Road Cycling - To upgrade to Dura Ace, that is the Question!

Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 2 Upgrade to Dura-Ace?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have a 2004 Motebecane Century Pro. This is a fairly light road bike (aluminum, carbon fork and seatstays) outfitted with Ultegra triple components, Ritchey Pro handlebars, Ritchey pro seat post, and Richey OCR Pro wheelset.

I have an opportunity to upgreade the bike with new Dura Ace components (front and rear deraileurs, triple STI brake lever/shifter, bottom bracket, and crankset), everything except the chain, cassette, and the brakes, for about $500. I think that this is a good deal, but I wanted to get some feedback from people.

Do you think that I would get more bang for my buck with other improvements?

Also, does anybody have an opinion on the Dura Ace chain and/or cassette (which I was also considering?)

Thanks!
Matt

Go Lance!

The difference between the weight on the ultegra cassette versus the DA cassette is the greatest out of all the parts I believe.
With that said, if you can afford it, and want it. Then get it.

The difference between the weight on the ultegra cassette versus the DA cassette is the greatest out of all the parts I believe.
With that said, if you can afford it, and want it. Then get it.

Well, I don't know if I can really afford it, but I may have been bitten by the upgrade bug!

Seriously, if I put money into the bike, I want to be sure that I do so wisely. Would I be better off putting some or all of the $500 into say, a new wheelset? or a different handlebar? or a carbon seatpost?

Looking for the most bang for the buck given my current set-up.

Matt

good carbon forks aside, carbon bits are a poor investment.

a wheelset is a good place to start, taking rotational weight off the bike, but...

it sounds like:

a) you have a pretty decent bike already

and

b) the money is burning a hole in your pocket and may lead to impulse purchasing of stuff you don't really need

why not ride for a while longer and determine where you think your bike needs improvement, as opposed to asking others who know nothing of your riding habits or style.

G'day,

is this an upgrade to DA 10 you are considering?...I went from 2002 Ultgra to DA 10 this year & the difference is huge, (particularly the brakes). If you talking upgrading to DA 9...I don't know that I'd bother...unless of course that money is burning a hole in your pocket...but i'd save a little more & go the 10 speed,

cheers,

Hitchy

good carbon forks aside, carbon bits are a poor investment.

a wheelset is a good place to start, taking rotational weight off the bike, but...

it sounds like:

a) you have a pretty decent bike already

and

b) the money is burning a hole in your pocket and may lead to impulse purchasing of stuff you don't really need

why not ride for a while longer and determine where you think your bike needs improvement, as opposed to asking others who know nothing of your riding habits or style.

That is great advice, and I really appreciate it! I think you've hit the nail on the head about impulsive purchases and I will try to control myself.

I like your idea about the wheelset, although for a different reason than you mentioned. I think that it would be a good idea to have a spare wheelset handy for when a wheel needs to be repaired or trued. Presently, I don't have any spare parts other than tires/tubes.

My riding habits are those of a suburban 15-50 miler, some moderate hills, average about 16 mph. Ride on pretty smooth pavement for the most part. I do not get into racing, but ride with one or two friends or by myself. I am competitive enough that when I am with a friend I like to set the pace and not be the one panting at the end. I also get a real kick enjoying a bike that works smooth as butter!

Thanks again for the advice and I will be happy for any more that you might have.

G'day,

is this an upgrade to DA 10 you are considering?...I went from 2002 Ultgra to DA 10 this year & the difference is huge, (particularly the brakes). If you talking upgrading to DA 9...I don't know that I'd bother...unless of course that money is burning a hole in your pocket...but i'd save a little more & go the 10 speed,

cheers,

Hitchy

G'day! I currently have a 2004 Ultegra 9/triple, thinking of going to DA 9 triple crankset, front/rear derail., bottom bracket, and shifters.

Interested in what you've written about the brakes--much more stopping power? I think they are now different designs for front and rear.

Thanks for the advice!

I made a similar upgrade earlier in the season from older Ultegra equipment to mostly Dura Ace stuff. I have found that there is a big difference. The shifting is a lot more precise and smooth. I did not make the move to the Dura Ace cassette. It was just too much money and I am not so interested in just shedding grams. I can eat one less hamburger and lose weight for that!!

$500 is less than what I spent for sure. Sounds like a great deal to me. I think you will be pleased.

The difference between the weight on the ultegra cassette versus the DA cassette is the greatest out of all the parts I believe.
With that said, if you can afford it, and want it. Then get it.


Hmmm, I think the DA cassette is not too expensive and compatible with Ultegra derial and crank. That might be an option.

The DA shifters were very enticing to me because I understand that they are just so sweet to use.

Still, the advice that I've gotten below has me thinking more in terms of a good priimary or secondary wheelset (since I currently do not have a spare).

Any thoughts? Appreciate the advice!

I made a similar upgrade earlier in the season from older Ultegra equipment to mostly Dura Ace stuff. I have found that there is a big difference. The shifting is a lot more precise and smooth. I did not make the move to the Dura Ace cassette. It was just too much money and I am not so interested in just shedding grams. I can eat one less hamburger and lose weight for that!!

$500 is less than what I spent for sure. Sounds like a great deal to me. I think you will be pleased.

