Dura Ace or 105?
09-13-19, 08:35 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Lebanon (Liberty Hill), CT
Posts: 7,790
Bikes: CAAD 12, MASI Gran Criterium S, Colnago World Cup CX & Guru steel
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1444 Post(s)
Liked 833 Times
in
499 Posts
Dura Ace or 105?
GCN reports:
09-13-19, 06:38 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The banks of the River Charles
Posts: 1,553
Bikes: 2020 Seven Evergreen, 2019 Honey Allroads Ti, 2018 Seven Redsky XX, 2017 Trek Boon 7, 2014 Trek 520, 2006 Gary Fisher Montare
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 471 Post(s)
Liked 411 Times
in
245 Posts
Ultegra
Likes For Ghazmh:
09-13-19, 10:26 PM
#4
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 12,534
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 188 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4063 Post(s)
Liked 1,901 Times
in
1,225 Posts
I have a few older Dura Ace components, bits and pieces that came with project bikes. They're nice but I wouldn't go out of my way to put Dura Ace on my bikes, not on my budget. The various Ultegra, 105 and older 600 components I have are good enough for me and the rolling terrain I ride. I'm not strong enough and we don't have any serious climbs for a few grams here and there to matter. And I don't think I've ever worn out any bike component, so durability hasn't been a factor for me using mid-grade components.
09-13-19, 11:35 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,070
Bikes: Ridley Excalibur, Gazelle Champion Mondial, On-One Pompino, Specialized Rock Hopper
Mentioned: 66 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2616 Post(s)
Liked 2,073 Times
in
1,000 Posts
Originally Posted by Ghazmh
Ultegra
Likes For caloso:
09-14-19, 06:03 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: National City, CA
Posts: 587
Bikes: 1975 Albert Eisentraut, 1992 Bill Davidson, 2006 Moots Compact, 2007 KHS Solo-One, 2010 Van Dessel Drag Strip Courage, 2013 Alchemy Xanthus, 2016 Breadwinner Lolo, 2018 Moots VaMoots RSL, 2019 Chapter2 Tere Disc, 2020 Chapter2 Ao Limited Edition
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 31 Post(s)
Liked 23 Times
in
13 Posts
Shimano lineup details
09-14-19, 06:48 PM
#10
Heft On Wheels
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 2,893
Bikes: Specialized,Cannondale,Argon 18
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 790 Post(s)
Liked 393 Times
in
262 Posts
Ultegra is good stuff for the price! 105 is awesome value that works. DA is just too damn much cash IMO
Likes For sdmc530:
09-14-19, 09:21 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 21,827
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14226 Post(s)
Liked 5,273 Times
in
3,002 Posts
Another vote for Ultegra.
09-15-19, 06:32 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: SC
Posts: 1,400
Bikes: SuperSix Evo | Revolt
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 702 Post(s)
Liked 750 Times
in
392 Posts
Performance wise, there is zero difference, imo, between my r7020 and r8000 bikes (shifting that is, the hyd discs are def better, which is why I'm building a new road bike lol). But I can feel differences in the shifters (mainly, rough edges on the 105). For the new build, I went with r8020, I could justify $200 more over 105, but couldn't justify another $400 over that for DA. Plus, DA deserves a better frame. lol
09-15-19, 06:44 AM
#13
• —
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Land of Pleasant Living
Posts: 8,240
Bikes: Shmikes
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6322 Post(s)
Liked 2,811 Times
in
1,557 Posts
Anecdotal observation, but my 5800 takes noticeably less pressure to operate and is just as fast and sure as my 6800 and 7800 systems. All were set up professionally. The 6800 is on a bike with ultra-short chainstays and is very sensitive to chain alignment as a result. The 7800 bike is intermediate and the 5800 is very long.
09-15-19, 07:54 AM
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Lebanon (Liberty Hill), CT
Posts: 7,790
Bikes: CAAD 12, MASI Gran Criterium S, Colnago World Cup CX & Guru steel
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1444 Post(s)
Liked 833 Times
in
499 Posts
I have 3 road bikes and a cyclo-cross bike. The road bikes have 15 yr old 10sp Dura Ace, 10 sp SRAM Red, 11 sp 105 and the cross bike has 11 sp 105. The Dura Ace is amazing in that it is still so good. The SRAM is very tactile and shifts like a manual car as opposed to an automatic. The road 105 11 sp is very good and a great bargain. And the cross bike 105 is truly amazing. By far the smoothest and most quiet of the bunch. I like each one for different reasons. Just my experience.
09-15-19, 11:14 AM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 21,827
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14226 Post(s)
Liked 5,273 Times
in
3,002 Posts
Originally Posted by Rides4Beer
Performance wise, there is zero difference, imo, between my r7020 and r8000 bikes (shifting that is, the hyd discs are def better, which is why I'm building a new road bike lol). But I can feel differences in the shifters (mainly, rough edges on the 105). For the new build, I went with r8020, I could justify $200 more over 105, but couldn't justify another $400 over that for DA. Plus, DA deserves a better frame. lol
09-15-19, 12:00 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 29,801
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13053 Post(s)
Liked 5,512 Times
in
2,835 Posts
Fixie or forget it.
