Originally Posted by botto
partly depends on your bars.
+1
Ultegra 9 speeds have a long reach to the levers, but different bars will definitely affect the levers angle and reach to the lever. Deda 215 shallows are completly different in the bend to the 215 deeps for example, so brake lever position and angle will differ between the two bars.
One other thing. I had Shimano Ultegra 9 speed levers but changed to Campagnolo because the reach to the brake lever was too great on the bars I was using at the time. Actually, I totally crapped myself on a hairpinned decent in the wet because I couldn't grab a handful of brake lever.
I have no problem with Shimano equipment, I just couldn't get a workable compromise between brake reach and a comfortable position on the hoods. Apparently the Shimano 10 speed levers have a different reach and are better in this department.