View Full Version : Ultegra v. Dura Ace
Ultegra v. Dura Ace
I am in the market place for a new bike and I am considering
the differences between Ultegra and Dura Ace. I used to race
road bikes (Cat IV) about 12-15 years ago, and my old bike
was equipped with Dura Ace components. I really loved Dura
Ace compared to the old Shimano 600 (which I undertand was
replaced by Ultegra).
My question is: what is most peoples' experience with the
difference between the two component groups? Is a bike
equipped with Dura Ace worth the extra $1,000 as compared to
a similar bike equipped with Ultegra?
I would like to get back into racing and triathlons, but I
am primarily interested in riding on weekends and one or two
times during the week. I want something that will last for a
lot of years. Is Dura Ace much more durable than Ultegra?
Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
RD
Ultegra == 0.98 Dura-Ace quality @ 0.70 Dura-Ace price.
On 04/02/2004 08:14 PM, in article
u_pbc.4510$Kh4.598@newssvr23.news.prodigy.com, "Raoul Duke"
<r_duke@nospam.com> wrote:
> I am in the market place for a new bike and I am
> considering the differences between Ultegra and Dura Ace.
> I used to race road bikes (Cat IV) about 12-15 years ago,
> and my old bike was equipped with Dura Ace components. I
> really loved Dura Ace compared to the old Shimano 600
> (which I undertand was replaced by Ultegra).
>
> My question is: what is most peoples' experience with the
> difference between the two component groups? Is a bike
> equipped with Dura Ace worth the extra $1,000 as compared
> to a similar bike equipped with Ultegra?
>
> I would like to get back into racing and triathlons, but I
> am primarily interested in riding on weekends and one or
> two times during the week. I want something that will last
> for a lot of years. Is Dura Ace much more durable than
> Ultegra?
>
> Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.
>
> Regards,
>
> RD
>
>
--
Steven L. Sheffield stevens at veloworks dot com veloworks
at worldnet dot ay tea tee dot net bellum pax est libertas
servitus est ignoratio vis est ess ay ell tea ell ay kay ee
sea aye tee why you ti ay aitch aitch tee tea pea colon [for
word] slash [four ward] slash double-you double-yew double-
ewe dot veloworks dot com [four word] slash
"Raoul Duke" <r_duke@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:u_pbc.4510$Kh4.598@newssvr23.news.prodigy.com... <SNIP>
> My question is: what is most peoples' experience with the
> difference between the two component groups? Is a bike
> equipped with Dura Ace worth the extra $1,000 as compared
> to a similar bike equipped with Ultegra?
>
> I would like to get back into racing and triathlons, but I
> am primarily interested in riding on weekends and one or
> two times during the week. I want something that will last
> for a lot of years. Is Dura Ace much more durable than
> Ultegra?
>
<SNIP>
This has always been an easy question for me to answer. In
my view unless you are top category racer in true racing
form, or a gear head, there is no reason to purchase DA over
Ultegra. The performance characteristics are extremely close
and the weight differences really don't effect a typical
racer. Most racers can easily lose the weight delta from
their fat reserves and save the $$$.
Have fun
"Raoul Duke" <r_duke@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:u_pbc.4510$Kh4.598@newssvr23.news.prodigy.com...
> I am in the market place for a new bike and I am
> considering the
differences
> between Ultegra and Dura Ace. I used to race road bikes
> (Cat IV) about 12-15 years ago, and my old bike was
> equipped with Dura Ace components. I really loved Dura Ace
> compared to the old Shimano 600 (which I undertand
was
> replaced by Ultegra).
It's sort of a matter of taste. I had the second set of
DuraAce STI shifter in the area and I thought that they were
the cat's meow. I've since had several bikes with Ultegra on
them and although the quality is every bit as good in my
opinion, they feel totally different. Ultegra doesn't
"click" like DuraAce and I don't like that.
But more to the point - most of my bikes have been switched
to Campy for years. Campy levers feel better, shift at least
as well (for a triple they shift quite a bit better in my
estimation) and the Centaur group is priced about like an
Ultegra group and I'd rate it better than Ultegra or even
DuraAce in operational characteristics. DuraAce is good
stuff, no doubt, but you don't gain much going to DuraAce.
"Raoul Duke" wrote ...
> I used to race road bikes
First of all, please accept my appreciation for stating
"used" correctly. You don't know how many people come in
here and say "I use to ..."
>
> Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.
Second, two words: Campy Chorus. However, since you remind
me of myself five years ago, if you have the money and you
live where people care, you'll impress your friends with Dura-
Ace. If you care about value, Ultegra should be just fine.
And no one with their head screwed on straight will snub
their nose at "U."
Jim "Nothing Like Campy" Flom
What is the weight difference between the two... assuming
one installs the complete group?
news:LI6dnYBzGveBrvPdRVn-hA@comcast.com...
