Well I had a bike before and it was tiagra parts and I thought the shifting was a bit clunky so I want to get 105 or higher. It doesn't have to be ultegra, I also like the caad10 105. That is full 105

11 speed 5800 and Sram Rival 22 are both right around the corner. I think they are waiting until TDF to announce.

I agree with the others. There is basically no difference between 5700 105 and 6700 Ultegra.

Probably poor adjustment of the Tiagra. My 9 speed Tiagra 4500 shifts perfectly well.

I think you should try some more bikes. You seemed all set with the 3 bikes, now you've added the CAAD 10, which is an excellent bike. Sounds like you're still in the discovery phase, so, I'd recommend you stay there for a bit. Try a bike that is totally off your radar, right now. You might be surprised.
Have you considered whether you want race or endurance geometry?


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Ridley Helium? Competitive Cyclist has good prices on the ISP models.

Yes I'm just researching all my options, as of right now I'm leaning more to the endurance geometry, and who knows maybe I'll want race in the future.

they sure do, there are great deals online right now. OP said he is set on buying local though, which isn't an issue either. This thread started with two bikes in question, it is now up to four bikes. I'm partial to CAAD, but I still give a high vote to the BMC as well.

Helium has a taller headtube. Same size as the tarmac.

In size 56, CAAD has 15.5 cm, Tarmac at ~17 cm, Helium ~17cm, Roubaix at ~19cm. Synapse is at 18cm.

Since you're interested in endurance, I would recommend the Synapse. I have the alu and really like it.
You're probably eager, but it would probably serve you to give it a couple weeks to a month.
Maybe, do a road trip to different shops and try different brands.
Have fun with the discovery process.
I always recommend 105, and I've been on this forum for a while, and you just don't hear a lot of complaints about Shimano, at least at 105 or above.
I've tried SRAM and don't care for it.
Never tried Campy. It looks sexy e buono Italiano!



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Just buy the Bianchi already. You're wasting perfectly good riding days debating over bikes that are not significantly better than one another. When in doubt buy the one that looks coolest to you. It's NOT about the bike.

Thank you I'll look into the synapse.

I do live in Florida so everyday is nice, so a few more days won't hurt. The bianchi is nice but I heard a lot of good reviews on the cannondales

Even [MENTION=196850]bianchi10[/MENTION] rides a Cannondale.

I saw Tiagra parts on the scott, front derailleur and rear cassette... the components of the scott as a whole ae on a lesser level than the 105/ultegra parts on the impulso. Id go with the ultegra/105 bianchi over the tiagra/105 scott. Id expect to see less mechanical issues with the Bianchi's groupset. Youre investing about 2k here, go with quality.

What about the cannondale caad10 5 105? That's full 105

My golden rule is buy the best you can afford.

If I ride 105, I always want Ultegra and if I ride Ultegra, I always want Dura Ace.

So I try and do it only once and spend the $$$

For what it is worth, if set up with care, all of the modern groupsets shift phenomenally. I built a bike over the winter with a full Sora group ($230 brand new for the full group), took care in installing it, and it shifts almost as well as my Campagnolo Centaur build. The only point you see any difference is shifting the rear under load. It is all good stuff.

Ride, test out the feel of the bike : )! Whichever you like better. If youre like me, you can get the bike you think looks better/is cooler and love it because you own it. Then after a few tweaks and personal adjustments you'll like the feel. Canny's probably a better bang for buck (if youre from America vs import bikes).

To me it sounds like you're looking for justification to spend the extra money, in that case do it

I have a bike with 6800 Ultegra and one with 10-sp 105. I guess that means I'm qualified to offer up a take.

I think the simplest answer is that if you are price-sensitive, just get the 105 and ride the bike. 105 shifts great and feels good. Very functional and high-quality setup.

If the extra money isn't a thing to you then by all means get the Ultegra. Just be sure it's the new 11-sp 6800. It is pretty awesome, but we are talking subtle things like throw length and lightness of touch. It just feels more refined; it feels better.

Generally speaking an Ultegra-equipped bike has many other upgrades over a 105 bike, but since you are comparing different brands that'll be harder to sort out.

I see this went 4 pages so there must be some arguin' going on. Heh heh.

Why do people keep bringing up 6800? The Ultegra equipped Bianchi he is looking at has 6700.

I missed that. My bad.

That makes it easy. 6700 is the red-haired stepchild of Ultegra (apologies to any red-haired stepchildren reading!) and has a bit of a marketplace stench to it now that 6800 is out.

I'd avoid a 6700 bike unless it was a SMOKING deal, personally. Plus- this means it's a 10-sp to 10-sp comparison. Go 105, save the money, or go 6800 and feel the sublimity.

Well I appreciate everyone's help, I found the bike I'm going with, 2013 litespeed M1 it's carbon with full 105
the the bike is super nice and smooth! And it's a great price!

So I'm going on a small road trip tomorrow to test out a Ridley carbon bike. So we will see how that goes

8 or 9 years ago when I was buying a new road bike after having been away from the sport for several decades I asked the helpful shop manager at my LBS what the difference was, and his exact reply was

"Ultegra is very well respected.

105 is respected."