Plainsman

I tried the search function, but I keep getting an error. Can someone tell me the real differences? I'm sure Ultegra is a bit lighter, but other than that? Looking at new tri bikes, and many have the new 105. With DA bar end shifters, is there really any reason to pay extra for the Ultegra Cranks and derailleurs versus 10 speed 105? If this was covered in another thread that you know of please let me know. Thanks.

idcruiserman

How much more?

At probikekit Ultegra groupset is $15 more than 105.

blackjack51

Only a bit indeed. Ultegra groupsets are only 12 grams lighter than 105 groupsets (according to Shimano's claimed weights and excluding botttom bracket cups and cables).

I guess this is why Shimano came up with the Ultegra SL version.....

rog

I think the Ultegra crank is supposed to be stiffer than the 105, but I'm just repeating what I've read here, so it's just hearsay.

texascyclist

If you are talking a significant difference in money, I would say go with the 105 group and spend that money on better wheels or better frame in that order.

80vette

I have bikes with 9-speed ultegra vs one with 9-speed 105.
I can tell a large diff between the two.

Yesterday I was test riding some new bikes. 10 speeds.
I could tell no difference between 105 and ultegra.

cedricbosch

They're the same unless you race, move on.

kenny!

I have all 105 except for an ultegra rear dérailleur and it all works fine for me with the exception of the front dérailleur. I'm always messing with it trying to get it set up right and never have much luck. Not sure if the thing is defective or what but I have an ultegra on the way to replace it. I wouldn't blame it on being a 105 part since everything else works great.

I was considering getting the Dura Ace groupset from probikekit, but realized the stuff I have works good enough and it'd just be a waste of money.

I however have never ridden a full dura ace or ultegra equipped bike so I might not know what I'm missing out on.

SaddleBags

My TT bike has DA bar end shifters, Ultegra cranks and 105 F/R derailleurs. It shifts like my full Ultegra setup on my crit bike. As mentioned above, get the 105 equipped bike and put the extra dough toward race wheels.

tomoscotto

there is a tiny difference in weight, nm though and the jockey wheels in the rear der have sealed bearing id go 4 105 anyway i reckon 105 looks better apart from the cranks which have ugly traditional chainrings

mustang1

I wonder why anyone would buy 105. Maybe Shimano need to drop one of their product line.

lennyk

yeah, it has to be pure marketing, i doubt the tooling and manufacturing costs are much difference for the various groupsets

zacster

It is probably cheaper for the bike manufacturers to spec 105 over Ultegra. For retail the difference isn't so great.

In any case, I have a bike with the 2005 105 9s on it and I'm not impressed. Maybe the newest is better.

Plainsman

Could you clarify? I do race (triathlons) so every bit counts, but reading several of these comments, it seems like any additional money would be better spent on wheel upgrades vs the groupset. In any case, the options to consider would look something like this:

DA bar end shifters
105 RD and FD
Shimano R700 crankset

vs.

DA bar end shifters
Ultegra RD and FD
Shimano R700 crankset

No real difference (other than cost and very few grams, and the latter I can more cost effectively remove from my own stores) seems to be the majority opinion I take it?

LostBoizdown

It's sort of deceptive, and happens in the drumstick industry and I'm sure in others as well. The machines and tools and all that may be exactly the same, but for the higher-end products more time is spent making them and there are tighter quality controls. For example, drumsticks going to those with sponsorships are turned more slowly in the lathe, creating a higher-quality drumstick; the pairs going to the stores are run through much more quickly to create more per period of time.

I imagine the same thing is true for many industries. So to the OP - if it's only 15$ more, why are you asking? It's 15$...give up a weeks worth of snacks or w/e.

kenny!

My new Ultegra front derailleur showed up today. After inspecting it I was kinda skeptical as the mechanical portion of the derailleur looked identical to the 105, the only noticable difference was with the plates. The difference being that it doesn't look as nice. It's metallic grey as opposed to the 105's chrome. That I don't really care about, but thought the emchanical similarities are curious.

So I installed the thing and the difference in shifting between the big and little ring is like night and day. The 105 always was a pos and that leaves me wondering, are 105 derailleurs junk or was my first derailleur just defective? I've heard others say they thought their 105 groupset shifted poorly, but my 105 with Ultegra derailleurs works fine for me.

cmh

It is possible that the derailleurs look exactly the same, but the cage on the Ultegra is made from a stiffer material than the 105 and that makes a difference in performance. I'm just speculating, but parts with identical shape aren't always identical.

shogun17

105 takes a little more maintenance to keep it perfect, but if you do this, it runs perfectly. Cheaper too.

Scorer75

to the OP, what's the difference in price?

geneman

If you're doing tri's, you should care first and foremost about being aero. Invest in the aero helmet, get the shoe covers, pay the money for a proper fitting by a coach, and then pony up for the deep dish delights. 105 is not going to slow you down just as ultegra is not gonna make you more aero.

Mark