Fifty Plus (50+) - Dura Ace or Ultegra? Mid-Life Crisis?

My current ride has Ultegra 9 speed on it, which has been perfectly functional. Recently, I've come across a 'never been used' 9 speed Dura Ace group. I'm so tempted to buy it, given it's about half of what it should cost. However, I've been looking at motorcycles again and am begining to suspect that I may be looking at the Dura Ace stuff for the wrong reasons. Is there a significant enough performance difference to justify the investment, or am I seeking the "top of the line" for some other reason? Help. I can't seem to make a decision on this one!

Never used Dura Ace, but a friend of mine has it on one of his bikes and says the difference is subtle but noticable--just a sweet little extra dab of precision. I'd say you're seeking "top of the line" because you'd like to have the experience of riding "top of the line." Nothing wrong with that.

One way I justify my purchases to my wife and myself is to point out that it could be much worse. I'm not, for example, collecting yachts, airplanes, or blondes.

Well, there is a justifiable performance improvement for Dura Ace over Ultegra or 105. The gruppo weighs less than the other two and if you are doing a mountain stage on the Tour de France, it will give you a bit more than a 1% improvement on the climbs. Now for me, a 1% improvement in my climbing is not really a big deal. So I am not willing to spend $$$ to go for the Dura Ace gruppo. I have never ridden Dura Ace. I have ridden Ultegra and 105. Ultegra may have a slightly smoother performance than 105 but if I did not know what I was riding, I rather doubt that I could spot the enhancement. I rather suspect the bigger deal is having the Dura Ace stuff to impress one's friends.

I'm making the switch and am doing it "piece meal". I bought a used bike that was full Dura Ace and changed some components (cranks and rear derailleur). I'm in the process of swapping out the Ultegra stuff to the Dura Ace that came off the other bike. Blackberry summed it up well-overall the differences are subtle. If you have the dollars and want to upgrade your ride I think it's reasonable.........but that is just me.

The biggest difference I've noticed are the Dura Ace brakes over Ultegra. It could be my cables or difference in bikes but the Dura Ace sure seems to be a more positive braking system than the Ultegra. I even changed the pads in the Ultegra to see if that would help but the Dura Ace is better hands down. This is even using the same set of wheels. I'm now wrestling with whether to go with Zero Gravity brakes for my lightweight bike and move the Dura Ace to the bike with the Ultegra brakes.......

I've ridden Ultegra a couple of times, and my current bike has Dura-Ace. Dura-Ace is lighter (though overall a small fraction of your bike weight). The fit and finish of the components is a little better if you appreciate fine engineering. And the feel is different and, for many, more pleasant.

I doubt that any of these things, either individually or as a whole, would be worth the money to most people. Ultegra makes for a very nice ride. What does make DA worth the money for some people is knowing that you've got the very best Shimano groupset on your bike. As with many things when you get to high-end bikes and components, it often comes down to the intangibles.

.... However, I've been looking at motorcycles again and am begining to suspect that I may be looking at the Dura Ace stuff for the wrong reasons......

I don't get the motorcycle reference. Just curious because I, too, am a motorcyclist and just wondering what the connection was.


bruce19

I don't get the motorcycle reference. Just curious because I, too, am a motorcyclist and just wondering what the connection was.


bruce19

I sold all my motorcycles about 15 years ago. I promised my wife I wouldn't get another one until the kids were through college. Well, the youngest is headed off to college this year, and I've been sneaking looks at the new Victory motorcycles. My family say's motorcycles are my mid-life crisis desire. I suspect they are correct. I know I can't do what I want to do with motorcycles, yet still get the urge. The reason I got rid of them 15 years ago was to stay alive. I could never see the sense in owning something that will go 100+ mph unless you make it go 100+ mph. As I've gotten older, the desire to go fast has not changed. My reflexes, however, have slowed considerably.

Dura-Ace. This winter, I upgraded from Ultegra to DA and the difference was noticable. I also recently upgraded Linda's Ruby to DA a couple months ago, and she's loving the difference between the DA and the 105 that came on the bike. If you do your shopping, the difference in price isn't as dramatic as it looks on the surface.

