Shimano Ultegra vs 105

Inventor

I am somebody who has only been cycling for 4 months and I started with a cheap halfords Carrea and a mixture of Aldi and Lidl gear. However as the bug has now firmly taken hold I am looking to upgrade the bike and equipment. My aim is to participate in a range of events such as the An post series and I think I can get fit enough to look at the 100/160k routes.

I am thinking of a Canyon roadlite and looking at the AL6.0 and AL7.0 the main difference seems to be the chainset which is shimano Ultegra on the 7 and shimano 105 on the 6.

My question is what difference will I notice between the two and is it worth the €250.00 difference.

Also if I intend cycling on hilly routes would the advice be to go with the triple chainring over the standard compact which would cost an extra €50.00.

Any help or advice would be appreciated

Kav0777

When you're deciding whether to go with a triple over you should also consider the rear cassette ratios as well. For example the easiest gear on a triple with an 11-25 rear cassette will be pretty much the same as a compact with an 11 - 28 rear cassette.

Here's a link from a previous thread where this was discussed:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=74616318

manwithaplan

I don't know what other differences in spec there are but I wouldn't pay an extra €250 for Ultegra over 105. Ultegra is a bit lighter but otherwise there's not a whole heap of difference.

I would go for a compact over a triple. Should give you all the gears you need for Irish hills.

+1 on the cassette question. 11-28 will be a bit 'gappy' but it's cheap enough to replace when you get a bit stronger (much cheaper than doing a conversion from a triple to a double). You could go for 12-27 maybe.

Inventor

I think the only other difference are the wheels
Roadlite 7.0 Mavic Aksium WTS with Mavic Aksium WTS 25 mm tyres
Roadlite 6.0 Mavic Aksium wheels with Continental Grand Prix 4000 S tyres

velo.2010

Inventor wrote: »

I am somebody who has only been cycling for 4 months and I started with a cheap halfords Carrea and a mixture of Aldi and Lidl gear. However as the bug has now firmly taken hold I am looking to upgrade the bike and equipment. My aim is to participate in a range of events such as the An post series and I think I can get fit enough to look at the 100/160k routes.

I am thinking of a Canyon roadlite and looking at the AL6.0 and AL7.0 the main difference seems to be the chainset which is shimano Ultegra on the 7 and shimano 105 on the 6.

My question is what difference will I notice between the two and is it worth the €250.00 difference.

If your someone who is relatively new to cycling then your not going to really notice the difference between the two groupsets or the 200g weight difference between the two bikes. Guys who have been cycling for a while and/or race would go for Ultegra because of the snappier shifting and stiffer crankset. However the new 5700 105 gruppo is more than capable! Plus you get the better tyres (GP4000s) with the Roadlite 6 model. I'd say say yourself the e250 and maybe invest in some new gear.:)

fat bloke

I've got Dura ace on my race bike and recently got a training bike with 105 on it and honest to God, if you blindfolded me and sent me out for a spin, I couldn't tell you the difference between them (before crashing obviously).

One thing I do notice and I'd be interested to hear others take on this, is that if I don't rigourously oil up the group set after riding in the wet - it seems to rust up alarmingly quickly - teeth on the cassette, the chaine, inside the bolts on the derailleurs and brakes and things. Never had that problem with dura ace. -Just something I noticed, but nothing that a squirt of 3 in 1 before and after spins can't keep under control.

C3PO

Practically you won't notice the difference but personally (if money wasn't a big issue) I'd go for the Ultegra!
I'd be willing to bet that lots (most?) of us here are riding bikes with higher specs than we really need! I recently upgraded from Chorus/Centaur to Record 11 - doesn't really feel much different but **** me it looks great!!

-Chris-

I'd go for the Ultegra if only because it would annoy me if, 3 months later, I was looking at my bike and thinking "I wish I had a nicer <insert part here>, must see if I can get my credit card limit increased... ".

boege

-Chris- wrote: »

I'd go for the Ultegra if only because it would annoy me if, 3 months later, I was looking at my bike and thinking "I wish I had a nicer <insert part here>, must see if I can get my credit card limit increased... ".

Could not disagree more, 3 months later your going to want a carbon frame bike. Ask me how I know:mad:

105 groupsep set is plenty. Save the money for better wheels and you can use them on your new carbon bike when you buy it;)

byebye

boege wrote: »

Could not disagree more, 3 months later your going to want a carbon frame bike. Ask me how I know:mad:

105 groupsep set is plenty. Save the money for better wheels and you can use them on your new carbon bike when you buy it;)

I agree 105 is a great groupset looks great works great! dont worry you'l find plenty to spend €250 on more shiny bits!

021CRETE01

Inventor wrote: »

I am somebody who has only been cycling for 4 months and I started with a cheap halfords Carrea and a mixture of Aldi and Lidl gear. However as the bug has now firmly taken hold I am looking to upgrade the bike and equipment. My aim is to participate in a range of events such as the An post series and I think I can get fit enough to look at the 100/160k routes.

I am thinking of a Canyon roadlite and looking at the AL6.0 and AL7.0 the main difference seems to be the chainset which is shimano Ultegra on the 7 and shimano 105 on the 6.

My question is what difference will I notice between the two and is it worth the €250.00 difference.

Also if I intend cycling on hilly routes would the advice be to go with the triple chainring over the standard compact which would cost an extra €50.00.

Any help or advice would be appreciated

I would go with the 105 equipped AL6 and save your €250 for more important & beneficial upgrades or cycle clothing.My first road bike had 105 which was great.Years later my good wife treated me to a Merlin Magia (BOAST) with Ultegra groupset but to be honest I couldnt tell the difference between Ultegra and 105 and as the parts are wearing out I am replacing them with 105 anyway (cheaper and just as good). Good Luck with your new bike!

Inventor

Manys thanks to all for the very informative and useful replies. I think I will go with the Roadlite 6.0 compact with the 11-28 cassette. From the research I have done on here and on other sites it seems to be pretty good value at €999.

vertigo1976

Good choice on that bike and spec. I've 105 5700 on my winter bike and am very impressed with it. It'll make for a great winter bike too when you get the carbon bug!