Road Cycling - 2005 Ultegra

My apologies if this is a repost. :)

New Ultegra: Lighter, stiffer, faster!

After the conspicuous revamp of the Shimano Dura-Ace components last year, it’s Ultegra’s turn now to get an extreme make-over. Ultegra has been remodelled into a completely new, high-end road racing group set. It’s stiffer, more ergonomic and faster for even more pleasure on the road. And despite adding a tenth cog to the cassette, the new group is lighter than the previous 9- speed model.

New Ultegra features HOLLOWTECH II technology, that integrates the crankset and bottom bracket into one single component, offering an incredible power transfer while saving weight at the same time. Introduced into the Dura-Ace group last year, it was generally considered as one of the biggest improvements in bicycle technology in the last few years. Lance Armstrong (US Postal), Jan Ullrich (T-Mobile), Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) and many others proved its benefits over and over again in the past few months. Now integrated in Ultegra at a more affordable price level so everybody can be a winner.

The Ultegra crankset will be available in both a double (52-39 / 53-39) and a triple version (52-39-30). The redesigned Dual Control Levers feature a more ergonomic shape and have an arced travel that allows fast and intuitive shifting. The dual pivot brakes incorporate an easy toe-in adjustment mechanism for squeal-free stops and quick setup. New brake pads offer improved stopping power and 100 percent greater durability. Furthermore, the groupset includes a lightweight aluminum seatpost that offers single-bolt adjustment and the hubs have an improved sealing system and ultra smooth rotation due to super polished ball races. The rigidity of the front derailleur is increased by 20 percent compared to the previous version for a quick and accurate response.

Another important advantage of this new component group is the broad range of 10-speed cassette sprocket choices. Casettes 11- 23, 12-23, 12-25 and 12-27 are compatible with both 9 and 10- speed Shimano freehubs and wheels. Besides these standard options, also four Junior cassettes are available (13-25, 14-25, 15-25, 16-27). These new cassette options will for sure be popular among a wide range of cyclists.

The Ultegra group also incorporates new pedals: PD-6610 SPD-SL pedals have been developed with a slightly wider pedal body surface compared to PD-R600, and the colour matches the new Ultegra group.

The new Ultegra blends race-proven technology with ergonomic perfection, for performance you can feel.

The new Ultegra group will be available in the market from December 2004.

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Sweet! Good post!

I will have to say that the Ultegra cranks look better than the Shimano cranks. BTW, I thought they were dropping the Ultegra name. Did Shimano renounce that idea?

I will have to say that the Ultegra cranks look better than the Shimano cranks.

?? I guess you mean DA. I still like DA- looks better but they are similar. Alot of my buds ride DA9 rings on DA10 so it looks like the new Ultegra anyway.

?? I guess you mean DA. I still like DA- looks better but they are similar. Alot of my buds ride DA9 rings on DA10 so it looks like the new Ultegra anyway.

I'm sorry. You're right. I meant the DA10 cranks. I like the more blended look of the new Ultegra cranks over the blocky look of the Dura-Ace cranks. I also like the more traditional looking Ultegra rings rather than the solid looking ones on the Dura-Ace. However, I'm still lusting over the new Stronglight Pulsion crankset.

More picture here (http://happymtb.org/forum/read.php?2,55564) :D

how much do you think for the groupset

Do they make an threadless head-set yet?

Boy, I just bought Ultegra last year and it is already outdated. Oh well that's cycling. The new set looks nice but I will stick with mine for a while.

all i want for christmas is my fifty-two front teeth

I don't like the conservative look of the New Ultegra Crank.
The organiclook of the DA10is much better IMO.

Still, nice groupset!

I just ordered an '05 Specialized Roubaix which is supposed to come with an Ultegra rear Derailleur. I wonder if I'll get the updated one???

My only question is, when will Shimano update their cables to all aero like Campy's??? I don't care for the cables coming out the sides of the shifters. It just looks messy. If I were building up a frame that is one reason I would go with the Euro groups. After the coverage of the tour riders having their cables rerouted I'd bet Shimano is at least thinking about it.

My only question is, when will Shimano update their cables to all aero like Campy's??? I don't care for the cables coming out the sides of the shifters. It just looks messy. If I were building up a frame that is one reason I would go with the Euro groups. After the coverage of the tour riders having their cables rerouted I'd bet Shimano is at least thinking about it.

