Ultegra VS Force
05-31-13 | 11:44 AM
#26
Velo Club La Grange
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,215
Likes: 0
From: MDR, CA
I have no experience with SRAM, but I have used Ultegra 6500. It shifted well, even under the stress climbing while standing on the pedals. I don't remember much about mt feelings of the ergonomics of the break-hoods, but I'm sure they were at least ok. I'm currently using Dura Ace 7800, and I do remember thinking when I first wrapped my hands around them, "I don't really like this as much as the Ultegra 'hoods." As far as quality, I'm sure both products are fine.
05-31-13 | 12:07 PM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,163
Likes: 20
Some of you may know that i'm getting a new bike, i finally decided that i'm going for a complete new one and not a frameset.
So i was at my LBS today and saw a few nice bikes and they can custom build them. But now i don't know which way to go, shimano ultegra or sram force.
I don't have any specific needs or whatever. There's is one thing i don't like about campy which i'd like to get rid of now.
Namely when i'm down shifting (when you have to use the little lever behind the brake lever) i often don't push it far enough so it simply doesn't shift.
So if one of the two has a technique where the lever doesn't have to be pushed as far i'd be happy to hear.
Or if you have any experience or thoughts about one of the two or even better, about both please let me know.
I'd like to be as informed as i can be because as a student it's hard to save that amount of money so it has to be spot on
Grtz
Jonathan
So i was at my LBS today and saw a few nice bikes and they can custom build them. But now i don't know which way to go, shimano ultegra or sram force.
I don't have any specific needs or whatever. There's is one thing i don't like about campy which i'd like to get rid of now.
Namely when i'm down shifting (when you have to use the little lever behind the brake lever) i often don't push it far enough so it simply doesn't shift.
So if one of the two has a technique where the lever doesn't have to be pushed as far i'd be happy to hear.
Or if you have any experience or thoughts about one of the two or even better, about both please let me know.
I'd like to be as informed as i can be because as a student it's hard to save that amount of money so it has to be spot on
Grtz
Jonathan
Cheers
05-31-13 | 02:04 PM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 9,878
Likes: 160
From: BOSTON BABY
I have no experience with SRAM, but I have used Ultegra 6500. It shifted well, even under the stress climbing while standing on the pedals. I don't remember much about mt feelings of the ergonomics of the break-hoods, but I'm sure they were at least ok. I'm currently using Dura Ace 7800, and I do remember thinking when I first wrapped my hands around them, "I don't really like this as much as the Ultegra 'hoods." As far as quality, I'm sure both products are fine.
Having used both: the next generation of Ultegra is going to be a big improvement over the current one, but isn't likely to be available until very late in the year. Fall, if we're lucky, but more realistically, over the winter. In the current generation, Ultegra is a bit smoother shifting, arguably more durable, a fair bit heavier and quite a bit chunkier in terms of ergonomics. The Ultegra crank blows Force out of the water - it's far superior. Otherwise, it's a tough call. I would try them both and see which one feels best. I think the next generation of Ultegra will probably be clearly superior, but you'll have to wait on that one.
05-31-13 | 02:08 PM
#30
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 28,682
Likes: 63
From: Houston, TX
Bikes: 1990 Romic Reynolds 531 custom build, Merlin Works CR Ti custom build, super light Workswell 066 custom build
I hear you loud and clear, but I find it to be such an amazing engineering concept, I can't stay away from it. I buy them as take-offs on ebay for under $140. Older model that is, 166 g instead of the new 135 g one. But still, not a bad deal.
05-31-13 | 04:19 PM
#34
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 9,878
Likes: 160
From: BOSTON BABY
No, not itching for a fight. I was trying to be helpful to the OP. I wasn't trying to pick a fight with you. I was pointing out that your info was unhelpful. You got all bent out of shape over this, and posted a macro image suggesting that I was being overly pedantic. I don't think it's overly pedantic, though, when the group you're reviewing became obsolete 9 years ago. I'm sorry if I somehow offended you, seriously, but I was just pointing out the facts.
05-31-13 | 05:20 PM
#35
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 331
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From: Berlare, Belgium
Bikes: Provex (centaur carbon) 2009 - cube litening super hpc race 2013
i'm already doing my 'homework' but i'll be getting my new ride around mid august which will probably way too early for the new ultegra, shame though.
EDIT: if i wait 2 more weeks until september there might be a chance they already have it
EDIT: if i wait 2 more weeks until september there might be a chance they already have it
05-31-13 | 07:13 PM
#36
Velo Club La Grange
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,215
Likes: 0
From: MDR, CA
No, not itching for a fight. I was trying to be helpful to the OP. I wasn't trying to pick a fight with you. I was pointing out that your info was unhelpful. You got all bent out of shape over this, and posted a macro image suggesting that I was being overly pedantic. I don't think it's overly pedantic, though, when the group you're reviewing became obsolete 9 years ago. I'm sorry if I somehow offended you, seriously, but I was just pointing out the facts.
05-31-13 | 08:56 PM
#37
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 406
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, ON, Canada
See if you can get demo rides on them both.
If you're having a preference on the brifters, you might as well try them both out before committing.
I didn't like the 9 speed Ultegra on my old Cannondale in Vancouver. It felt easy to mix up shifting and braking. The 10 speed Tiagara on my bike now works great. :S
If you're having a preference on the brifters, you might as well try them both out before committing.
