Does

Rival = 105
Force = Ultegra
Red = Dura Ace

If so, does this:

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPULT/planet_x_pro_carbon_shimano_ultegra_road_bike

Seem better value than this:

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPTDF/planet_x_pro_carbon_tour_de_france_limited_edition

even though it’s £100 dearer?

Not sure if its as simple as that, i run the sram apex which is equal to the 105, well slightly better as my SL bike came with it while the staandard bike comes with the 105.

Ethier way and tbh i don’t know any better the apex is a great groupset does the job perfectly.

Boardman might disagree as they put 105 on the model up from the one with Apex. It’s a minefield!

I’d take ultegra but then again I like Shimano road shifting (but SRAM offroad)

wheels/ chainset.

pick the one you like the shifters of.

Not sure if its as simple as that, i run the sram apex which is equal to the 105, well slightly better as my SL bike came with it while the staandard bike comes with the 105.

Probably because SRAM almost always comes out lighter for any nominal price point/tier.

It’s a minefield!

SRAM’s generally cheaper, Red equipped bike can be bought for (almost) ultegra money. Even aftermarket it’s a lot less than DA.

pick the one you like the shifters of.

+1, that’s where you’ll notice the difference, not the logo.

Or campy

I have older record from 2006 and still works a treat

SRAM’s generally cheaper, Red equipped bike can be bought for (almost) ultegra money. Even aftermarket it’s a lot less than DA.

until you look at the cost of spares aftermarket, at which point Shimano becomes cheaper.

I’ve got 105 on my road bike and Apex on my cross bike. The 105 is proper smooth, the apex is very positive; I rather like them both.

To be honest I prefer how SRAM chainsets look over their shimano equivalent.

Got Force on my CX bike.

One thing to note is that the shifting action is different on SRAM. On normal Shimano STI you move the brake lever to shift one direction and press a smaller lever to shift the other.

On SRAM “DoubleTap” the brake lever doesn’t move at all, instead you press the lever in one click to shift one way and fully in to shift the other.

Not a big thing. Easy to get to grips with and I quite like it. But apparently some folk hate it.