Ultegra VS Force
 

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

this statement makes me think you might like shimano better, but you won't know until you give both a ride. Neither are better, it's just a personal preference thing.

You will get fanboys of both telling you why the other sucks.

I like SRAM better, b/c Shimano sucks.

Edit: if you try force make sure it's the new zero loss. Shifts better than older force.

didn't even know there were 2 versions available

they just added zero loss to force, which used to only be available on Red shifters.
There is also Force 22 which is an 11 speed, but it won't be offered yet on any complete bikes. I'm not even sure if it's for sale yet.

BTW i have the older force and i like it

I used both. Both function great. I just didn't like the way the Ultegra shifted.

If you can...wait for the Force 22. If you can't...search around...you can probably find good deals on the 2013 Force.

I'd say pick SRAM over Shimano, not only because of better design (the cable heads don't break off inside the shifter) but also because Shimano seems eager to deny warranty claims, whereas SRAM is inclined to warranty stuff that's older and sketchy if the LBS asks nicely.

Microshift is also an excellent choice; I surprisingly prefer my two Microshift-equipped bikes over my Dura Ace equipped bike.

Sram's shifting is rough and very mechanical. The great thing about Sram is that the brake and shifter positions can be adjusted if you're a rider with small hands. Plus, when you're in the drops, you can 'pull' the shift lever towards you for more comfortable shifting in that position. I LOVE sram hoods. They're small and compact and just put your hands in a straight line from wrist to hand.

Shimano's shifting is like butter. It's smooth that sometimes you don't even feel it. Shifter adjustment can only be done with shim, so tough luck if you're a rider with small hands. Shimano hoods are big and bulbous. I understand that it's that way to fit all the shifter componenents but hell it can be pretty uncomfortable at times!

Yeah just ride both and pick the one you like more.

They both shift great but differently and it's really a personal preference. I've tried a bunch of shimano and sram and di2 is my favorite so far. Only thing I don't like is di2 can be ugly if you don't have a di2 frame.

I've used 9 speed Ultegra for about 10 years. I've used Sram (Red and Apex only) for about 3 years. I very, very much prefer the Sram for two reasons: one the hoods just seem to fit my hands better and two: I greatly prefer the shifting mechanism. The 9 speed/6500 Ultegra require a lot more movement on the brake lever to do the rear downshift or front upshift. I have to significantly twist my whole wrist to do that shift. The Sram requires a very short, simple sweep of a single finger to make any shift.

This difference is exacerbated quite a bit while in the drops - Sram, for me, shines even more so when riding in the drops.

I've never said it before, but I am almost tempted to sell the 6500 setup I have and get whatever Sram group I can afford, whether it be Apex, Rival or Force. In the past I said "both work fine, it doesn't really matter to me". Lately I've been riding my commuter with the Ultegra and it's just irritating to me that the shifting requires so much more movement and twisting of my wrist.

But I will repeat -as a whole, you can't go wrong with either. Just like me you should simply base your decision on how you like the feel and function, and of course availability and price!

I do like a mechanical feeling when i shift, i want to be able to really feel it changing gears.

i really like the di2 hoods as well but DA is way too expensive and i find ultegra prety ugly bacause it's so bulky. Besides i'm not at the level where i need electronic shifting anyways.

Than sram might be the choice for me since i don't like to twist my wrist too far either.

I've used both and think Shimano shifts quietly and is a bit more precise but I did not like having to move the brake lever in order to shift. I didn't like the ergonomics of the hoods either so I went SRAM; it was cheaper, lighter, and NO laterally moving brake lever....win win for me.

Will chime in another on SRAM Force... it is what made me make the decision to not pick up a new Raleigh Revenio 3.0 as Ultregra was the only option; liked the bike otherwise, but unfortunately 'custom' was not an option at this particular LBS. Picked up a very low mileage 2012 Madone 6 series cheaper anyway, full force. I am considering upgrading my FD to the new Red with YAW... getting the Force FD dialed in has been tricky.

OP, I am also a SRAM advocate. I haven't ridden Force but have both Red and Rival. If you can't afford straight Red, rather than going with one of the full lower groups, I recommend mixing the two or even three groups as well as 3rd party parts to get the best combination of low weight and savings. For example I ride only the Red cassette even on the Rival setup. Similarly I go with the FSA SLK Light crank to give me the weight of the Red crank at a much reduced price. I also use only the KMC X 10 SL chain for weight savings and reduction of noise compared to any SRAM chain. You can investigate the current pricing and weights of the three levels of brifters and brake calipers to see where you want to come down on those. The Rival or Force derailleurs (for 10 speed or Force for 11 speed) are plenty good enough. I know it is not as neat and clean as a full group of one model, but you can enhance performance and still save money and weight by this strategy. The Frankengroup you assemble this way is very high performing and cost effective.

The current 105 us like that. It takes a LOT of movement on the small levers to make a shift.

i'm not that concerned with weight since even a full force groupe will come in at 200 grams less than what i have atm

Both are good.

You should try both and decide based on hand ergonomics, shifting, etc....

i know the sram hoods fit like a glove :D

anyone who knows what's the diference between the regular sram force RD and the WiFLi?

It's akin to the difference between a Camry and an Accord. Both are very reliable high quality systems that work great. But some people like the ride or looks of the Camry better than the Accord, or vice versa.

Try them both out and pick whichever you like better. You really cannot go wrong.

The WiFli RD is a midcage (longer) to handle up to a 32 tooth cassette.

WiFLi is just their term for mid-cage.

I like both, but for different reasons. I like the hood feel of the Shimano, but I like double tap and the mechanical shift feel of SRAM. SRAM is quite a bit lighter than Shimano across the board., iirc, Rival is pretty close to the same weight as D/A. Force and Red are substantially lighter than D/A. so if weight matters SRAM is the way to go. for the record, a quick google search shows Force to be almost a full pound lighter than Ultegra for the complete group.

I currently ride SRAM, but I have no terrible objection to riding Shimano, I just like the double tap shifting and for me that makes sram worth it. in the end, like others have said, give it a try, ride 'em both and see which you prefer. if personal preference is a wash some of the 'on paper' measures could be a decider for you.

I have ,'13 Red complete and '12 Force with yaw front derailleur. I may purchase a set of red shifters for the Force bike, someday. I really like how they fit my hands.

If I couldnt go complete Red, I would do Red shifters, front mech, crankset, and cassette.eiher force or rival rear mech and brakes, I guess force crankset would be ok if I needed to cut costs.

The exogram crank is what i'm debating i need. It's shifting is supposed to be superior with the new yaw, but i'm not a huge fan of how the new crank looks. I'm def gonna buy the new red shifters(already bought the FD). I can't make myself pay that much for a red cassette.

This ^^^^
or...wait for 2014 Ultegra which is head and shoulders better than 6700 Ultegra.