I too like the sleeker cable routing on the Campy Ergos. The internals of the Shimano shifters would need changing. It's probably not a trivial task. I agree that it's rather an eyesore though and makes for mounting things forward of the handlebar a little bit of a hassle. I had some trouble with my number plate during a recent ride.

man.. that seatpost is the sex !

jeff

Wow. I wonder if it's even worth the extra expense to go all the way up to DA-10 when I upgrade.

I too like the sleeker cable routing on the Campy Ergos. The internals of the Shimano shifters would need changing. It's probably not a trivial task. I agree that it's rather an eyesore though and makes for mounting things forward of the handlebar a little bit of a hassle. I had some trouble with my number plate during a recent ride.

partial solution to the ugly cable routing on STIs...http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2004/tour04/tech/?id=jul13-1

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2004/tour04/tech/jul13/zabel_bars.jpg

of course, youd have to shell out $60 for the nokon cable housing.

seen that but it can only be done with nokon cable housings though.
Personally Idon'tlike the cable routing of the Shimano shifters but they do work very smoothly, accurately and are very light to the touch. I'll bet the routing is responsible for a lot of that.
Ithink i'm going to try nokon with my Ergo's. Looks like it will be easier to bend and conform to the bends in the bars.

I too thought about the Nokon cable-trick but wasn't sure how it would effect shifting performance. I've also thought about sticking an Avid Rollamajig up against the shifter to get the bend in without disturbing shifting.

man.. that seatpost is the sex !

I dunno... looks kinda boring to me. As far as Shimano seatposts go, I think the best looking ones were the old Dura-Ace EX and AX posts. I also like the milled/fluted Campy and similar posts. The Miche Supertype Seatpost still gets my vote for the coolest looking post out there.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/images/miche%20seatpost.jpg

What's that black thing on the left crank arm? That doesn't look good. I too like the DA10 crank better. The finish seems to me to make the whole group plastic like and cheap looking. Reminds me of the Tiagra stuff's color now. Of course I would still buy it!

What's that black thing on the left crank arm? That doesn't look good. I too like the DA10 crank better. The finish seems to me to make the whole group plastic like and cheap looking. Reminds me of the Tiagra stuff's color now. Of course I would still buy it!

That's probably a reinforcement insert (possibly made of steel?) so that the interface to the spindle is a bit stronger instead of having the splines cut directly into the aluminum of the crankarm itself.

That's probably a reinforcement insert (possibly made of steel?) so that the interface to the spindle is a bit stronger instead of having the splines cut directly into the aluminum of the crankarm itself.

looks like a simple plastic/rubber dustcap to me...

it's the plastic cap used to pull the crank arm onto the axle before you tighten the pinch bolts.

I'm building my fisrt road bike this year and my dealer has the full Ultegra gruppo ordered for me so I'm pleased it is getting such praise from the cycling world. I have ridden Dura-Ace 9s previously, so I'm hoping for a similar experience from the new Ultegra. Any thoughts about how it will feel compared to DA9?

I thought they were going to make an Ultegra 10 speed group this year?

Doesnt have the shine of the D/A.

Here's what I'm running on my road bike now: Dura Ace 10 spd derailleurs front and rear, Shimano 600 brakes circa 1996 with Dura Ace pads, Dura-Ace cables/routings, Ultegra 6500 9spd shifters/brake levers, Dura-Ace 9 speed crankset, Ultegra BB, Dura-Ace 9spd cassette. Now that Ultegra 10spd is available I may get some Ultegra 10spd cranks, shifters, and cassette and run 10speeds! Then I'll trickle-down to the 9speed stuff to another bike...

About re-routing Shimano shifter cables (brake cables are under-handlebar tape already)... The shifter mechanism is part of the brake lever mechanism, as opposed to part of the brake lever body on Ergo units. With the Campy design it's easy to put both cables under the handlebar tape. On Shimano units the point where the cable exits that shifter also pivots with the brake lever, so it can't be routed another way. Shimano would have to re-design their units, and that could infringe on Campy design patents... I'm sure they're working on it, though!

how much do you think for the groupset

Colorado Cyclist has them in their latest catalog at 1157USD.

Great post! great pics....id give you eprops, but this isnt xanga.....

Anyone know the weight of the new components compared to the old Ultegra?

Nice, glad I just upgraded to the 04 stuff - yuk yuk

I really like the look of the new hoods/shifters/levers(?). They make the old ones which look just like 105, Tiagra and Sora look very old hat now.

I still have the 105 shifters, I bought the 04 Ultegras but I couldn't be stuffed changing them as the 105's do the job real well, so ultegras went back on ebay.