Okay, well, kind of, but it's a little more specific.

I am awaiting my custom titanium road frame and have a few different factors to consider for my group. I am deciding between Force and Ultegra and the following are my main concerns. I am leaning towards the Force...

1. Short reach- Force has adjustable reach. Ultegra has wedges that aren't really that customizable. I could upgrade to DA levers (that have adjustable reach) if I went with Ultegra, but that would be extra $

2. Gearing (I am getting a compact)- I am planning on putting a 11/32 cassette on the bike since all I do is climb. The Ultegra RD will fit a 32. If I went with the Force group, I would have to purchase the Apex long cage RD. Before one might say a compact with an 11-28 is fine, the steep grades around my house are bit much.

3.looks- this is the least of my worries, but I find the Ultegra group to be UUUUU-GLY and I don't think it will look as good on a titanium frame.

Which would you purchase and why?

I don't think that Ultegra will handle a 32t cog. But a 9sp Shimano MTB derailleur will. They use the same cable pull as Shimano road levers and its the levers that determine the number of cog position. You can use the Sram 11-32 cassette 10sp (or one from IRD)

I'd select the levers (and thus derailleurs) by how you like the levers- does the hood shape fit your hand, do you like the way the shifters work, does the gap behind the brake lever bother you, etc. Go to an LBS and fondle the bikes for a while.

Sorry, I'm not good with newer components, but I can say this

I had the same problem with RSX components and decided to opt for a higher gearing cassette and a low geared double chain ring. This gave me better rear shifting and still a good reach of gearing front and back. This is also, what I figured out, a good way to reduce weight vs larger cassette and larger chain rings.

I would say this, which is a given, is to buy the components as a package so you know that they will all fit.

I'm sorry if I sound noobish, but I wanted to give my HO

Cant go wrong with either. I prefer the shifting and ergonomics of SRAM, plus the fact that it is lighter. I would get a SRAM with Apex or Rival long-cage RD. YMMV.

I know the max is 28 now, but back when the max was 27, 28s and 29s ran fine. I got firsthand information that it can be done. However, I think I am going to go for the Force anyway, so it doesn't matter so much.

We were just thinking the same thing about tooling around on smaller bikes at the bike shop, but I'm not sure if I will be able to find sram on small womens frames, last time I checked, they were all Shimano, but I'm going to give it a shot anyway.

Obviously, in your mind, subconsciously, you have already decided.
Dont't search for more details that could lead you in the direction you have already taken ... just take it and be done with it.

ha! Because you know in the end, the sex appeal is the most important factor!

As far as the SRAM stuff. Why would you want to put Force on it and then have an APEX RD. That's like buying ultegra and then throwing on a Tiagra read derailluer. Doesn't make much sense. I am currently running the 6750 crank with an 11/28. It is amazing how easy that is to spin. I think you'll be very happy with it.

Cheers

I know, that's another one of the things that was bugging me about the Force. Both options have pros and cons...

The only CON on the Ultegra is the sex appeal. Just get white shoes, it will counter-act the ugly.

Don't know if 6700 came with a triple. If not, you could go with a 6600 long cage derailler. Or better yet, follow your sense of aesthetics and get Sram. It's good stuff. Reliable, light and good looking. I doubt that there's any difference in the function and build quality between Apex and Force/Rival RDs. Just a few extra grams. All together it'll still be much lighter than Shimano.

I would run the Force setup with the Rival or Apex mid cage RD. If you want to save some more cash, run the Rival FD. Its the same as the Force, but with a black clamp.

Contador ran an Apex RD with a 11-32 on the mountain stages this years Giro.

that looks sexy.

Contador...Pfffft what does that guy know????

Clenbuterol?

It's a personal choice, but I don't find Ultegra to be ugly at all. As was posted above, it sounds like you've made up your mind already.

I have both groups (Force and Ultegra). Overall, I prefer Ultegra because IMO, the most important part of the group (the brake/shift levers) fits me better with Ultegra. That (IMO) should be the biggest part of your decision because it's a contact point on the bike. SRAM is lighter, but IMO, the levers feel kinda cheap. The Ultegra stuff is heavier and a lot of the weight is in the shifter, but I'm glad Shimano didn't cheap out there. When I grip the lever, I feel like it's gripping my back...aka pistol grip.

If you're worried about ugly, then the 11-32 cassette is your primary concern. My wife runs that on her bike and that thing looks ridiculous...like a dinner plate. Overall, it's a much simpler and more reliable setup than the 9 speed triple that she had, so the ugly is worth something.

With the camera angle on Contador's bike, it's hard to tell...but that doesn't look like an 11-32. Maybe an 11-28? I'll post a pic of the 11-32 if you want to see it.

Bob

If it was a 28, there would be no need for the mid length rear derailleur. He switched to this bike before the climb on the Monte Zoncolan.

I actually like the look of Ultegra 6700, but even I know it wouldn't look that great on titanium bike. Too much silver. Ti looks better with black parts IMHO.

DA 7900 would be a much better choice.

Seriously though, Force works great too. I used to ride Shimano, then rode SRAM Rival for a few months, now I'm going back to Shimano (6700) for the new bike. Neither system is perfect, but they both do what they are designed to do, which is shift gears. It's all preference from there. After comparing all the pros and cons of both systems, I have decided that Shimano works best for me. But that's me, not you.

I'd also consider Rival over Force because they are the exact same thing on the inside. One just looks cooler and costs more. Once you go to Red you will start to see differences in actual shifting performance.

Gotcha. Man, that chain looks clean enough to eat off of.

Bob

The mere fact that you put this:

3.looks- this is the least of my worries, but I find the Ultegra group to be UUUUU-GLY and I don't think it will look as good on a titanium frame.

...says a lot about what you want...SRAM
...your reaction to the above pics say the same thing...SRAM

Oh, and SRAM makes medium cage Rival RD if you are going to use an 11-32 cassette.

Rival FD and RD - Force everything else call it a day.

P.S Ultegra is ugly

this right here. they also make Rival with a long cage RD as others said. so you dont have to use apex (even though there is nothing wrong with it) heck you could also use SRAMs XX MTB RD if you really want to be fancy.

nice. I'll take a look @ the rival long cage. Thanks!

David Millar's ride for the mountain stages. XX rd on his Cervelo S3. 11-36!



https://www.theroaddiaries.com/?p=4566

or you could save some dough and go with the new 105. man, it looks nice in black. no offense to sram user but double tap stinks.