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/fea...-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....

[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!