bikr13

I just wanted to get some opinions on something a friend of mine mentioned recently.

He said that he would rather have Ultegra 6700 instead of Sram Red. I was a little surprised by the comment thinking that is a little crazy IMO.

Is there anybody that agrees with Ultegra 6700 being better than Sram Red?

If so, please explain.

kimconyc

No, but I'd rather have '09+ Rival over 6700; there, I said it.

"Give me Di2 or give me death." - Bike Weenie

kimconyc

I haven't tried out 6700, only 7900 but I assume 7900 is better.

datlas 

I don't get that.

But it's a free country.

kimconyc

Or you can do what I did and go SRAMano; SRAM Red with 7900 crank.

You will receive hate from both sides. Actually, the Campy guys will hate no matter what...

foresthill

That's just kind of silly. I'm sure 6700 is fine, but Red is usually compared favorably to 7900 and SR11

thegunner

wow is pcad your dad or did you really just ask if 6700 is better than red?

there's a reason most of the pro peloton rides on sram red you know...

datlas 

logic fail.

For the most part, the pro peloton rides what the sponsor tells them to ride.

thegunner

and their primary sponsors are going to put them substandard gear if they get paid for it? come on, their primary interest is in winning. otherwise, why would the shimano people be running 7900 and not 6700?

datlas 

My recollection is that in the recent past, plenty of pro teams used (and likely still use) ultegra on their backup bikes. I am not saying 6700 is better than 7900 (although didn't PCAD, in his wisdom, choose 6700 for his new build??), but rather pointing out that just because the pro's use a certain manufacturer or product line doesn't necessarily mean that one is "better" or "the best."

patentcad

Incorrect. I have both. 6700 is more refined than 7900. My LBS agrees. He thinks the idiots @ Shimano used 7900 as a Beta Version of 6700.

So it goes.

Don't get me wrong, 7900 is fine, but I have been VERY impressed with 6700 over my first 60 miles on it (plenty of hills to try it out). VERY nice, solid, technically advanced group for $800 or whatever it is they're selling it for. On the other hand Red is much lighter and the Red fanatics love it. The new Ultegra braking is just OUTstanding, as is the 7900, by FAR the best bicycle calipers I've ever used.

Yaniel

wow is sloth not here yet?!?

kimconyc

Up until this year, Cervelo Test Team was on 7800; AFAIK, they are using SRAM for 2010.

Last year in the TdF, most of the Agritubel squad was running SRAM Force.

Boonen was running regular Record in Qatar (https://velonews.competitor.com/2010/...kx-bike_104808). Are you seriously saying he would have defended had he been on SR11? Was it the Merckx (Pinarello)? Was it the "substandard" wheels with only DT Swiss 240s hubs?

kimconyc

I think he's a SRAM rep.

Too bad I switched to SRAM pre-Lance.

StanSeven

Record, Dura Ace, and Red are all excellent as well as the lower equivalents. They switch gears and brake. The pro's ride what their team says to ride and the choice makes absolutely no difference in their performance.

patentcad

If Sloth is actually an Sram rep, and I was his boss, and I learned of his conduct on this public forum, I would fire him on the spot. I can't really think of a more unprofessional thing to do than slam the competition in such a sophomoric fashion on the web. That's pathetic.

That kid should STFU and GTFU (Grow the F Up).

slothlike

This sounds familiar because I said it already. 7900 was rushed out to because Shimano was losing a lot of the market share to Sram. And they FINALLY decided to hide the cables, I wonder why?

The main complaint about 7900 and 6700 is sloppy shifting and with the shifters being the most operated part of the component group by the rider, it should be the best part of a group. 7900 is WAY TOO expensive to not be the best shifting group. My 7800 is super smooth and there ain't a reviewer out there professional or average user that doesn't say this.

I am not saying it is horrible but Sram Rival let alone Force and RED, is lighter and cheaper than Shimano's offerings.In fact, Rival is Ultegra's direct competition and beats it on most categories if not all. Sram Force is even better and Red is untouchable from a performance to weight perspective.

I will premptively say that this IS a cycling forum to have such debates and you can criticize me all you want personally, but I offer my informed opinion which is only validated by Sram's revenues. Shimano better up their game.

Nachoman

Not getting into the SRAM versus Shimano debate, but I totally agree with this part.

rangerdavid

ok, that settles is.






someone give me a Red gruppo. I'll have it installed and I'll tell you which is best.

slothlike

My Sram stuff is more "mechanical" feeling than my 7800 but the Sram shifts faster, more accurate and requires less adjustment. Plus, it is lighter which is the main objective in all of cycling equipment production. Plus the ergonomics are better for me with Sram. My 7800 hoods are a little uncomfortable. I liked my 7700 9 speed hoods much better back in the day. I prefer Double Tap as well, it just feels more natural a movement.

a_thomasmr23

I think that group price may factor in pro choice. You know that getting 10-15 groups for the team 100-200 bucks is going to make a big difference if there isn't all that much performance difference.

Chandne

I'm pretty impressed by the 6700 so far. That's all I can really say. It is flawless and smooth (unless you wear huge gloves and eff up the shift). I had the option of a Force/Red groupset at the same price and primarily went 6700 because I didn't like thumb shifters, but I may try it someday.

AngryScientist 

thumbshifters?

Chandne

Goddammit, that was Campy. WTF was I thinking?

slothlike

Well, I am not a Sram rep and I am not "slamming the competition" in any way just because I am debating on a cycling forum the differences between groupos. I see my posts as more informative with the potential of actually learning something rather than most of your narcicistic, histrionic, attention ***** seeking posts. 37,130 posts with 37,129 of them about how great you are and how perfect all of your gear is, and I am the one that needs to grow up?