Tiagra vs 105 vs Ultegra

[Johnno260]

My new bike fund is coming along now, I have started having a good look at what's around on sale etc now is a good time for deals on 2016 bikes it seems.

My main question is regarding group sets, is there a major difference between Tiagra 4700, 105 5800 & Ultegra? I know there are weight savings to be had, but is say 105 much smoother than Tiagra for example?

I am looking at the Merida Ride range LBS is a specialist and I want to use them, basically it's getting either a Ride 300, 400 or 500.

Another thing I was considering is maintenance costs I am going to assume Ultegra is horrific if something goes wrong?

 

[mythste]

I find 105 hits the sweet spot between being cheap to maintain and slick to operate. I've used Tiagra and it was definitely less slick of a system.

 

[hatler]

When I was eyeing up a new bike I asked the LBS the difference between 105 and Ultegra.

Came the reply "Ultegra is a bit smoother, a bit lighter, and 300 quid more."

I went with 105.

I honestly don't think I'd be able to tell the difference if my eyes were closed (other than that my wallet would be lighter).

I think mythste has it right.

 

[vickster]

Try them out and decide for yourself as you'll be the one riding

Also see if hood shape has any impact on your ability to ride and brake comfortably. That's the reason I personally use SRAM and not any shimano

 

[User482]

The new 105 (5800 series) is really, really good: I prefer it to the 6700 Ultegra I had before it. My understanding is that 6800 Ultegra is functionally very similar, but a bit lighter.

 

[Milkfloat]

On groupset alone the difference between Tiagra and 105 is only about £45. I would pay more than that for future proofing of 11 speed. I run Ultegra (6900) and 105 (5800) on my geared road bikes and there is very little noticeable difference in use, I would not bother with Ultegra again, but the frame was a nicer colour

 

[Dirk]

The new 10 speed Tiagra is excellent and can take up to a 34 tooth rear cassette.

 

[Johnno260]

Try them out and decide for yourself as you'll be the one riding

Also see if hood shape has any impact on your ability to ride and brake comfortably. That's the reason I personally use SRAM and not any shimano

I tried in store and tbh I found the Tiagra a little less smooth, 105 and Ultegra I couldn't tell them apart, the hoods on all three didn't bother me, I haven't tried any SRAM ones Merida seem to only use Shimano.

 

[Red17]

I've got 10 speed Tiagra on one of my bikes and 11 speed Ultegra on the other.

Back to back the Ultegra is slightly smoother in operation, but if I wasn't actually looking for the difference I doubt I would notice it that much.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Can anyone please explain where they found this extra smoothness in the better sets and describe it?

 

[Yellow Saddle]

My new bike fund is coming along now, I have started having a good look at what's around on sale etc now is a good time for deals on 2016 bikes it seems.

My main question is regarding group sets, is there a major difference between Tiagra 4700, 105 5800 & Ultegra? I know there are weight savings to be had, but is say 105 much smoother than Tiagra for example?

I am looking at the Merida Ride range LBS is a specialist and I want to use them, basically it's getting either a Ride 300, 400 or 500.

Another thing I was considering is maintenance costs I am going to assume Ultegra is horrific if something goes wrong?

As you go up in the quality, the sets use less steel and more aluminium. The coatings also become fancier and therefore more expensive. Operation and durability is approximately the same.

Maintenance cost isn't more for the most expensive (for a long time after acquisition) because the parts that wear are common across the groups. Jockey wheels, chains, cassettes, BBs - all of those are pretty standard. Yes, you can buy an Ultegra cassette but a 105 one will work just as well. It is in fact the same cassette with a different coating. All the coatings are excellent.

After a while, an Ultegra crank may require a new chainring and that's a bit more expensive on an Ultegra since that one is hollow and machined to blend in and integrate with the rest of the crank. You cannot substitute on the chainring. As for the rest, replacement cost is similar.

You will not find the one operating better, smoother (whatever that means) or more efficient (whatever that means), than any other one in the top group.

With the highest group you usually get the nicest styling and of course, some street cred.

The decision cannot be rational. It is emotional and financial.

 

[mythste]

As you go up in the quality, the sets use less steel and more aluminium. The coatings also become fancier and therefore more expensive. Operation and durability is approximately the same.

Maintenance cost isn't more for the most expensive (for a long time after acquisition) because the parts that wear are common across the groups. Jockey wheels, chains, cassettes, BBs - all of those are pretty standard. Yes, you can buy an Ultegra cassette but a 105 one will work just as well. It is in fact the same cassette with a different coating. All the coatings are excellent.

After a while, an Ultegra crank may require a new chainring and that's a bit more expensive on an Ultegra since that one is hollow and machined to blend in and integrate with the rest of the crank. You cannot substitute on the chainring. As for the rest, replacement cost is similar.

You will not find the one operating better, smoother (whatever that means) or more efficient (whatever that means), than any other one in the top group.

With the highest group you usually get the nicest styling and of course, some street cred.

The decision cannot be rational. It is emotional and financial.

The action and resistance of the levers between 105 and Tiagra seemed very different to the feel. Are the shifter internals the same?

I doubt it, but I don't know and would be curious to find out.

 

[Johnno260]

As you go up in the quality, the sets use less steel and more aluminium. The coatings also become fancier and therefore more expensive. Operation and durability is approximately the same.

Maintenance cost isn't more for the most expensive (for a long time after acquisition) because the parts that wear are common across the groups. Jockey wheels, chains, cassettes, BBs - all of those are pretty standard. Yes, you can buy an Ultegra cassette but a 105 one will work just as well. It is in fact the same cassette with a different coating. All the coatings are excellent.

After a while, an Ultegra crank may require a new chainring and that's a bit more expensive on an Ultegra since that one is hollow and machined to blend in and integrate with the rest of the crank. You cannot substitute on the chainring. As for the rest, replacement cost is similar.

You will not find the one operating better, smoother (whatever that means) or more efficient (whatever that means), than any other one in the top group.

With the highest group you usually get the nicest styling and of course, some street cred.

The decision cannot be rational. It is emotional and financial.

OK cheers Yellow the last part of my funds depends in part on my PPI payout.

I know it sounds daft, but frame wise there is little difference between the bikes I am looking at, it's cosmetic mainly, I am trying to work out my best bang for buck I suppose, also what will rule is what's on the best sale at the time, if I can afford an Ultegra and it's a good deal I suppose I would consider it as I prefer the cosmetics on that bike, I was really worried about cost of maintenance as well though.

Saying that the LBS has a Tiagra Ride 300 in store and I like that a lot, I have rode that and been measured on that bike and I really like it, but I was thinking as the costs are close is the 105 a better option.

 

[Kajjal]

I have 11 speed 105 and 10 speed tiagra and don't notice any real difference. This may be due to keeping them well maintained and adjusted. Also I have XT and twenty year old LX on my mountain bikes, the LX is smoother but 8 rather than 10 speed.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

The action and resistance of the levers between 105 and Tiagra seemed very different to the feel. Are the shifter internals the same?

I doubt it, but I don't know and would be curious to find out.

The internals are the same, except for the Ultegra hydraulic lever.
The resistance is not provided by the levers but by the brake caliper springs - which are all the same.
The resistance - I'm not sure what you mean here but my guess is that you're talking friction. That's provided by the cables. Shimano cables are all the same except for the option of polymer-coated gear cables, but there's no need for them really. Conversely, you could fit them to your Tiagra if you want.