Road Cycling - SRAM, Ultegra, or 105 cassette?

I am going to be replacing the wheelset on my bike. Instead of swapping the SRAM 12-26 9 speed cassette that is currently on my bike I am planning on replacing it with a new one. This way, if I need to swap the wheels again for any reason I can do it quickly without having to swap cassettes.

The SRAM 970 is available in the same 12-26 that is currently on my bike.

The Ultegra is available in 12-25 or 12-27.

So far, I can only find the 105 cassette in 12-25, not 12- 27.

The SRAM and Ultegra are about the same price ~ $35 -$40 while the Ultegra is about $20 more. I know the weight is different between these cassettes, but it is not much. If I need to save 30 grams, I can have a smaller bowl of cereal in the morning.

Is there much of a differnce in the longevity of these products? Is the Ultegra actually $20 better?

Any suggestions or experiences would be helpful. I do not want to spend hundreds of dollars on a new wheelset and then screw up by trying to save $20 on a cassette.

I've had a 11-23 Ultegra 9-speed cassette on my GF's bike before and now have the 12-26 SRAM cassette on there. I have perceived no difference.

I've had a 11-23 Ultegra 9-speed cassette on my GF's bike before and now have the 12-26 SRAM cassette on there. I have perceived no difference.

Do you ride your GF's bike alot? ;)

Ultegra = best performance value for the money.

One thing you have to watch out for is wear, if you put a new chain on and use an older cassette that's well used, it will wear the chain faster.
I bought a tiagra cassette as a spare that I use on my climbing wheels 12-25. The difference in shifting is not noticable. A 12-25 cassette will be no problem when moving from a 12-26. I used mine for an 11000 vertical, 110 mile race.I have noticed no difference in the longevity either.
Spend the $20 on something else.

Don't forget the weight of the $20 bill if you go with the Ultegra. I would take the 105.

Don't forget the weight of the $20 bill if you go with the Ultegra. I would take the 105.

On the face of it, 105 seems like a good deal. However, I've found that the slightly different design of the ultegra cassettes wears the freehub splines to a lesser extent than 105, which has a tendency to chew some pretty sizeable notches in the splines.

I use ultegra cassettes on my bikes, as it seems to be the best compromise of design/quality and cost.

I use ultegra cassettes on my bikes, as it seems to be the best compromise of design/quality and cost.

+1

I have found the SRAM 970 to be a good cassette.
I like the fact all the rings are "bonded" together.
A lot less wear on the splines that way.

Do you ride your GF's bike alot? ;)

Dang that reminds me...I have got to stop using "GF"...I meant my FIANCE'S bike:D

Dang that reminds me...I have got to stop using "GF"...I meant my FIANCE'S bike:D

congrats

congrats


Don't you mean "Sorry for your impending incarceration?"

Don't you mean "Sorry for your impending incarceration?"

nope.

congrats.