AbsoluteZ3RO

If you had the choice of two bikes that were identical in every way except one was full Ultegra and one was full Dura-ace, how much extra would you pay for the dura-ace bike?

What if the difference in price was 400? Would that be an easy choice or something you wouldn't think was worth it? (assuming groupsets were brand new)

elgalad

400 is too much.

ILUVUK

$200...simply because I'm not a racer. The bling factor is nice, but no more than $200 (maybe only $150) nice. Weight within a couple pounds really isn't an issue for me. Therefore, even the $150 to $200 I would consider paying would probably be too much.

AbsoluteZ3RO

Is weight the only real benefit to the Dura-ace group?

Bike enthusiast

Check out this thread:

https://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=360085


$400 is on the high side - the main difference to me is the crank and shifters (which are not included in the article )....

texascyclist

I have to admit that it has been tough to have the second to best group.

AbsoluteZ3RO

saving the 400 would allow me to get a better frame so I'm leaning towards the ultegra. However, I'd hate to miss out on the superior crank, and better shifters (if they are in fact better in some way) if they make a big difference.

I'm guessing they don't, but thought I'd get some feedback.

ILUVUK

I don't really know. There are a lot more knowledgeable people on BF than I am. Every 3rd person that responds to this question seems to have a different response. I've ridden 105, Ultegra, and Dura Ace, and frankly, I'm not experienced enough to tell much of a difference. I'm more of a recreational rider and maybe the benefits of Dura Ace would be noticed more by racers. Beats me.

munkyv22

$400 is whatever. Yeah, I'd pay it. I'd pay $600 for Record over Ultegra.

dauphin

3 cents

Edonis13

call me crazy (and im sure some of you will), ide almost prefer ultegra, because i dont belong on a dura-ace equiped bike. but to answer your question, around 200 would be too good to pass up.

do-well

I'm a poor graduate student, so I don't own bikes with Ultegra or DA.

If I had the $400 to consider spending and was interested in DA, I'd have a better grasp of what I am buying than it seems you do. Unfortunately, the value of DA/Ultegra/Campy/SRAM/etc. question seems to be all about personal preference.

If I were you, I'd only pay the added cost if I were not short-changing some other area. An upgraded frame(although I don't know the specifics) seems like a better idea than a few saved grams and added bling.

Bike enthusiast

+1

A better frame or better wheelset would benefit you the most.

Velo Dog

I don't know that I'd pay ANYTHING extra for it. Ultegra works really well, and for the kind of riding I do, the bling factor of DA is actually a disincentive. Dura Ace on my bike would be saying, "Here goes another middle-aged guy with more money than brains."
What's the deal with the DA crank that makes it better than Ultegra? The Sugino XD on my Rambouillet does everything you could ever ask a crank to do, and it cost $110,

elgalad

Clearly you've never ridden on a DA crank. The bottom bracket is so incredibly smooth, not to mention the fact that it's > 100g lighter, which is a significant amount of weight...if you race.

jkizzle

are you good enough that 400 dollars worth of weight will help you win?

EffSizzle

I'm trying to understand what you meant by, "I don't belong on a Dura-Ace equiped bike."

Do you have a sense of self worth or is this an attempt at humility?

Edonis13

im slow and poor.

redirekib

I wanted a DA RD for a bike I was upgrading. I had an Ultegra RD on another bike so I replaced that one with DA and used the Ultegra on the other one.

But to answer your question..$200 and if I was drinking..$400.

crydee

who cares if you deserve it or not if you like it get it (money not withstanding) and if it makes you want to ride more because you're riding DA so be it

I'd pay $300 more if I was in the market for DA

tarwheel 

Personally I would opt for Ultegra. I could think of many more things I would rather spend my money on that upgrading to Dura Ace. I've got three bikes equipped with Ultegra and Dura Ace parts. I notice no improvement in functionality for the DA parts compared to Ultegra. In fact, my DA shifters quit working after just one year; I bought these to replace Ultegra shifters that had lasted about 8 years, 20,000 miles.

The same question comes up often with regard to Chorus and Record. People buy Record or DA because they just have to have "the best," or the lightest, or they just want to impress others. Record/DA function no better than Chorus/Ultegra, and probably are less durable because their component materials are lighter and more fragile.

FIVE ONE SIX

i would personally save the $400, and go with Ultegra, because i don't need DA. if you're smart, and take the advice of a few other people here, you would invest the $400 in a better frame or better wheelset, since those will benefit you the most...

dcbikeguy

Win what? This ain't the racing forum.

Besides, he still hasn't bought a bike.

curiouskid55

I've owned bikes with both and for me it's DA all the way every day. The DA crank cannot be beat, stiff, light, durable, bearings are far superior to th Ultegra set . The brifters are a completely different shape, I hate the Ultegra profile. The DA brifters operate much smoother and precisely than Ultegra. The DA brakes are stiffer and have superior stopping power. And both the derailleurs say Dura Ace on them so that makes them better. $400 dollars more on a $4K bike not even a question.

Doid23

I wouldn't pay extra for DA. Not a racer, that amount of weight savings and increased stiffness don't really matter to me. Also, (and I think I'm in the minority), I don't like the aesthetics of the DA large chainring, I prefer the traditional look of the Ultegra, as well as the feel of the Ultegra hoods. But, to each his own.