC1968]

My last road bike was a 2006 Specialized with all 105 (10-speed). After riding it for a year, I sold it to a friend and bought a 2005 Terry that is all Ultegra (9-speed). I swore I'd never go back. The Ultegra is significantly nicer in my book. It's smoother shifting and it stays tuned. I was constantly having to adjust (and have adjusted) my 105 bike but this one still shifts like silk 2 years later! I'm pretty hard on my stuff, and the Ultegra is holding up very, very well.

I don't know if there is a something about the 9-speed and the 10-speed groups that might be part of the difference, but in my limited experience, Ultegra was well worth the upgrade.

I'm thinking of building up my next bike and I'd like to do it with 9-speed Ultegra again if I can. It works for me, so I want to stick with it. That said, I agree that there is no point in going into debt to upgrade. There are many, many people out there who are perfectly happy with 105 components! In fact, until I got my Ultegra bike - I didn't know any better and was happy with the 105. (Now I've been spoiled which is why I hope to never ride Dura Ace ;)).

[Aggie_Ama]

I can't lie, I have the perk of working right next door to my LBS and often if it is a tiny deraileur adjustment it is free. Even so I believe the deraileurs have only been adjusted 2-3 times in 5,000. According to the mechanics I am a "soft pedaler" (as opposed to a masher I guess), don't know if they makes a difference. I didn't even need a new chain until about 4,500 miles. And the cassette looked practically new at that time.

[milkbone]

I ride with the Ultegra and haven't had a problem yet...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I have an Ultegra bike and a 105 bike- both are nine speeds. The 105 has 5000 miles on it, works great, seldom needs tuning. 1000 miles on the Ultegra so far, great as well.
Next bike will likely be Ultegra, simply 'because I can'. But there is nothing bad I can say about my 105- it's great too, and very dependable. Frankly, I don't notice a big difference between the two.
I've read that there is a bigger difference/jump in performance and quality between Tiagra and 105 than there is between 105 and Ultegra.

[aicabsolut]

105 is definitely more durable than that. 105 cassettes and chains are very durable. So are Ultegra. Once you get to DA for those, then you are mostly spending the money on weight savings.

DA cables, on the other hand, are much thicker and last a lot longer. But I digress..

I have experience with 105 and Ultegra brakes, rear drivetrains, front derailleurs, and shifters (not chains and cranksets, personally). I hate 105 brakes. Hate them. As soon as I can justify the upgrade, Ultegra SL or DA is replacing those calipers.

Shifting is better with Ultegra, particularly in the front. Much better. The only down side to my Ultegra FD is that with my compact crankset and the narrower design of the cage, I have to really get the FD position just right to minimize chain rub. It really makes me long for DA shifters with their better trimming than my 105 shifters. Which brings me to shifters. The higher up you go, the more crisply they shift with less effort. The throw is a bit shorter and easier. That can make a big difference. For example, I cannot shift into the big ring from the drops, because I have to put such force into the shift that I wind up swerving from putting that sideways pressure on the levers from that hand position. That is a big pain in my *** when I'm in a criterium with a little ring hill thrown in the middle, because I can't just stay in the drops. That may matter less to you if you don't race, but it is still obnoxious.

I'd say even making your setup partially Ultegra is worth the money. I have a mix of 105, Ultegra, and FSA on my bike (with a KMC chain), and I only complain about my 105 components. Except for my old 105 cassette. That thing lasted forever and did a fantastic job. I expect the Ultegra cassette I just put on to perform well also, but so far, there's no appreciable difference aside from a few grams.

[Becky]

I've read that there is a bigger difference/jump in performance and quality between Tiagra and 105 than there is between 105 and Ultegra.

I definitely agree with that statement, having ridden and worked on all 3.

[OakLeaf]

Are you getting a pre-built bike or building it up yourself? I believe most WSD bikes with 105 come with the short-reach brifters which are Ultegra grade, yes?

I'm getting ready to replace my 105 chain and cassette after about 3800, and was wondering whether there was any difference besides the weight... so this is helpful to me too!

[aicabsolut]

I definitely agree with that statement, having ridden and worked on all 3.

+1

I tried to tune up a friend's 9 spd Tiagra bike and eventually, I just gave up and said he'd be riding an 8 speed (I could not get the thing to shift into the smallest cog no matter what I did). I did make some big improvements, but ugh, if I had to deal with Tiagra or Sora on a regular basis, I would be very frustrated. 105 is amazing in comparison.

[Aggie_Ama]

+1
I did make some big improvements, but ugh, if I had to deal with Tiagra or Sora on a regular basis, I would be very frustrated. 105 is amazing in comparison.

+1

My old bike had Sora and it wasn't terrible but I definitely didn't stay tuned well and was a sluggish shift. My commuter has Tiagra and that bike is even worse than my old Sora. It drives me batty but it is just my commuter.

My thought, the type of riding the OP is going to be doing 105 would serve her well. I have 105/Ultegra mix and it is great for me. I did upgrade to an Ultegra Cassette and chain but not for any reason, the shop carried a 12-27 in Ultegra for the Cassette and the chain, they had Ultegra or Dura Ace. ;)

[MauiRockHopper]

I ride the 2006 version of 105 with an Ultegra rear, keep everything lubed and tuned and she shifts like a dream. I have over 5,000 miles on my bike right now and have only had a basic tune up and a routine bottom bracket service. My husband rides 2004 Dura Ace and said he thinks my 105 shifts *almost* as crisply. Save the money for spoiling yourself with new bike clothes unless you are hung up on labels. In my mind it is like spending less on a Toyota instead of Lexus. There are perks to the pricey one but the other is still a nice ride you will enjoy. :D

Thanks for posting, I drive a Toyota Matrix too even though my "dream" car would be the Lexus SUV. The Matrix is way more practical (30mpg, plastic cargo floors). Owning a Lexus is just for the image or status symbol. I guess the same theory on bikes :D

[ttaylor508]

I swapped out my FSA for Ultegra on my Ruby Expert and noticed a huge difference in the smoothness of the shifting. I had 105 on my Giant OCR 1 and it shifted nice, but I really think the Ultegra shifts better and is quiet.