Road Cycling - Ultegra vs. Dura-Ace

What's the Practical advantage of a Dura-Ace build kit over the cheaper ultegra build kit....there is a big difference in price. Is Dura-Ace quality really that better?

Some people say so. But the consensus I have seen is no. Dura-Ace uses lighter stuff and that is about it. Of course, if you are in the Tour de France and doing a mountain stage losing a lb and a half is well worth the expense. But for the rest of us the little weight advantage is not significant. I think the majority of people who buy Dura Ace get it because it is "top of the line" and it impresses them and their friends.

I would bet that if Shimano introduced an Ultra Dura Ace that was cost say 50% more then Dura Ace and was nothing but Ultegra stamped "ultra Dura Ace", many people would go out and buy it and junk their Dura Ace for the new "top of the line". That would be assuming that the industry followers did not spill the beans.

I have always ridden 105. Shimano 105 with a little maintenance lasts for more miles than most people ever put on a bike. It works fine and is a little heavier then Ultegra and Dura Ace.

If you want to save your cash, save your cash. If having top of the line is important to you, by all means get the top of the line. If it makes you happy, it is worth it.

Compared to many sports, cycling is pretty cheap. The difference between Dura Ace and Ultegra is cheap thrills but if the money is important to you, ultegra is perfectly functional and will give your good service.

Comparing 9-speed to 9-speed, the DA shifters operate much better than Ultegra. I've read that Ultegra bottom bracket is better, the DA bottom bracket doesn't last long before needing replacement.

I've used 5 Ultegra freewheels. And I found that Ultegra freewheel body has some problem, because around 6000km or 10000km usage, it becomes to give me dull shout.And I must wash inside the body by oil. To my good fortune, the body becoms sound by washing.

(Sorry for my poor ability to write english. (From NIPPON))

I've used 5 Ultegra freewheels. And I found that Ultegra freewheel body has some problem, because around 6000km or 10000km usage, it becomes to give me dull shout.And I must wash inside the body by oil. To my good fortune, the body becoms sound by washing.

(Sorry for my poor ability to write english. (From NIPPON))
hajimemasite :)

anyways,
i was under the assumption that over time, a dura-ace component becomes relabelled ultegra after X number of years, and dura-ace recieves a new infusion of technology or upgrades or what not? so the current ultegra would be very similar to dura-ace of a few years back...?

melloboy

Comparing 9-speed to 9-speed, the DA shifters operate much better than Ultegra.

I'll second that!


i was under the assumption that over time, a dura-ace component becomes relabelled ultegra after X number of years, and dura-ace recieves a new infusion of technology or upgrades or what not? so the current ultegra would be very similar to dura-ace of a few years back...?

I bought my DA upgrade components in '98. 2 months ago I rode a friends brand new Trek carbon something or another. The first thing I noticed was the shifters felt clunky.

Therefore, I think your assumption is false.

-murray

p.s. FWIW, I paid $90 to upgrade the shifters on my forthcoming tandem to DA. After riding my friends bike, I'm glad I did!

Dura Ace does not become ultegra. The technology will trickle down but the build quality and finish stay at the ultegra level. Personally, I ride ultegra because i just can't justify dura ace. If i was racing more maybe it would make sense but until someone pays for my equipment i will stick to ultegra. I will be ugrading my groupset when the new '05 ultegra comes out.

G'day,

105 is a very fine Gruppo that is better than most folks will ever need for commuting, touring etc & as a beginner to racing. Serious racers will require a little more 'precision' in shifting & would find ultegra to be a 'quantum' leap forward. The difference between Ultegra & DA is less pronounced. I have Ultgra on my training bike & DA 10 on my race bike. The differences are minimal. The DA 10 shifts a little more 'crisply' (but it is brand new) & the brakes are superior to anything else on the market, (sorry record, these have taken braking up another notch!), other than that, I can't say I've noticed a great deal of difference. If you want DA, buy it, but Ultegra is perfectly good enough for 99% of people racing (& to good for 99% of people who aren't racing!),

cheers,

Hitchy

ah...it's the technology that trickles down...not the actual components themselves :) makes sense :) thanks for clearing that up

melloboy

If you want DA, buy it, but Ultegra is perfectly good enough for 99% of people racing (& to good for 99% of people who aren't racing!)

I never understood this comment of "you don't need DA if you're not racing". (I know you didn't necessarily say this, Hitchy, but I've heard it before.)

So what if I do or don't race? I happen to enjoy biking more if my equipment performs better. I could buy the bike Lance rode in the Tour for the cost of a decent used boat and still have enough left over for a bike trip to Italy :rolleyes:

And I'll bet I get more use out of my bike than most boats get used :D

-murray

I never understood this comment of "you don't need DA if you're not racing". (I know you didn't necessarily say this, Hitchy, but I've heard it before.)

So what if I do or don't race? I happen to enjoy biking more if my equipment performs better. I could buy the bike Lance rode in the Tour for the cost of a decent used boat and still have enough left over for a bike trip to Italy :rolleyes:

And I'll bet I get more use out of my bike than most boats get used :D

-murray

G'day Murray,

I guess its all about cost/ benefit, as stated before, I have DA10, but if you're not in a position that you absolutely must have the latest, lightest, 'crispest changing' you beaut go faster bits, Ultegra is perfectly capable of fulfilling most peoples needs for racing. Similarly, 105 is more than adequate for commuting, touring type applications. If you want DA, go for it. I think most peoples view is that you (& me for that matter!), probably don't need it & that the cost v benefit sum probably doesn't add up....(but DA 10 is a very, very smick gruppo!),

cheers,

Hitchy

dura-ace is worth it. the ultegra shifts are delayed a second or so and dura-ace is precise. bultegra BB's are more durable because of the way they are machined....

> ultegra shifts are delayed a second or so

This is not true. I have DA8 on the old bike and Ult9 on the new bike. Even comparing DA9 to Ult9, if there is ANY delay, it is NOT a whole second.

> ultegra BB's are more durable

This is absolutely true. I know some Ironman TAs who have dumped their DA BBs for Ults.

I think the bottom line is ... if you can afford it, DA is nice to have. If you are counting pennies, better to get a better wheelset with an Ult build rather than moderate wheels with a DA build.

Best.

I look at it this way....there are very few, if any, things I own that can be considered "best in their class". Not the cars I drive, the home I live in or even the pen's I write with. I would love to have a top of the line Lamborghini or even a showroom condition classic '65 Vette. But these things are unattainable.

A $10,000 bike, while very impractical, is not necessarily unattainable. Dura Ace components, while expensive and certainly not necessary, are not out of the realm of financial possibility at this point in my life. And while I may never live up to the performance level that Dura Ace represents, it doesn't matter. Sometimes, you just want to own the best.

BTW - all my bikes are Ultegra but I keep thinking of DA.

55/Rad

Well said, Rad & Freak :)

-murray

bump