Ultegra or Force

[Marquise]

Another vote for Force. Made the switch from 105 and I'd never go back to Shimano. SRAM shifting just makes more sense to me. It may be easier for small hands, though that wasn't an issue for me. I just like it much better.

[Reesha]

I prefer Shimano and I have Ultegra on my bike. I can't abide the Force shifters, but it comes down to what you're used to and what works with your particular ergonomics. Ultegra has been great for me over the last 5000 miles!

[smilingcat]

I'm a long time user of Ultegra and Force.

You can't compare 105 against the Force since the two are not in the same "category" It's like comparing a nice Audi against a VW beetle kind of a thing. I hope that makes some sense.

Ultegra has been improving steadily over the years and are very nice. Lot of people like them. Force is nice too.

If you decide to race in Crits (Criteriums where you do typically 1 mile laps), Force is a better choice. Otherwise, I think its matter of your personal choice and how well you can reach the brake levers.

If your LBS have bicycles built up with Ultegra and another one with Force, put your hands on the handle bar and see how they feel. Is it easy to reach the brake handles? Does your hand feel comfortable when your hand is resting on the hood? How does the shifters feel?

Pick the one you like, pick the one whose price is right too.

I don't have experience with compact double so I don't have suggestion regarding them.

[zoom-zoom]

Another vote for Force. Made the switch from 105 and I'd never go back to Shimano. SRAM shifting just makes more sense to me. It may be easier for small hands, though that wasn't an issue for me. I just like it much better.

Ditto. I do have smallish hands (average size women's hands, but small for stock shifters, built for guys). I had 105 for a year and never could wrap my brain around that--I was forever shifting the wrong direction (I also had a lot of issues with chains dropping at random...I'd be pedaling along and BAM, dropped chain--not even while shifting. I have had ONE chain drop with my SRAM bikes in almost 4500 miles, including on a CX bike that has taken some really muddy abuse). I now have Rival and Apex on my bikes. Someday I'd like a bike with full Force components. I don't see myself ever going back to Shimano. I am hoping that SRAM eventually offers electronic shifting, though.

[Owlie]

Ditto. I do have smallish hands (average size women's hands, but small for stock shifters, built for guys). I had 105 for a year and never could wrap my brain around that--I was forever shifting the wrong direction (I also had a lot of issues with chains dropping at random...I'd be pedaling along and BAM, dropped chain--not even while shifting. I have had ONE chain drop with my SRAM bikes in almost 4500 miles, including on a CX bike that has taken some really muddy abuse). I now have Rival and Apex on my bikes. Someday I'd like a bike with full Force components. I don't see myself ever going back to Shimano. I am hoping that SRAM eventually offers electronic shifting, though.

Funny. I've never (knock on wood) had dropped chain problems with Sora thus far (though in far fewer miles than you put on your Synapse). I agree that stock Shimano shifters suck for smaller hands. My shifters are theoretically short-reach, but the thumb triggers don't count and shifting up (front) or down (rear) is really difficult because of how long the throw is. Rear isn't too bad, but the front is terrible. From what I've seen, Shimano needs to work on its offerings for smaller hands. However, I find Shimano to be intuitive, whereas I sort of tilt my head at SRAM shifters and go "but how does it work?"

[Reesha]

Yes-- another few points from a longtime ultegra user.
A. I have never dropped a chain (yay!)
B. I do have long fingers, so that probably helps with things.

I heard that if you have small hands Campy ergo shifters are the best.

[Becky]

I have Ultegra on a couple of bikes and SRAM Rival on another. I like them both very much, but they are different from each other. If I were you, I'd ride them both before making any sort of decision.