Steve

I believe the biggest difference that can be noticed is the shifting is somewhat more precise, quicker, cleaner.
Both of my bikes have dura/ace if I was to do anything different, everything would be ultegra , except the sti shifters, and rear der, those would be dura/ace

What is the diff between really, really great and really, really, really great?

Veloce vs. Record? My mid-range Veloce ergo shifters working with a 105 rd cobbled together with a JTek Shiftmate is working flawlessly. Shifts out of the saddle and under load very quickly and positively. Would Record make me happier? Maybe. For worthy, substantive reasons? Well, again, maybe. Chances are I will never own a Record (or D/A) bike. Perhaps ignorance is bliss. I am quite happy, everything works and, so far, doesn't leave me muttering profanities while my chain skips and my friends accelerate away.

Value is in the hand of the beholder. Having said that, I would probably spring for Chorus next time just because............................... beats me. Human nature.

I sold all my motorcycles about 15 years ago. I promised my wife I wouldn't get another one until the kids were through college. Well, the youngest is headed off to college this year, and I've been sneaking looks at the new Victory motorcycles. My family say's motorcycles are my mid-life crisis desire. I suspect they are correct. I know I can't do what I want to do with motorcycles, yet still get the urge. The reason I got rid of them 15 years ago was to stay alive. I could never see the sense in owning something that will go 100+ mph unless you make it go 100+ mph. As I've gotten older, the desire to go fast has not changed. My reflexes, however, have slowed considerably.

I am with you 100% on all of the above. I rode sport and touring motorcycles (BMW mostly) for over 35 years, and just gave it up two years ago, for most of the same reasons -- too many incompetent, inattentive drivers out there, and my reflexes and sensory perceptions are not as quick as they used to be. I felt that I was losing the "situational awareness" that had kept me safe and injury-free over many 1000s of highway miles.

So now how can I justify going from trail bicycles back onto the road on a bike? If anything, I felt safer on my motorcycle -- better dressed and I never had to worry about anyone passing me. If I gave up motorcycling for safety reasons, what am I doing out there now on a bicycle? Hmmm...

I am with you 100% on all of the above. I rode sport and touring motorcycles (BMW mostly) for over 35 years, and just gave it up two years ago, for most of the same reasons -- too many incompetent, inattentive drivers out there, and my reflexes and sensory perceptions are not as quick as they used to be. I felt that I was losing the "situational awareness" that had kept me safe and injury-free over many 1000s of highway miles.

So now how can I justify going from trail bicycles back onto the road on a bike? If anything, I felt safer on my motorcycle -- better dressed and I never had to worry about anyone passing me. If I gave up motorcycling for safety reasons, what am I doing out there now on a bicycle? Hmmm...

For me, the difference between being on a road bicycle vs a motorcycle is that I am out of the general flow of traffic on a bike, going slower which allows more reaction time when a motorist pulls out in front of you, and probably most important, I select routes to ride based on road conditions and traffic, not as a route to get somewhere specific. If it is a busy or dangerous road, I don't ride it. On a motorcycle, I probably would have.

You can't take it with you. Get the good stuff.

You can't take it with you. Get the good stuff.
+1

You can't take it with you. Get the good stuff.

You can't?

http://www.televisionheaven.co.uk/prisoner6.jpg

Actually, I don't plan on taking a good bike with me.....my understanding is that we'll be issued, not 70 virgins, but a carbon or titanium frame (excepting John E., who gets timeless Reynolds 531) with our choice of D/A or Record. Previously unridden of course.

If possible, I would like to take my favorite Regal saddle. Just have to see.

BTW, I wonder if BF50 will finally be getting together up there.....no doubt at PastorBob's. I expect Gary Diego will not be numbered among us.

Glad they won't be letting any of those 'bent people in.

BTW, I wonder if BF50 will finally be getting together up there.....no doubt at PastorBob's. I expect Gary Diego will not be numbered among us.

I only wonder if WEBB / Padre Diego will be serving as GATEKEEPER !!!:eek:

What is the diff between really, really great and really, really, really great?

Bragging rights :)

Steve

+1

+2

Oh, and did I mention that chicks love Dura-Ace? Nothing like a sweaty man in spandex talking about his quality hardware.

