djnzlab1

HI,
I ve noticed that many of the Higher end Bikes Come with the Dura Ace Componets,are the Numbers related to release date or models, I ve seen 7700's,7800's, and the new 7900-ss
Are the 105's almost as good as the Dura ace , and where does the Ultegra components fit in this mix.
Rather confused about what it all means.
Doug

CCrew

In order, bad to good:
A050
2200
Sora
Tiagra
105
Ultegra
Dura Ace

The 7700/7800/7900 are series, not really year of release. As Shimano improves they'll increment the series or part #. a 465 hub may become a 466 and so on.

Regards, and Happy Holidays!
Roger

bikinfool

Further to what Ccrew said (although I wouldn't use the phrase bad to good particularly, maybe adequate to top of the line). The SS stands for a short cage, GS would be for a medium cage, SGS is for a long cage...

A great place to determine stuff about Shimano group spec is techdocs.shimano.com

CCrew

I dunno if "adequate" covers a Sora FD, I'm more prone to stick with "bad"

Really though, all kidding aside. I'll agree that most all the Shimano stuff is "adequate" as bikinfool said. And personally from 105 up I don't see night and day differences - and Sora/Tiagra mixes work for prolly millions that ride on a recreational basis.

-R

djnzlab1

HI,
That was good info for me,when and if I get a new bike thats set up my size I can relax if its ulterga derailers.
Doug

bikinfool

There's not much to a front derailleur, one of the least performance oriented items on a bike, especially for a two ring setup.

Ultegra is very good quality, no problems at all there (often the equivalent of Dura Ace in performance and weight at a significant savings). I've got Ultegra stuff that I've been using for a very long time and it still works great after what 17 years now?

well biked

Shimano 600 maybe. The name Ultegra wasn't used until the late '90's.

CACycling

Don't forget Ultegra SL. It falls between Ultegra and DA. As for Sora, I've got a Sora FD on my commuter (triple) and it shifts quite nicely.

rmfnla

I'd be VERY surprised if you could tell the difference between Sora & Dura Ace FDs if you shifted blindfolded and all other parts were the same.

z415

^I've used 105, Sora, and Tiagra and the shift feel is almost the same, but the noise is a little different - I do have perceptive ears though...

kaliayev

Tiagra FDs are ok, but to me the RDs leave a lot to be desired.

z415

^The jump from Tiagra to 105 RDs is astronomical.

Pocko

Lighter weight, and exceptional durability are usually the factors that make the high-end gizmos pricey... which pro riders need, who clock thousands of kms just in training alone. Plus racers just can't afford to waste all the investment in time, money and training effort, and be forced out of a long awaited race, due to gear failure.

Weekend warriors should be fine with the "adequate" range. As far as operational efficiency is concerned... Shimano has already sorted that out many years ago and much of their race-technology has already trickled down to the economy range.

.