Ultegra v Dura Ace

[Dangermouse]

Now I am upgrading to Ultegra from 105 a few members have asked me why, its not really a great upgrade weight wise but Ultegra does slightly out perform 105 and thats about it, as in my opinion 105 even looks better.
No some have even asked why not go the whole hog and go Dura Ace, no contest really take the weight into consideration and Ultegra comes out on top.

Ultegra chainset comes in at 712g yet DA comes in at 761g
Ultegra f/mech is 84.35g yet the equivalent DA 107g
Ultegra r/mech 186g and yet again the DA is slightly heavier at 196g

so if you add it all up a Dura Ace eqipped bike is not only more expensive its considerably heavier, yes its nice to have the DA bling factor but why is DA shimano's flagship group so much heavier than Ultegra, but lets face it a few grams here and there isnt going to make me a better rider so I will keep the extra cash for something else.

Now heres another example that may shock some people

105 chainset 671g........and then the DA came in at 761g
It seems you are paying for more weight now there are some variants lighter and heavier but on a level playing field the better the group the heavier on the bike and in the wallet.

 

[GrasB]

I'd assume that DA is heaver because it's stiffer. I don't use Shimano that much but with SRAM gear start trying to change gear when you putting the hammer done & suddenly you find out where those extra £ went.

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

Hmmmm, not sure about that. DA is lighter than all other shimano groupo's.

Complete group weights from lightest to heaviest:
1. Sram Red, 2125.6 grams
2. Campag Super Record, 2154.9 grams
3. Campag Record, 2263.7
4. Shimano 7900, 2277 grams
5. Campag Super Record EPS, 2285.4 grams
6. Shimano Dura Ace Di2, 2350.6 grams
7. Campag Chorus, 2352 grams
8. Sram Force, 2435.60 grams
9. Campag Record EPS, 2482 grams
10. Shimano 6700, 2529.2 grams
11. Shimano Ultegra DI2, 2619.3 grams

 

[Andrew_P]

I would ahve thought the biggest weight and performance saving would come from a new frame and stick you 105 on that?

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

Biggest weight savings are wheels, groupo and frame + fork. Here is a better list of weights:

http://www.totalcycling.com/component-weights.html

 

[Dangermouse]

I only averaged the weight from weight weenies like I said there are differing versions, personally I am happy with 105 but look forward to the crisper feel of Ultegra, I dont think the weight is really an issue in our league but a nice crisp shift is nice

 

[Dangermouse]

Biggest weight savings are wheels, groupo and frame + fork. Here is a better list of weights:

http://www.totalcycling.com/component-weights.html

Thats why I went for the K1's over shimano or mavics, not as nice to look at but lighter where it matters

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Im curious regarding where did you get the information from.
Everytime I have weighed my components (although I only have electronic versions) Di2 comes out lighter than Ui2

http://www.totalcycling.com/component-weights.html

Im really interested in weight so im curious regarding the source of your information.

 

[Dangermouse]

just been looking at that chart V and it looks like weight weenies are a bit out on their weights

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Shimano publish the claimed weights on the technical docs but on the electronic stuff its a bit off.
I also find the weights do not seem consistent. As someone who plays a lot with Di2 ive noticed bigger variations in weight of the same components than I expected to see

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

Yeh 105 is fine and Ultegra is indeed better. The weight savings are small but in combination with other savings they can be large. For example you may have a bike that weighs 9kg with 105 and 2000g wheelset. If that was Ultegra groupo and a 1500g wheelset (fulcrum racing 1's are 1500g) then the new bike weight would be 8.3kg or there about.
You would most certainly notice the weight loss on the wheels. Some say an ounce off the wheels is like a pound off the frame.

All comes down to £££ doesn't it..........

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

just been looking at that chart V and it looks like weight weenies are a bit out on their weights

Weight weenies are usually pretty picky about their gear and the corresponding weights. Would have thought they would be pretty accurate.

 

[smokeysmoo]

but a nice crisp shift is nice

FWIW current 105 is the last version of Ultegra anyway. It's the trickle down effect. Likewise current Ultegra is the last DA etc, etc.

IMO there's really no discernible difference to an average Joe like me, and I've ridden them all.

My best bike is full DA7900 as I always buy the best frame/component combo I possibly can, but I had a commuter with 105 and it felt just as good IMO, and in fact my current chainset on the CAAD10 is Ultegra as I couldn't afford a DA one TBH, but the grey Ultegra matches the bike better anyhoo

FWIW I far preferred the first 10 speed DA, (7800?), when the mechs were all chrome. Then there was a definite difference to be felt, (even by me!), and it did feel much crisper too IMO. I've had 2 bikes with ful DA7900, and neither has felt as crisp as the older stuff, go figure

In a nutshell, if it's built into the cost of a new bike, fill your boots, but IMO the upgrade cost makes it uneconomical, (thinking more about DA here, and unless your a serious racer that will reap marginal gains), or unless you build it up over time with second hand bits. There's always plenty about as there are still plenty of folk who are happy to haemmorrage their cash on the latest must have 'upgrade'

 

[Andrew_P]

Ultegra is around £599 for the full group? You could get a Planet X Nanolight frame for that..

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

Yeh i would personally only be concerned when buying a new bike. The upgrade would only be worthwhile if bits needed replaced anyway.