09-16-19, 07:46 AM
#17
Senior Member
Ultegra. DA if you can spend the extra $.
Also keep in mind that the expensive products aren't always the most reliable ones. Performance is not always correlated to reliability.
Also keep in mind that the expensive products aren't always the most reliable ones. Performance is not always correlated to reliability.
Last edited by eduskator; 09-16-19 at 08:23 AM.
09-16-19, 08:19 AM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: SC
Posts: 1,400
Bikes: SuperSix Evo | Revolt
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 702 Post(s)
Liked 750 Times
in
392 Posts
Originally Posted by Seattle Forrest
Agree about the brakes. Whatcha building?
09-16-19, 08:23 AM
#19
Senior Member
Ultegra, and skip the 2nd donut.
105, and skip the first donut.
I like donuts, but my budget (weight and wallet) won't allow me both Dura-ace *and* three donuts at the same time, so Ultegra it is.
105, and skip the first donut.
I like donuts, but my budget (weight and wallet) won't allow me both Dura-ace *and* three donuts at the same time, so Ultegra it is.
Likes For aliasfox:
09-16-19, 10:21 AM
#20
I eat carbide.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Elgin, IL
Posts: 21,243
Bikes: Lots. Van Dessel and Squid Dealer
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1062 Post(s)
Liked 686 Times
in
318 Posts
Ultegra.
You guys ever hear why Force AXS came out? One of the SRAM founders toured Europe and was amazed to find Ultegra at the pricepoint that it was at such an immensely high level of quality and performance. They've now tried to get there. Let's hope they keep trying to get closer.
You guys ever hear why Force AXS came out? One of the SRAM founders toured Europe and was amazed to find Ultegra at the pricepoint that it was at such an immensely high level of quality and performance. They've now tried to get there. Let's hope they keep trying to get closer.
__________________
PSIMET Wheels, PSIMET Racing, PSIMET Neutral Race Support, and 11 Jackson Coffee
Podcast - YouTube Channel
Video about PSIMET Wheels
Podcast - YouTube Channel
Video about PSIMET Wheels
Likes For Psimet2001:
09-16-19, 11:24 AM
#21
Bike Junkie
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: South of Raleigh, North of New Hill, East of Harris Lake, NC
Posts: 9,583
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Specialized Roubaix, Giant OCR-C, Specialized Stumpjumper FSR, Stumpjumper Comp, 88 & 92Nishiki Ariel, 87 Centurion Ironman, 92 Paramount, 84 Nishiki Medalist
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 56 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times
in
11 Posts
On my two main riders, I use DA and love it. On my rain bike and MUP rider I use 105 shifters with Ultegra crank and rear derailer. Truth be told, there's very little difference between the DA and 105 shifting.
But DA looks cool.
But DA looks cool.
__________________
Roccobike BF Official Thread Terminator
Roccobike BF Official Thread Terminator
Likes For roccobike:
09-17-19, 04:52 AM
#23
bike whisperer
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Melbourne, Oz
Posts: 9,101
Bikes: https://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=152015&p=1404231
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1150 Post(s)
Liked 424 Times
in
306 Posts
Originally Posted by Psimet2001
Ultegra.
You guys ever hear why Force AXS came out? One of the SRAM founders toured Europe and was amazed to find Ultegra at the pricepoint that it was at such an immensely high level of quality and performance. They've now tried to get there. Let's hope they keep trying to get closer.
You guys ever hear why Force AXS came out? One of the SRAM founders toured Europe and was amazed to find Ultegra at the pricepoint that it was at such an immensely high level of quality and performance. They've now tried to get there. Let's hope they keep trying to get closer.
__________________
Sheldon Brown's bike info ~~~ Park Tools repair help
Half-step triple, using double gear ~~~ 6400 STI rebuild walkthrough ~~~ Want 8/9/10s @126mm OLD? OCR. ~~~ Shimano cassette body overhaul ~~~ Ergopower Escape wear repair ~~~ PSA: drivetrain wear
List of US/Canada bike co-ops ~~~ Global list
Sheldon Brown's bike info ~~~ Park Tools repair help
Half-step triple, using double gear ~~~ 6400 STI rebuild walkthrough ~~~ Want 8/9/10s @126mm OLD? OCR. ~~~ Shimano cassette body overhaul ~~~ Ergopower Escape wear repair ~~~ PSA: drivetrain wear
List of US/Canada bike co-ops ~~~ Global list
Likes For Kimmo:
09-20-19, 12:15 AM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
Posts: 2,707
Bikes: Merlin Extra Light, Orbea Orca, Ritchey Outback,Tomac Revolver Mountain Bike, Cannondale Crit 3.0 now used for time trials.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 109 Post(s)
Liked 41 Times
in
25 Posts
If you can afford the DA, heck, go for it. As the GCN report shows, it is hard to really feel the difference between the two group sets and the weight difference is not significant. That said, when the group is older, being pushed in a variety of weather conditions, beat around a bunch, the DA will likely out perform the 105. I guess Ultegra is good sweet spot. I don't know, I ride Campy on my road bikes and SRAM on the gravel and mountain bikes. I much prefer the ergonomics of Campy and the feel of the shifting vs Shimano and the way the Shimano dual control levers work. But it is a personal thing.
