cycopath

I'm finally upgrading to 10-sp and will be using Dura Ace 10sp components. However, I wonder if there is a significant difference between the Dura Ace and Ultegra 10sp cassettes to warrant the pricing difference?
Or are there any other brands of Shimano compatible 10sp cassettes (12-25) that people would recommend?
Thanks!

mrbubbles

Difference: 44 grams. You decide whether that's worth double the price or not.

I have 105 cassette as well as Ultegra, can't tell the difference.

anomaly

Besides the Dura Ace wearing much more quickly, only weight is different.

dmotoguy

If I remember correctly, you can use sram cassettes. If that is the case, I am going to get the new red cassette ($230 !) and try it out.. people are saying its super light weight, but durable like a 105 cassette.. so it might be worth the investment

garysol1 

I have been using Ultegra Cassettes on my otherwise all DA drivetrain. No difference in performance over the DA cassette

mrbubbles

$230 is the problem. At $230, you can buy 5 105 cassettes. That's enough to last most people a decade.

Sram Red cassette is light at 160 grams, that weight saving is pointless considering a banana or a multitool easily offset the weight saved.

While some people got money to burn on parts that wear and make zero difference in performance (chains, cassette), I don't.

botto 

+/-180$ off of ebay.

still +/-130$ too high.

bdcheung

Time will tell but, the SRAM Red cassette is made out of steel. Ought to be more durable (though, if you check your chain length regularly any cassette will last long enough).

Cateye

73 Grams......that is it.

Dubbayoo

I just recently noticed the ultegra upgrade isn't worth it. I'm going 105 for the spares/trainer wheel and SRAM for the Zipp.

damocles1

+47

$55 Ultegra cassettes @ PBK...fwiw, that's dead cost from QBP.

Rutnick

That picture brings up something interesting in a training ride this weekend. The guy I was riding with is a dang good rider. Sub 4 hour century rider. 6:38 RAIN rider. He's got 3 Red groups and hated the red cassette. He said that on EVERY cassette the chain would rub the dome in 1st gear. I didn't know what he was talking about until that picture. the notches on the back of the dome. He said he's had 3 red cassettes and all three did it. He said he loves red but uses Dura Ace cassettes.

He said the red would make this nice "tick tick tick" noise in 1st.

caloso

I only have experience with the nine speed stuff, but I imagine it's no different with 10: Ultegra is cheaper and lasts longer.

bdcheung

That's interesting - first I've ever heard of that.

JayC

Thats SRAM's reminder to HTFU.

Keep in mind SRAM cassettes wont work on 10 speed only wheels.

Rutnick

The guy rode a 3:55 century and did a 6:38 RAIN (168 miles) ride last year. That's ZERO stops.

The only person that needed to HTFU was me trying to keep up with him on a ride saturday. I did but I think he was being nice. The last 15 miles was at 23 mph without him putting an "angry pedal" to the bike as he put it.

Rutnick

He's got 3 sets and all three did it so I'd believe him. All running SRAM chains. All now running Dura Ace cassettes.

He said the "tick tick tick" was annoying.

kudude

You're not allowed to use those arguments here. You don't put a banana on the saddle when you weigh your bike, do you? I'm guessing you're one of those guys that doesn't weigh his bike, right? (it's all in fun, just so you know).

No farkin' way I'd pay $230 for a cassette. No way. Not gonna happen. Maybe if it was the pleasure model, but then that's a whole other subject.

rooftest

Nobody's mentioned that the larger rings on the Dura Ace cassette are Ti - that's why it wears quicker. I tend to be hard on my gears, and Ultegra has lasted a long time for me.

sestivers

I will be very surprised if that SRAM Red cassette lasts anywhere near as long as an Ultegra cassette. I saw one in person today... it is machined out of a single piece of steel whereas the cogs on a Shimano cassette are forged, which should make the Shiimano cassette much stronger and more durable.

Psimet2001 

Ultegra cassettes. Go 105 if you like. I like the finish on the Ultegra cassettes. It's my money.

DA cassettes = will wear out quicker in the larger cogs due to Ti construction. To top it off they are much more expensive.

Red........seriously do we need a single piece cassette? A monument to CAD generated CNC code?

Young engineers. They should be slapped.

Rutnick

I read the 08 has a new coating on the Ti to extend the life. What's the life of a typical D/A cassette anyway? I'm at less than 1 cent a mile on my current ultegra.

Dubbayoo

How often is someone capable of a 4 hour century riding in 1st gear? That does make me wonder if the SRAM sponsored pro teams will be using the Red cassettes too.

Rutnick

depends on the terrain and gearing doesn't it?

He rode a century on Saturday. He was doing a 30 mile hill climbing training on Sunday.

He spend 14 days climbing in France last year.

He's an animal.

Psimet2001 

I have no solid technical data that I can call upon. I only remember that I heard enough anecdotal "evidence" to make up my mind a few years back. I rememebr a horror story of someone chewing them up within a couple cyclocross races. I also remember people complaining about bent cogs as well.

I would assume (read assume ) that with proper drivetrain maintenance that one could get them to last a reasonable length of time, but on the surface I just don't see how a Ti cog will ever last as long as a steel cog under the same rider in the same conditions. Even with a coating.