Shimano Ultegra - is there any difference ?

omri

I'm thinking of replacing my 105 groupset to ultegra. I went to CRC to see shifters and they have two types of Ultegras one is 6700 the other is STi 6600 and SL STi 6600.

link here

Anyone know what is the difference and is perhaps 6700 superior to 6600 or opposite and then there is SL on top of this mess.

Thanks

seamus

As far as I can tell from the Shimano website all Ultegra stuff is 670X and Ultegra SL stuff is 660X. Google tells me there's no difference except that SL looks nicer (nicer finish) and is marginally lighter.

Chips Lovell

6700 has internal (under the bar tape) cable routing. 6600 has the old style external gear cables. SL is a different colour, dark grey, and is lighter.

To be honest though, I'd be wary about trading up from 105 to Ultegra. Unless there is something wrong with your old groupset, you won't notice much difference jumping up one tier.

Lumen

6600 was last gen. Late in that generation, Shimano introduced the posher SL variant.

6700 is current generation.

Lumen

el tonto wrote: »

6700 has internal (under the bar tape) cable routing. 6600 has the old style external gear cables.

I sort of miss those old sprouty cables, inelegant though they are. They give something to hang on to when steering with your elbows.

Surrender

I know the SL is just a bit lighter, maybe 30 grams. And it comes in that funky ice-silver colour.
6700 is supposed to be slightly better than the 6600, but I think you need to be a magician to spot the difference.

omri

Nothing is wrong just took my bike apart for some propper cleaning and thought it would be nice to put new shiny thingies on it - since its xmas and I was good this year maybe santa will hear my prayers.

Bit off topic - I couldnt believe how light my frame is after stripping it down - scale I have is crap but showed around 1200 - 1300g I don't know where the rest of 9kg is coming from so need to work on my weight for next season. There is i thin 80g difference between Ult and 105 shifters

Is there any point in switching to Campagnolo - not sure which group is equivalent of Ultegra.

Fender76

So, is there a huge difference between Ultegra and Dura Ace or is it just weight...?

seamus

omri wrote: »

Is there any point in switching to Campagnolo - not sure which group is equivalent of Ultegra.

I think your problem there is going to be compatibility. You can (generally) upgrade shimano groupsets piece-by-piece. Changing to Campag might require you to completely replace the drivetrain and shifters in a single go. Maybe Santa is that generous. I could be wrong too.

leftism

Lumen wrote: »

I sort of miss those old sprouty cables, inelegant though they are. They give something to hang on to when steering with your elbows.

+1! Was only thinking that two weeks ago on my commute home. All tucked up in my pretend TT position, steering away with my elbows while holding on to the brake cables for dear life!

Really should invest in a set of tri-bars....

omri

seamus wrote: »

I think your problem there is going to be compatibility. You can (generally) upgrade shimano groupsets piece-by-piece. Changing to Campag might require you to completely replace the drivetrain and shifters in a single go. Maybe Santa is that generous. I could be wrong too.

There will be no problem if I switch to Campy then it's going to be a full switch, but is it a worthwhile? 105 works well but I think it's time for an upgrade + weight reduction

niceonetom

5600 to 6600 or 6600SL? -> No, that would be a very marginal upgrade. Unless you could get a crazy cheap price on some old stock I wouldn't. You'd still have those exposed cables of shame.

5600 to 6700? -> maybe. I think the new ultegra is a bit better than the old. I got on well with the new lever shape and found the shifting a little better and the feeling of each click on the shifters is more positive and snappy... hiding those cables holds a lot of appeal for me.

I think it's cranks and dérailleurs are uglier than the previous generation though.

Changing groupset is an expensive (ok, more expensive) way of shedding weight though. The cheapest is obviously starvation, after that I'd look at things like seatpost, saddle and tyres before spending €700 to make my bike 200g lighter.

DirkVoodoo

omri wrote: »

There will be no problem if I switch to Campy then it's going to be a full switch, but is it a worthwhile? 105 works well but I think it's time for an upgrade + weight reduction

Are you switching just for weight? How heavy is your current bike? Is there anywhere else you might shave a few 100g from (including yourself or what you carry in your pockets).

Frame and fork are part of the package, but bike weight doesn't equal just these plus groupset - bearings, cables, bars, stem, seatpost, saddle, wheels, tyres, tubes, pedals....Little things that all start to add up.

I think you might be better off buying a new bike and keeping this one for training. You might switch the groupset at great cost and effort and find that the weight savings weren't as great as you thought.

Also, moving up the product range is one thing, changing to a new brand is another. Make sure you like the way Campagnolo shifts and how the hoods feel. You won't care about weight if you can't stand thumb shifters or something else.

EDIT: Darn, beaten by Tom!

seamus

omri wrote: »

There will be no problem if I switch to Campy then it's going to be a full switch, but is it a worthwhile? 105 works well but I think it's time for an upgrade + weight reduction

If you've money to burn, sure.
105 is generally considered "as good as you need" for everyone up to the committed amateur level. Ultegra only comes into play if you start racing in any kind of serious way.

I would be inclined to ride with your 105 groupset until something breaks and then replace them as they need to be replaced.

The weight difference is negligible - you'd be better off taking a large satisfying ****e before you go for a ride.

el tel

Careful buying shifters from CRC, often they are just provided in plastic bags without instructions and cables, hence the cheapness. OK, you can get instructions of the web but cables add an extra expense. I bought 105 10 speeds a couple of years ago and brought them back on that basis. I ended up getting a brand new & boxed set (complete with inner and outer cables) with delivery from Dave Hind cycles at less then CRC were charging for the knocked-down set.

Glencarraig

lads, can anybody tell me if I could replace my Ultegra 6600 levers with 6700's and not have to change the calipers and front changer. I was reading on another website that they may not be compatible. Any help would be appreciated.

niceonetom

Yeah, you can. Shimano will tell you that you have to get new mechs and brakes but they're lying.

dancecatz2000

You can do it but the shifting and brakes don`t feel as good as if you use the newer version, i have tried and tested, personally i think the older 6600 ultegra is better.

Glencarraig

Thanks lads, I just hate the cloths lines on my bike!!!, probably an expensive change just for the look of it !!

petethedrummer

dancecatz2000 wrote: »

You can do it but the shifting and brakes don`t feel as good as if you use the newer version, i have tried and tested, personally i think the older 6600 ultegra is better.

The 6700 gear cables have more friction due to the extra bends around the handle bars. That might explain why it doesn't feel as good.

J Madone

petethedrummer wrote: »

dancecatz2000 wrote: »

You can do it but the shifting and brakes don`t feel as good as if you use the newer version, i have tried and tested, personally i think the older 6600 ultegra is better.

The 6700 gear cables have more friction due to the extra bends around the handle bars. That might explain why it doesn't feel as good.

I love my 6700 ultegra on my winter bike, feels 90% as good as Dura ace in my opinion.
Only criticism with shimano is their chains