Steve

I expect Gary Diego will not be numbered among us.

I think any of us will be lucky to sneak in the side door.

Dura-Ace...quickest way to get your bike stolen...:roflmao:

I expect Gary Diego will not be numbered among us.
Yo! The name's Gary Diego, not Gary Diablo!

The correct answer is Dura Ace...10 spd.

Seriously. If you're thinking of upgrading from Ultegra 9 to DA 9 because you want the 'best', it won't be long until you crave that 10 speed gruppo in the window. I can see it now:

"Honey, but I need 10 gears."

"OK, but only Ultegra."

"Thanks, sweetie."

...10 months later...

"Ooh, look at that 10 speed Dura Ace gruppo."

Cut the middle-man and just do it (although, in all honesty, I think you should stick with Ultegra 9 and satisfy (or at least feed) your mid-life crisis with a bike trip to France).

I only wonder if WEBB / Padre Diego will be serving as GATEKEEPER !!!:eek:
Son, the only thing I'm the gatekeeper of is your safety every night when you go to bed and dream about the traffic statutes you and your "bi" cycling buddies plan to break while out riding the next day. But I'm a cop, and cops do what they're paid to do...which is uphold the law for every citizen, even if they aren't honest, decent, God-fearing, white male Republicans who would rather be non-smoking Communists than give up their American automobiles. That's something you and your kind are a far cry from understanding, Mr. Woody, but that won't stop me from standing century at your door, even if I know what's going on inside would make me puke from here to next Thursday.

Since the OP says the whole DA group is available at <50% of full boat price, I'd say buy the Dura Ace. Keep in mind that the cost is further defrayed if the original Ultegra group is then sold on e-Bay.

...I wonder if BF50 will finally be getting together up there.....no doubt at PastorBob's. I expect Gary Diego will not be numbered among us.

Glad they won't be letting any of those 'bent people in.

Mercy and grace spread wide and far and who ever receives it, well--- it's not up to us fellow bicyclists. I preached a little about this on Sunday so I'm up-to-date, so-to-speak. Even our mythical Diego clan have a sporting chance.

BTW, I had fellow BFer, KDB, who posts over in Classic and Vintage with a few of us (no Diegos there--- is that heaven?), worship at my church Sunday. He and his family are vacationing 3 miles from my house. I took Kevin and his two sons on a 24 mile ride around the lake Sunday evening. :)

Back on topic: Forget the new stuff, stick with the classic friction shifting derailleurs. When you pound up the hills everyone will look at you and say "How'd he do that?" And you reply, "It's all in the legs.";)

Mercy and grace spread wide and far and who ever receives it, well--- it's not up to us fellow bicyclists. )

+ 1 Amen

PastorBob

Does God ride a bicycle?

PastorBob Does God ride a bicycle?


Certainly He does not ride a 'bent. Nor trendy carbon or titanium. Probably a highly filligreed lugwork gold alloy frame with mirror finished Campy Victory friction.

PastorBob, I'm working on personally forgiving the Diegos but it is very hard. I keep having unwanted fanstasies of Gary D. getting marched off downwards in a sulfurous direction on the end of a pitchfork. Amazing Grace indeed if such a wretch is saved. Perhaps, with Big Paulie's influence, Gary D. could see the Light and discover a New Life.

Certainly He does not ride a 'bent. Nor trendy carbon or titanium. Probably a highly filligreed lugwork gold alloy frame with mirror finished Campy Victory friction.


"He"? I suspect God rides whatever "She" wants to ride, whenever, and wherever She wants.

Well, folks while this has been fun, I've missed out on the opportunity. The guy who was selling the DA 9 speed got tired of waiting and sold it elsewhere. I guess what they say is true: No decision is a decision. So, I'll ride the Ultegra, save the money and probably be tempted by something else later on. Life will surely pass you by if you don't grab it by the horns.

Now to the important stuff: Ginger or Mary Anne?

Now to the important stuff: Ginger or Mary Anne?


I know my age... Mrs. Howell.

