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I am about to buy a road bike and the difference in price is dependent upon the spec of the bike (fair enough..).
One of the main differences is that the more expensive model has the new Ultegra gears fitted - front and rear. The cheaper model has 105.
Whilst I intend to start some road work, I will still have a preference towards my mountain biking. So .... the question is whether an average duffer like me would notice the difference between the two systems. Anyone that can help please ?.
The 'speel' in the LBS is that 105 is just as good as the old Ultegra, so what has changed ?
Thanks.
The only thing to worry about is the shifters, mechs are almost irrelevant. 10spd and concealed cables is what you want, Ultegra will be a bit more durable.
I decided to get a Project One Madone and went for the OCLV frame but specced it with 105 components to stay in my budget. I find it lovely and smooth and have a good frame that I can up spec when and if I need. To be honest if I need to replace anything I will stick with 105.
Well...there's nothing wrong with either groupset to be honest. To convert it to 'mountain bike speak'
105 roughly = Deore
Ultegra roughly = XT
My inclination would be to examine the detailed spec of the rest of the bike. It wouldn't surprise me if the cheaper bike had some cheaper components 'hidden' away on it. For example, is the front mech a 105 mech or is it just the rear mech? What BB and headset are fitted? What sprockets are fitted? What wheels are fitted? Should they require servicing/repair what's it like getting hold of the parts?
I would then use this information to help me decide between the two bikes.
If everything else was equal and the price difference was more than an extra £50 or so personally I'd stick with 105.
as roadie_in_denial points out though it's likely there'll be some other differences too, although I reckon wheels would be the only thing worth worrying about there.
Fair point MrSalmon (great login name btw)...my concerns around what bits and bobs were fitted were more to do with justifying the prices of the bikes relative to each other.
For want of a 'benchmark' according to the Merlin Website the RRP for a 105 groupset is a few pence shy of £600 and the RRP for an Ultegra Groupset is a few pence shy of £900. That doesn't include hubs tho.
I think it comes down to intended purpose tho. I've always viewed 105 as a solid training groupset whereas Ultegra is for aspirant racing duties.
For whats it worth, I have 2010 105 shifters, mech and chainset on my road bike and to a "non-roadie" like myself it appears very, very smooth and I can't see how Ultegra or dura-ace could be significantly better!
I don't think most people would notice the difference between 105 and Ultegra, apart from in your wallet.
As above check that other components, particularly the wheels, on the two bikes are the same.
When it boils down to it the best way to make a significant difference on any roadbike is to increase the fitness of the rider.
Not much real world difference in feel or performance between 105 and Ultegra. Although Ultegra is a bit lighter.
However, are you comparing new Ultegra (6700) with old 105 (5600) or the new 105 (5700).The new versions both have revised shifters with hidden gear cables, new rear mech which accommodates 11-28 cassettes and new chains.
i would go for ultegra if it was me, the main reason being small things like ultegra have better jockey wheels with bearings in rather than just running on a bush etc
I have bikes with both 105 and Ultegra and find the 105 shifters feel a bit spongy compared to the Ultegra ones - can't really feel the gears shifting as well as with the Ultegra ones which have a more notchy feel.
Excellent - thanks all.
The bike is a Spesh Roubaix and the difference in price between the two bikes does cover upgrade in wheels, frame construction, etc.