MichaelJH

I have figured out which frame I want and now am choosing between Shimano mechanical Dura Ace or Shimano Ultegra Di2. Outfitting the bike in either , the prices are very close.
I am coming from old school Dura Ace circa 1990 so either is obviously an upgrade.
I have read that a lot of riders try Di2 and would never go back to mechanical , but I certainly have an infinty for Dura Ace. I have ridden it for 20 plus years and it has been fantastic. I also prefer the finish and look of Dura Ace compared to the Ultrega and it weighs considerably less that the Ultegra Di2.
I am especially interested in hearing from people that have ridden both and their take on them.

Barrettscv 

Visit your local bike shop and test ride digital.

WalksOn2Wheels

I have ridden Di2 both Ultegra and Dura Ace a handful of times on shop bikes, but not for an extended period. I own a Domane with Dura Ace 11 speed mechanical and love it. Di2 removes most of the human error and shifts flawlessly every time, but at the same time, the mechanical DA is freaking amazing.

I don't know of any customer that purchased a Di2 bike and didn't like it. For myself, I guess this is my retrogrouch turning point. I'll be 50 and hanging on to mechanical shifting when they no longer make top end mechanical groups and I'll be yelling at all the "kids" about how "back in my day, men shifted their gears, they didn't push buttons!"

Actually, that's not true. I'll probably give in one day. But if I were going to own only one "fast" bike, I want it to be mechanical because I don't want another battery to think about. And I don't want to run out of charge one day because I was careless and get stuck in a stupid gear 15-20 miles away from home. This is all purely personal and many folks manage to own Di2 bikes without ever running out of battery.

All that said, Di2 is amazing, but so is DA 11 speed (And I agree it looks better than the Ultegra). I suggest you go and test ride to see for yourself. That will be the only way to decide what will work best for you.

noodle soup

I would go with Dura-Ace, but neither is a bad choice. I've used both, and would rather save the weight by keeping things mechanical.

DA looks much better too.

milkbaby

Philosophically, I stick with mechanical because I understand the basic principles of how it works and enjoy being able to service it when needed. Electronic shifting is a black box to me, it doesn't seem like an open book that I can read when something goes wrong. Also, I am not a fan of recharging stuff, for example, having to charge my cell phone is annoying to me.

On the other hand, everybody I know that has electronic shifting enjoys it. They say it's easy and that they shift more often than when they ride mechanical. Personally, I shift any time I feel it's necessary, doesn't matter if it's mechanical shifting. If you don't shift because your bike's shifting performance is not good, then that's a problem with using a sub-par mechanic (whether that's you or a shop mechanic).

FeltF2Tarmac

No comment on Dura Ace but I ride Ultegra Di2. It is pretty amazing stuff. I could go either way as far as preference. I own 5800 105 on my Tarmac and enjoy the mechanical aspect and enjoy the ride for what it is, old and familiar as far as function goes. Electronic is great as well. I have Sprint shifters and as they are I can up/down shift with a slight movement of thumb. Versus more movement and lever swing with fingers on mechanical. I also like being able to drop down almost the entire cassette by holding button down.
Obviously weight is down much more with Dura Ace and if that were a big issue mechanical is the answer. If I were to really go weight sweetie the Dura Ace hands down.
I just charged my battery on my bike yesterday and may need a charge early August. I charge it maybe 3 times a year. The battery level can be checked by holding down both r/l levers at same time. Control box lights up an if it needs a charge, it's pretty easy and charges pretty quick. I have not needed any adjustments and use two different sets of wheels with no issue.

Lazyass

Just get the best mechanical Campy group you can afford.

Campag4life

+1

Chandne

I have been mostly using Ultegra di2 and it is flawless and fast. The battery range is excellent too. On the new bike, I debated this but between Mech Dura Ace and Dura Ace di2. I talked to a lot of service techs and other riders too. The overall consensus was that di2 was the most trouble-free and easy-to-maintain group set. I just went Dura Ace di2 because my frame is a pretty high-end one and I wanted to stay as light as reasonably possible. I didn't initially think I would like the Ultegra di2 but it is so easy, smooth, fast, and has never needed adjusting in 3 years, except a minor one recently. It had started to be a bit noisy in one gear combo so it wasn't trimming perfectly. That said, mechanical Dura Ace is very highly regarded. I think I am just spoiled with electronic now.

Homebrew01

Chorus is nice

CliffordK

I'm holding out for the cortical implant version. No buttons to push.

bykemike 

What the heck is up with you guys ?

Sram Red 22 is ,I think, the lightest groupset available. If you go with the whole deal including the XG cassette and the 1090R chain, That is what I have on my Pinarello (Red 20) and I love it, the XG cassette is so light that when I received the package I thought the seller sent me an empty box.

noodle soup

the OP asked about 2 specific groupsets, and most people are answering the asked question.

timmbo

The thing is, both are great top of the line choices and adjusted properly they are both fabulous! If you can get them for the same price, I would personally do the mechanical Dura-Ace mainly because it is lighter. Maybe a stupid reason, but for me that would do it I guess.

bykemike 

When did we start listening to OP's? ??