Re: motorcycles----I've been riding since 1975. I am a MSF Instructor although I no longer teach. In 1998, at age 52, I sold my BMW R100RS of 16 yrs. and bought a Ducati SS. Bought another SS in 2001 and ultimately ended up with a '02 Ducati 998 & '04 Triumph Sprint RS (for 2-up riding). Love my Duc and love my bicycles (Bianchi Squadra, MAZA Prestige TSX, LeMond Arrivee TI and Masi Gran Criterium S) although the LeMond needs to be sold. Hate to sell that bike since it's only a year old, but need to finance the Masi somehow. Anyway, I just love being on two wheels. I must say I feel far more vulnerable on the bicycles than the motorcycles. Given the lack of safety gear and power/braking/handling of bicycles, I sometimes marvel that most of us aren't dead. In general, I far prefer 2-wheeled travel.


bruce19

:roflmao: :eek: :roflmao:
I know my age... Mrs. Howell.

My midlife crisis was a 1934 Ford four door sedan with the full hotrod treatment. Aftermarket frame, Independant front suspension, coil over shock rear suspension, 302 V-8, Auto trans. The works. It was lots of fun but it sure ate money. Bikes & their upgrades seem so reasonable now, plus they have carved 55 lbs. off the old body. Dura ace? Why not. It won't break the bank. Just be glad you're not into sailboats. bk

my midlife crisis was a custom tube amplifier for harmonica from Kendrick Amps: still roaring strong in the band and the 70 lbs of the sweet single 12-inch keeps me in shape for picking up my 35-lb Boulder SE...

...So, I'll ride the Ultegra, save the money and probably be tempted by something else later on...

Watch for a Campy set! It won't be any better than the Dura Ace, but it'll sure rile the Dura Ace crowd more! :p

I think I missed mid-life...unless I plan to live to be 104...

Since I am above mid-life crises (numerically) I have no sympathy at all. When it comes to geriatric crises all bets are off. I went Centaur.

motto: start slow, then ease off

Having had children late in life-- they are now working along with dad their way through college-- and being on a single income.........my "mid-life crises" are being dealt with by my buying a loaf of boutique bread every week. Occasionally I throw in some quality olive oil. La Bella Vita!! :)

Surprizing how much service you can get out of well-maintained midrange components.

PastorBob

Does God ride a bicycle?

Yes! One that is appropriate to ride upon streets paved in gold. See Revelation 21:21. :D

Cross Chain quote: "Surprizing how much service you can get out of well-maintained midrange components."

This is exactly the attitude that my 2nd wife has taken towards your truly & I believe it has served her well...

Cross Chain quote: "Surprizing how much service you can get out of well-maintained midrange components."

This is exactly the attitude that my 2nd wife has taken towards your truly & I believe it has served her well...

:beer:

Yes! One that is appropriate to ride upon streets paved in gold. See Revelation 21:21. :D

Pastor Bob, from my study of the OT it seems that God always likes to suprise and please his children. So who knows?

Now we see through a glass darkly, but then.........

Cross Chain quote: "Surprizing how much service you can get out of well-maintained midrange components."This is exactly the attitude that my 2nd wife has taken towards your truly & I believe it has served her well...
:D :D :D

Pastor Bob, from my study of the OT it seems that God always likes to suprise and please his children. So who knows?

Now we see through a glass darkly, but then.........

I agree. I always remind folks how unbelievably complex the Universe appears, and we are simply scratching the surface, as far as our understanding goes. The Creator is so far beyond any means we might use to describe God, that when ever we use "he" or "she" we are certainly leaving at least a million more descriptive words out of the equation. Revelation is a description, from one very faithful disciple. I thought my "Radiant Coppertone" colored Schwinn Collegiate, might compliment nicely, "the street of the city is pure gold, transparent as glass."

The answer is Campagnolo. As a mostly bottom dweller in cycling components, I thought my Shimano 105 groupo on my Steve Bauer road bike was great, however recent acquisitions of a custom built bike with Campy Croce D'aune 7 speed and a Bianchi with 8 speed Campy Ergo makes the 105 stuff pale in comparison, Campagnolo stuff is just sooooo smooth.

Now that we're all old and never know if our next ride may be our last one we should go for the gusto and get the best, whether you can afford it or not!!!!