ttusomeone

Now that Ultegra 6800 has started to trickle out, does anyone have any first-hand experience with it? Better yet, has anyone rode it and DA 9000 and can compare the experience between the two?

kps88

Any feedback from actual users?

robbyville

I hosted a dealer day at our resort last month and got to try out the 6800 for about 10 miles. It shifted pretty much exactly how my previous 9000 did. Seemed to be a little stiffer perhaps, but that could have easily been the cable routing, or cables themselves. Main thing was that the front shifting was easily much better than previous 6700 and seemed as good as the 9000. The brakes did not feel as good as my 9000's but still much better than most other brakes I've used (disclaimer I've only used Shimano, never others for any extended time).

agent pombero

The 6800 is awesome, and much better in shifting and braking than the 6700. Test rode a 6800 equipped bike for 8 miles a month ago, so not an extensive overview. I will report back once my new Co-Motion with 6800 is built up! The wait time is 4 to 6 weeks for delivery.

kps88

It seems as if its getting "great" reviews from the press and assumptions based on DA 9000 (that's not a bad thing), but was curious as to real world experiences. I just ordered a 2014 Cannondale SS 3 with 6800. It won't be in until January. Way too many "opinions" based on media reviews.

Long Tom

I'll have an opinion in a few hours!

kps88

Please dont tell me you just need to read up on the media reviews.

robbyville

Well like I said even though the demo was only 10 miles it's real world (my personal bike was 9000 then upgraded to 9070).

i think the key is simple... If you currently have 9000 you will fell little difference between the two if set up the same, albeit obviously 6800 is a little heavier. But I doubt many people will be going from 9000 to 6800.

if however you're coming from either DA 7900 or Ultegra 6700 you will be very happy with the changes. Levers more comfortable, shifting much smoother especially the front, and brakes have a nicer feel as well.

kps88

Are the brake levers a bit more solid? In terms of that loose feeling when braking. I rode a 6700 for a few days and the levers felt extremely loose.

agent pombero

The 6800 levers are solid. There must have been something wrong with your 6700 setup because those are solid too.

robbyville

I'm not sure what you mean by loose? They modulated well and were definitely better than previous incarnations

Long Tom

Ha! No, just took my new bike for it's first ride. 33 miles. Lots of hills = lots of shifting.

The LBS that sold me the bike botched the setup, so I can't speak to the RD up-shifting. Mine sucked today.

Downshifting was fast and precise and I liked being able to grab two gears at once. The FD shifted like a dream; very quick and positive. The brakes murdered anything I've used before (which isn't saying a whole lot, but still)..... they were smooth, powerful, predictable, with a light touch. In general everything happened with a lighter touch than my 9-sp Tiagra shifters on my other bike.

My bike came with FSA carbon cranks so I can't speak to the Ultegra there.

copswithguns

I have full 6800 on my Roubaix, down to the hubs. It's excellent. Buttery-smooth shifts, solid braking, smooth all around. I can't speak to the 9000 DA for comparison, but I love my 6800 set. The 9000 would have to be pretty darn good for me to justify the extra money.

ilvwhtgrls

My current bike has 9000 and it's simply amazing. The biggest improvement is in the front shifting and braking. I really enjoy the modulation and feel of the brakes and cables. I have 6800 on my race bike it's great. As mentioned previously, it's significantly better than 6700 but not nearly on the same level as 9000. The throw is a lot longer and takes more effort. In addition, the modulation on the braking isn't quite up to par.

Both are race ready but I would prefer to ride Dura Ace.

kps88

They just moved a bit too much. I had been using Sram so they are totally solid in feel. I was just curious.

kps88

Long Tom

Cool. My Cannondale comes with same crankset. How did you like it?

kps88

What have you used prior?

Menel

Played with in a shop.

6800 has a nice solid click like I miss from 5700.
6700 on my main bike is so awkwardly soft.

kps88

I'm coming from SRAM. Never used Shi mano prior. Just felt odd. Guess I will adapt.

Long Tom

I have all of 33 miles on it, so I can't really say.

kps88

I just started road cycling this year. My crank was Rival. Im guessing the FSA should be an upgrade.

Long Tom

They are expensive! More than Ultegra. My bike is spec'd Ultegra except the crankset; I think they (Specialized) used the FSA SLK Light for the BB30 as much as anything, but I don't know. They weren't cutting costs with it.

Its purty, and made my friend go oooh aaahh when he saw it, so that's cool <g>.

copswithguns

Sora 8 and 9 Speed, 105 5700. The 6800 is sweet.

kps88

They do look nice and the newer models seem to get good reviews.

kps88

QUOTE=copswithguns;16266183]Sora 8 and 9 Speed, 105 5700. The 6800 is sweet.[/QUOTE]

Ok, so quite an upgrade from 5700?