Road Cycling - Dura-Ace V.S. Ultegra

I am wondering if going for a Dura-Ace equipted bike rather than an Ultegra equipted bike is worth the price difference. I have been racing for a good couple of years now and have been progressing in the sport very quickly. I am on the Manitoba Provincial Cycling Team and I am looking at buying a bike now that will take me through my junior years.

Case in point: The 2004 Cannondale R3000 (dura ace) v.s. the R2000 (ultegra). I have a limited budget but i really want a bike that's going to be a speed deamon. Is it worth the extra money to upgrade to Dura Ace even though both bikes have the same frame and Mavic SL wheel set? What do you think? How about the two groupos themselves, how do they match up preformance for cost?

Thanks for your input

Juno

Whats the difference in price? Isn't it like $1000 or so?

Dude,save your money. Use it on coaching, wheels with better aerodynamics, getting your bike fitted properly , etc. Or just use it to offset the expenses of racing. I always rode better on race day when I slept in a hotel, and not the van. HAHA!

I think the Dura Ace is around .75lbs lighter, and you get 10-speed. I don't think either of them is going to be holding you back. If you want a bike that is a speed demon, well..... look to the demon within.

Plus the R2000 comes in red. ;)

Thanks for asking, since I'm also trying to decide between the R2000 and R3000. The reasonable choice is the R2000, I'm afraid. Also, if you are going to use it for racing, it might be good to remember the "don't race it if you can't afford to replace it" rule, which someone posted here recently.

Just to play a little Devil's advocate.....

My Daddy always told me that, "You're never dissapointed with the very best."

If you buy the Ultegra in a year from now you may be sitting there saying,"Gee I wish I had bought the DA".

If you buy the DA I doubt very much you will be saying a year from now," Gee I wish I had bought the Ultegra."

unless something has changed recently, DA's BB has a horrible reputation when compared to the ultegra.
but the DA shifters are nicer than the ultegra.
derailleurs are a wash.
DA cranks are light and sleeker.

is the opportunity to buy the DA's costing you something more valuable?

Buying the so called best does not necessarily mean better relatively speaking. I would say that it depends upon what your needs (and wants) with your ability to pay for them is. The DA is lighter but not that much. I looked at the Cannondale R3000 which of course comes with full DA but ultimately went with the R2000 because of the value. The DA may not last as long as the Ultegra and it would be a big cost to replace. So I think one has to ask himself if paying the extra for the DA is worth it. In fact, my LBS steered me away from it and showed absolutely no interest in selling me DA just so he could make more money which I do appreciate. I have often heard that the DA bottom brackett will wear out long before the Ultegra. The DA shifters are nicer. Personally, I don't think the added middle gear of the 10 speed (or the weight difference) warrants the increase in price. You'll have to decide for yourself of course. As I contemplated spending the dough on the R3000, I rationalized that for a bit more I could get a Merlin. I am well pleased with R2000. Nothing wrong at all with the Ultegra. Good luck!

bump

Why isn't this question a sticky yet? Perhaps a Shimano VS Campy VS SRAM would cover all the bases...

I'd go Ultegra and spend the money you save on wheels.
Don't get me wrong; I love D.A., but from what you described, you're looking for a bigger jump. That's what you'll get with a great wheelset.

That said, if you crash, the first thing that will probably go crunch is the wheelset.

unless something has changed recently, DA's BB has a horrible reputation when compared to the ultegra.
but the DA shifters are nicer than the ultegra.
derailleurs are a wash.
DA cranks are light and sleeker.

is the opportunity to buy the DA's costing you something more valuable?

Could you please elaborate on the BB problems? I'd prefer to save money and buy Ultegra but I'm looking for a 177.5mm crank and currently, Shimano only makes this crank in the DA.

Could you please elaborate on the BB problems? I'd prefer to save money and buy Ultegra but I'm looking for a 177.5mm crank and currently, Shimano only makes this crank in the DA.

look at the date of the post you're replying to. it's 2 months shy of being 3 years old.