Thanks for the response!! Did you have the DA double or triple? I am contemplating going from the Ultegra triple to the DA triple. I certainly like the idea of precise and smooth shifting. I find the Ultegra is pretty good in that regard, but if the DA is even better, I would probably enjoy it all the more!

Re: the price. Yeah, I thought that it is an especially good bargain and I don't know if I can find anything else that will be as big a bang for the buck.

Interested in your thoughts!

good carbon forks aside, carbon bits are a poor investment.

a wheelset is a good place to start, taking rotational weight off the bike, but...

it sounds like:

a) you have a pretty decent bike already

and

b) the money is burning a hole in your pocket and may lead to impulse purchasing of stuff you don't really need

why not ride for a while longer and determine where you think your bike needs improvement, as opposed to asking others who know nothing of your riding habits or style.




Now there is good solid advice!



Olds

I made a similar upgrade earlier in the season from older Ultegra equipment to mostly Dura Ace stuff. I have found that there is a big difference. The shifting is a lot more precise and smooth. I did not make the move to the Dura Ace cassette. It was just too much money and I am not so interested in just shedding grams. I can eat one less hamburger and lose weight for that!!

$500 is less than what I spent for sure. Sounds like a great deal to me. I think you will be pleased.

I upgraded from 2003 Ultegra double to 2004 DA 10 (double, of course) and am VERY happy with the upgrade. Net cost (sold Ultegra on ebay - only had 100 miles on it) was around $600 since I got a great deal on the DA 10. Buddy of mine did the installation.

Shifting is much smoother and more accurate, and much less noise coming from the rear derailler and chain etc.

i should note that last winter i upgraded portions of my 5 year old ultegra (rear derailleur, casette, levers, chain) to DA9, and i'm quite pleased with the results. the parts, when purchased with a nashbar winter sale and 20% discount coupon, were absolutely dirt cheap and the shifting is worlds better.

I upgraded from 2003 Ultegra double to 2004 DA 10 (double, of course) and am VERY happy with the upgrade. Net cost (sold Ultegra on ebay - only had 100 miles on it) was around $600 since I got a great deal on the DA 10. Buddy of mine did the installation.

Shifting is much smoother and more accurate, and much less noise coming from the rear derailler and chain etc.

Markedoc brings up a good point. Don't forget to factor in the cost of installation.

I have 1 bike with Ultegras and 1 with DA's and the DA's amazes me everytime I take it out. The shifting is incredible. Mind you, I'm one of those people that don't buy into the hype that because it cost more, it will work better. I loved the Ultegras before I got the DA. I actually had my bike spec'ed with Ultegra but changed my mind at the last minute. Anyway, I have no regrets going with the DA's.

If you do upgrade, keep the Ultegra BB. What they say about the Ultegra BB being superior to DA is true. My brother had to replace his DA BB with Ultegra BB after only 3 months of riding. I'm sure I'll have to replace mine soon too.

If you do upgrade, keep the Ultegra BB. What they say about the Ultegra BB being superior to DA is true. My brother had to replace his DA BB with Ultegra BB after only 3 months of riding. I'm sure I'll have to replace mine soon too.

Stupid Question - what is the problem with the DA BB? I have a click I can't seem to get rid of - now you have me wondering.

the Dura Ace 7700 (9 speed) and below (i.e. not the new integrated 10 speed BB, the jury is still out on that, but it appears to be holding up) are notoriously poorly crafted components and it seems like just about everyone burns through them at alarming rates.

my ultegra BB lasted from summer of 98 to early 04 with zero maintenance except the occasional grease on the threads when i'd remove it so i could apply frame saver. it probably went 30k miles with no problems at all. not bad for a $25 component.

i trashed one DA BB fairly quickly on another bike i owned, and i've seen and heard of many more than have bitten the dust prematurely.

get some video games.

Stupid Question - what is the problem with the DA BB? I have a click I can't seem to get rid of - now you have me wondering.

I can't speak on the technologies of the DA BB, but my brother had a similar problem. It made all kind of noises. I replaced his with a Ultegra BB and it all went away.

Actually, a mechanic friend of mine told me that I will be having problems with the DA BB and suggested that I go with the Ultegra when I do replace it. I'm just waiting for it to die.

I have the DA 9 speed double. Went from the Ultegra 9 SP double as well. Triple DA should be as great as the double.

In terms of BB, the Ultegra is a sealed component. It is designed to be used and to be thrown away. The DA BB can be rebuilt cost effectively. Now, I have not had any BB problems to date with the DA BB, but I just have about 500 miles on it so far.

Having an alternate wheelset is a great idea as well. But for me, the shifting from DA is so nice and precise - especially going up hills (you know, when you should have already shifted.....). For me there was a huge difference in performance. More important to me than an alternative set of wheels. Priorities.....

I did not go with the DA cranks. I put the FSA pro team cranks on. I have DA FD, RD, Shifters, chain, and BB. Ultegra 12-25 cassette. The DA was double the price and out of stock, so I went Ultegra.

Brakes are Ultegra.

It works for me!

Well, I don't know if I can really afford it, but I may have been bitten by the upgrade bug!

Seriously, if I put money into the bike, I want to be sure that I do so wisely. Would I be better off putting some or all of the $500 into say, a new wheelset? or a different handlebar? or a carbon seatpost?

Looking for the most bang for the buck given my current set-up.

Matt

A good mutual fund.