thehammerdog

As I sit around and dream about buying more stuff for the bike I was debating upgrading my cassette & cranks maybe even brakes...I have all 105 that works well. As I was comparing the Ultegra groupo the cost does not seem to relate to a great deal of weight savings. Is it that much better or should I just save more to get the good stuff.....

lazerzxr

Difference will be slight at best....

trustnoone

For weight savings will it cost more than $2/g? I think there are more cost effective ways of saving weight. If not already done, I think a wheel upgrade should be near the top of the list followed by cockpit. Crank maybe.

Cassette may be worth while just for some of the ultegra cog spreads. an 11-27 could be handy.

Selling the 105 kit after the upgrade would also bring the $/g down and might actually make it economical.

hendrick81

Keep the 105.

AngryScientist 

absolutely ridiculous, 105 is solid stuff, and if you want blingy, go dura-ace, why bother "upgrading" to ultegra?

goose70

Good thread....I was considering upgrading my rear dr to Ultegra 6700 and adding the same level cassette to my new wheels (Soul S3.0). Currently, I have a '10 CAAD9 5 w/105. The rear shifting has been a little rough, even with frequent tune-ups, so I figured that this might be an economical way to address it (costs about $180). I also heard that 6700 is much better than the old Ultegra line.

However, I've also heard the line that 105 and Ultegra are so close that I might not realize any appreciable benefit.

I agree that a wheel upgrade should be at the top of my list, followed by a tire upgrade, but I've already checked off those two items. Also, I need a new cassette for the new wheel, anyway. My only pause is whether to put the $180 towards an upgraded crank, instead (curently have an FSA).

lazerzxr

i recently changed a 1997 105 rear mech for a 6600 one and the only differece i could see was that the jockey wheels in the ultegra had proper bearings instead of cheepo bushes. Shifting was slightly crisper as a result but it still needs adjusting now and then

coasting 

get an extra bike with ultegra

kayakdiver

This

DinoShepherd

Get both.

My personal bikes are usually an odd mix of whatever I can lay hands on. But normally above 105 level.

I recently picked up a 105 C-X bike for my wife. The thing works absolutely flawless and is showing every sign of being extremely robust and tolerant of all manner of mud, rain and general abuse.

-Z

crhilton

Just get new cranks. Upgrade your cassette when you wear the current one out.

jjgli02

i think the biggest difference will be seen in a new crankset. of course, the new crank will most likely be your highest pricepoint. ride the 105 until you can no longer stand looking as cool as all the super-cyclists with dura ace

jamesdak 

I guess I have to agree with this. My main ride right now is a 1999 Schwinn Circuit made with a Reynolds 853 frame and running 105 components. In a couple of hours I'm heading out to go pickup a Lemond Zurich. Same frame material but with Ultegra components. Curious as to if I'll seem much difference in relation to the components themselves.

kleinboogie

Depends on what you want. I've got a 2009 Synapse C3 and the Ultegra SL is hot. Only you can decide if it's worth it. I've got a Red set now and it's so much better but pricey. btw, $2/gram is well within the margin of purchase validation. GL

tagaproject6

Don't buy upgrades...ride upgrades! Save for a new bike with Ultegra. 2 bikes are better than 1 bike and spare parts.

BarracksSi

An Ultegra bike with a slightly off-kilter derailleur hanger will shift worse than a 105 bike with a straight hanger.

I wouldn't bother with this upgrade unless it came with a bike, either.

datlas 

Don't bother unless your current stuff is worn out. Not worth it as stated above.

ADSR

I've been having the exact same thoughts. I came to the conclusion that if I got a 105 or Ultegra outer chainring to replace the stock Gossamer ring and some jockey wheels with proper bearings I'd be doing all right for myself and wouldn't be dropping a load of cash. Is this plan folly?

ak47clown

I've been perfectly satisfied with my 105 groupo but always seem to have issues with the fd so i found a new 6700 derailluer on ebay for 30 bucks. Figured at that price it was worth it even if there's only a slight difference. Other than that the only other thing i can see myself upgrading are the brakes (currently trek 2.1 with tiagra brakes).

TnDiamondback

I upgraded from Sora to Tiagra, go figure. I did gain a gear and proper shifters ( or so say the Sora haters )

achoo

If you don't like your rear shifting, get a DA 7800 RD.

JeffS

You heard wrong. The rear derailleur is the weak point of the 6700/7900 groups. If you're going to buy something, make it from the previous generation. Plenty of people have "fixed" their 67/7900 groups with a 7800 rear derailleur.

---------

To the OP, never upgrade a wear item (cassette) until it wears out. As for the rest... if it makes you feel good, do it. Aesthetic reasons are really the only reason to make the change.

2ndGen

+1

If you're going to upgrade from 105, might as well go all the way.
I don't think it's reasonable to jump from 105 to just Ultegra.
Not that Ultegra isn't a great group...it's just that 105 is THAT good.

deep_sky

Sora is junk. Those who say it ain't don't know the difference, or don't give a crap how their componentry performs. 105 is the best bang per buck for Shimano stuff, but Tiagra is ok. I do have a XT derailleur (mtb version of ultegra) and it has not needed adjustments since I had it installed last summer. the 105 derailleur from 2005 that was on the bike before the XT was similarly fine, I had to upgrade it only because it wasn't capable of handling a 12-32 cassette or the amount of chain required to fit around that and a triple. otherwise it would still be on my bike.

colombo357

I upgraded from 105 to Ultegra and never looked back except to glare at the slow pokes behind me running 105.

I lie.