I didn't like the 9 speed Ultegra on my old Cannondale in Vancouver. It felt easy to mix up shifting and braking. The 10 speed Tiagara on my bike now works great. :S
06-01-13 | 05:14 AM
#39
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: Berlare, Belgium
Bikes: Provex (centaur carbon) 2009 - cube litening super hpc race 2013
according to bikeradar it should be available in stores around september so i don"t think it's already out now
06-01-13 | 08:21 AM
#40
cycle-dog spot
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,538
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: Look, Niner, Ellsworth, Norco, Litespeed
Ultegra is awesome. I have 6700 on my road bike. Absolutely love it. Super durable and comfortable. No problems.
Force is awesome. I have new Force on my C.X bike. Absolutely love it. Super durable and comfortable. No problems.
The above is all true. But it shows the nature of your problem is not one of an absolute right answer. They have very different feels and functions. Which one YOU prefer should be evident with just a bit of saddle time.
Cheers!
Force is awesome. I have new Force on my C.X bike. Absolutely love it. Super durable and comfortable. No problems.
The above is all true. But it shows the nature of your problem is not one of an absolute right answer. They have very different feels and functions. Which one YOU prefer should be evident with just a bit of saddle time.
Cheers!
06-01-13 | 12:47 PM
#41
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: Berlare, Belgium
Bikes: Provex (centaur carbon) 2009 - cube litening super hpc race 2013
Ultegra is awesome. I have 6700 on my road bike. Absolutely love it. Super durable and comfortable. No problems.
Force is awesome. I have new Force on my C.X bike. Absolutely love it. Super durable and comfortable. No problems.
The above is all true. But it shows the nature of your problem is not one of an absolute right answer. They have very different feels and functions. Which one YOU prefer should be evident with just a bit of saddle time.
Cheers!
Force is awesome. I have new Force on my C.X bike. Absolutely love it. Super durable and comfortable. No problems.
The above is all true. But it shows the nature of your problem is not one of an absolute right answer. They have very different feels and functions. Which one YOU prefer should be evident with just a bit of saddle time.
Cheers!
06-02-13 | 12:31 AM
#42
cycle-dog spot
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,538
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: Look, Niner, Ellsworth, Norco, Litespeed
06-02-13 | 01:56 AM
#43
commu*ist spy
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,462
Likes: 5
From: oregon
So how does Force compare with Apex? I test rode some sram bikes, but they only had Apex. The bikes weren't set up very well, and the FD shifting sucked. It would only shift over with a light load. And takes a couple of tries when I'm actually pedaling. The hoods felt a little weird, and I think I prefer shimano shifting. But if a sram force carbon bike comes at a reasonable price over ultegra, I'd buy it, provided it's a lot better than apex. I also prefer shimano's quiet shifting.
06-02-13 | 04:38 AM
#44
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,946
Likes: 1
From: Pennsylvania
Bikes: Pedal Force RS2, Canyon, Basso, Tommaso, Rock Racing, Schwinn, SWOBO, Trek
I have 9 bikes, 4 racing type road bikes, with 3 of them full SRAM Force....love it, very mechanical with a ka-clang shifting. The looks are great and the quality is fabulous, very high end materials where shimano is somewhat plasticky (not inferior).
My Shimano Dura-Ace/Ultegra rig is dependable and smooth, sram force is reliable and lets you know what your doing.
Good Luck to You.
My Shimano Dura-Ace/Ultegra rig is dependable and smooth, sram force is reliable and lets you know what your doing.
Good Luck to You.
06-02-13 | 05:58 AM
#45
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 331
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From: Berlare, Belgium
Bikes: Provex (centaur carbon) 2009 - cube litening super hpc race 2013
i haven't used sram so far, shimano was pleasing but it think the ergonomics aren't really what i'm looking for. On my mtb i have shimano and there i really get feedback when i shift which i like. so i think sram might just be the way to go.
06-02-13 | 06:37 AM
#47
cycle-dog spot
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,538
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: Look, Niner, Ellsworth, Norco, Litespeed
You will know when you ride. The components have very different "personalities". One ride should tell you.
06-02-13 | 10:24 AM
#49
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
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I have small hands and I prefer the SRAM hoods. I rode Shimano before as well. I have yet to ride Campy.
I will be riding Di2 soon and I do like the hoods. That's the first thing I checked out when I got my gruppo.
It's a known SRAM weakness. A lot of people went with Ultegra/DA FDs with their SRAM gruppos. Why do you think they introduced "YAW" with the catcher?
If OPs going with the older Force ask the LBS for the new YAW FD. I believe SRAM22 Force has it. I'd wait for that as they overhauled its aesthetics
...although you may need some new wheels too
I will be riding Di2 soon and I do like the hoods. That's the first thing I checked out when I got my gruppo.
The bikes weren't set up very well, and the FD shifting sucked.
If OPs going with the older Force ask the LBS for the new YAW FD. I believe SRAM22 Force has it. I'd wait for that as they overhauled its aesthetics
...although you may need some new wheels too
Last edited by KantoBoy; 06-02-13 at 10:34 AM.
06-02-13 | 11:12 AM
#50
commu*ist spy
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,462
Likes: 5
From: oregon
correct if I'm wrong, isn't FD shifting entirely dependent on the chainrings? I mean all the deraulleurs do is move into position. It's the chainrings teeth orientations that allows the shifting to happen more smoothly.