Ultegra vs Dura Ace article

[roguedog]

Having some drive train issues and was looking into Ultegra or Dura Ace replacement parts and came across this article which I thought was nicely succinctly written and organized with nice pictures too.

Since I'm sure I'm not the only wondering if Dura Ace is worth it, here ya go.

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/features/dura-ace-ultegra.shtml

Note: this article refers to the older versions of these components, not the latest greatest. I found it useful since my drive train is older anyway and helps me decide if the diffs are worth more coins.

[nscrbug]

FWIW...I love my Ultegra (6700, so the newer stuff) components. If I had to pick one thing to really "gripe" about, it would be that my shifter levers are a little stiff which makes it a bit difficult to downshift in the small ring and upshift in the big ring. BUT...my hand strength isn't the best, so it could just be an issue that pertains to me. I have heard (from my LBS) that the Dura Ace shifters move a bit more freely than the Ultegra ones, so take that for what it's worth.

[OakLeaf]

That's handy, thanks.

Also FWIW (since I've got Ultegra-grade R700 short reach shifters with a 105 FD), it seems to me it's the long throw on the derailleur that makes shifting hard, not so much the force required. I've been told that the throw to shift a Dura-Ace FD is much shorter, but I don't know that personally.

[nscrbug]

Oakleaf....could you explain in more detail what you mean by "long" and "short" throw on the FD? I think I understand, but I want to make sure I'm really grasping the idea. Thanks!

Linda

[OakLeaf]

The distance the lever has to move.

It's only what I've been told about Dura-ace, but I do know that there's quite a long throw with my setup. With my small hands, I can do it, but I kind of have to pay extra attention to make sure I don't unintentionally steer when I'm just trying to shift.

[Becky]

Interesting article...thanks for sharing! I'd like to see a similar comparison of things like shifters, hubs, and such....

[Desert Tortoise]

Oakleaf, nscrbug: thanks for talking about "throw." I notice my steering gets wobbly when I shift from the small ring to big ring or vice versa. I thought it was one of those things like learning to look back without turning the handlebars and I just don't have the coordination for shifting easily. I do have small hands and the shifters are regular size, not small. The top part says Ultegra Flightdeck. Not sure what that means, never come across that.

Anyway, thanks!

[nscrbug]

The distance the lever has to move.

It's only what I've been told about Dura-ace, but I do know that there's quite a long throw with my setup. With my small hands, I can do it, but I kind of have to pay extra attention to make sure I don't unintentionally steer when I'm just trying to shift.

YES! THIS happens to me a LOT!!! I swear, for the longest time after I got my current bike (got it last May) I thought there was something wrong with my shifters. On my two previous bikes (one had 105 shifters, and the other had old Ultegra 6600), I never had such a difficult time shifting. The levers moved with ease and distance I had to move them felt shorter. But with this new Cannondale, it takes a whole lot more effort.

It's comforting to know that I'm not the only one that has this issue...and also comforting to know that there isn't anything wrong with my bike, it's just the way the levers are designed.

Thanks again, for the explanation!

[nscrbug]

Oakleaf, nscrbug: thanks for talking about "throw." I notice my steering gets wobbly when I shift from the small ring to big ring or vice versa. I thought it was one of those things like learning to look back without turning the handlebars and I just don't have the coordination for shifting easily. I do have small hands and the shifters are regular size, not small. The top part says Ultegra Flightdeck. Not sure what that means, never come across that.

Anyway, thanks!

DT...as I said in my reply to Oakleaf...I too, have the wobbly steering when I shift issue. I don't have small hands, just weak and arthritic hands...which makes moving those levers a chore sometimes. Seriously, sometimes I debate with myself whether or not I actually want to shift into that smaller ring or not because I know how difficult it's gonna be shifting back into the big one.

Linda

[bikerchic]

....to the darkside and bring up the whole Campy vs. Shimano debate?

:rolleyes: Oh well I tend to live dangerously so here is an informative article on that debate:

http://www.biketechreview.com/reviews/components/64-campy-vs-shimano

[Seajay]

Electronic DuraAce does away with the shifter throw issue. Perfect shifts with small hands. No lever throw at all.

[Artista]

Electronic DuraAce does away with the shifter throw issue. Perfect shifts with small hands. No lever throw at all.

This may be one of those really stupid questions, but are electronic DuraAce shifters compatible with new 105 components?

[aicabsolut]

I think you need to have the whole Di2 grouppo to have it work. I've heard there's going to be an Ultegra level electronic group coming out eventually.

As for new Ultegra (6700), I find the inner lever a bit "mushy" feeling compared to old Shimano, but I don't think the lever throw is any more difficult than DA 7800. I had a really hard time with older 105 (I'll admit that the newer black colored 105 is a little bit easier).

As for functionality, Ultegra 6700 is much closer to DA 7900 than older Shimano groups were to each other.

I think the best way to get around lever throw issues for small or weak hands is to go with SRAM, but I don't know what Campy is like these days.

[zoom-zoom]

I think the best way to get around lever throw issues for small or weak hands is to go with SRAM, but I don't know what Campy is like these days.

I went from 105 to Rival and I will never go back to Shimano. I don't think I even have particularly small hands, for a female...but even with the short-reach shifters I always felt like shifting was a challenge. Plus they never seemed all that intuitive. I don't have to think about what I'm doing with SRAM.

[OakLeaf]

I'd be afraid to switch, I don't know that I'd ever get it right! Kind of like why I've been on Macs since 1989. :p

To me, Shimano is intuitive: big lever, bigger cog; small paddle, smaller cog.

[zoom-zoom]

I'd be afraid to switch, I don't know that I'd ever get it right! Kind of like why I've been on Macs since 1989. :p

I'm a Apple/Mac girl, too (since 3rd grade...I guess around 82--my only experiences with PCs have not been positive, so I stuck with what worked)...though Verizon got the Mac deal a few weeks after I got my Droid and I find that I really like it. Not sure I will go iPhone even when I'm eligible for a replacement.

But if it ain't broke, don't fix it. If I'd loved my Shimano group I'd have probably gone out of my way to stay with that system. That flashy orange bike spoke to me and I'm glad it did! :D

[Miranda]

:eek: Dang...

I gotta process that when I'm not so tired from work lol... extensive article even for a gear-geek-gal lol. Thanks for digging it up.

In short, I just know that it's lighter, supose to be smoother, perform better... and oh yea, the price tag diff = alot+$. I'd like to have DA for the lightness = less fatique, just the cash aspect to consider.

I didn't like SRAM either. I thought it was rough compared to Shimano. And the diff in how it shifter just weirded me out lol. Guess I'm a Shimano girl at heart. Campy idk about, but mix the pot if you will. Oh... even tho my hands are thin, I wear a man's size small gloves due to long fingers... still use the short reach shifters... work ok for me.