>
> "Raoul Duke" <r_duke@nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:u_pbc.4510$Kh4.598@newssvr23.news.prodigy.com.-
> .. <SNIP>
> > My question is: what is most peoples' experience with
> > the difference between the two component groups? Is a
> > bike equipped with Dura Ace
worth
> > the extra $1,000 as compared to a similar bike equipped
> > with Ultegra?
> >
> > I would like to get back into racing and triathlons, but
> > I am primarily interested in riding on weekends and one
> > or two times during the week.
I
> > want something that will last for a lot of years. Is
> > Dura Ace much more durable than Ultegra?
> >
> <SNIP>
>
> This has always been an easy question for me to answer. In
> my view unless you are top category racer in true racing
> form, or a gear head, there is
no
> reason to purchase DA over Ultegra. The performance
> characteristics are extremely close and the weight
> differences really don't effect a typical racer. Most
> racers can easily lose the weight delta from their fat
reserves
> and save the $$$.
>
> Have fun
On 04/02/2004 10:15 PM, in article XLrbc.1521$Sh4.1047@edtnps84, "Jim Flom"
<jimflom@telusREMOVE.net> wrote:
> Second, two words: Campy Chorus.
Blasphemer.
Three words and a number: Campy Record Carbon 10
--
Steven L. Sheffield stevens at veloworks dot com veloworks
at worldnet dot ay tea tee dot net bellum pax est libertas
servitus est ignoratio vis est ess ay ell tea ell ay kay ee
sea aye tee why you ti ay aitch aitch tee tea pea colon [for
word] slash [four ward] slash double-you double-yew double-
ewe dot veloworks dot com [four word] slash
Steven L. Sheffield wrote:
> On 04/02/2004 10:15 PM, in article
> XLrbc.1521$Sh4.1047@edtnps84, "Jim Flom"
> <jimflom@telusREMOVE.net> wrote:
>
>
>>Second, two words: Campy Chorus.
>
>
>
> Blasphemer.
>
> Three words and a number: Campy Record Carbon 10
>
>
04 Chorus 10, there, two two digit numbers and one
word... top that. Most (All?) of the carbon of Record at
usd400 less.....
OK with 9 speed? Or do you just have to have 10? DA is the
only current Brand S offering in 10, Ultegra is suposed to
be out next year.. (?)
That being said I have one of each, Ultegra 9 and Chorus 10.
Which is best? **** they both work really nicely. You mind
looking at the Brand S cable routings or do you like the
cleaner (IMHO) routings of Brand C? My right ultegra shifter
is a bit sloppy after 3000 miles, but still works. The Campy
levers feel a bit small, but all in all I like the chorus
better (Qualifier, the Chorus is brand freaken new with 25
miles on it...).
My .02... If your not a full blown gearhead or a Pro racer,
Ultegra or Chorus (even Centaur..) will be just fine.
As always this is an uncompensated opinion, YMMV.
FB - apologises for making this another Campy v
Shimano thread.
"Raoul Duke" <r_duke@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:u_pbc.4510$Kh4.598@newssvr23.news.prodigy.com...
> My question is: what is most peoples' experience with the
> difference between the two component groups? Is a bike
> equipped with Dura Ace worth the extra $1,000 as compared
> to a similar bike equipped with Ultegra?
When someone else is paying the bills ... Dura-ace or
Record ... when YOU are paying the bills, Ultegra or
Chorus. If money is not a problem get the lesser and
upgrade wheels!! Maybe get DA shifters they do have a very
different feel to them ... you'll have to adjust out the
10'th cog which is a hack.
s http://boardnbike.com (http://boardnbike.com/)
raoul-<< My question is: what is most peoples' experience
with the difference between the two component groups? Is a
bike equipped with Dura Ace worth the extra $1,000 as
compared to a similar bike equipped with Ultegra?
>><BR><BR>
10s DA or 9s?
If 9s, I would stay away as these components are not going
to be supported for long.
As for 9s Ultegra, expect a huge change to 10s for 2005...
The weak link in shimano is the non-repairability of the levers-
have ya considered Chorus and Centaur? Cheaper and
repairable.
Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535 http://www.vecchios.com (http://www.vecchios.com/) "Ruote convenzionali
costruite eccezionalmente bene"
smiles-<< Maybe get DA shifters they do have a very
different feel to them ... you'll have to adjust out the
10'th cog which is a hack. >><BR><BR>
DA 10s shifters will not shift shimano 9s spacing...
Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535 http://www.vecchios.com (http://www.vecchios.com/) "Ruote convenzionali
costruite eccezionalmente bene"
"Raoul Duke" <r_duke@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:u_pbc.4510$Kh4.598@newssvr23.news.prodigy.com...
> I would like to get back into racing and triathlons, but I
> am primarily interested in riding on weekends and one or
> two times during the week. I want something that will last
> for a lot of years. Is Dura Ace much more durable than
> Ultegra?
>
Word from the Shimano rep. at worlds last year was that some
DA components are actually less durable than their Ultegra
counterparts. If you want light weight go DA. If you want
best durability go Ultegra.
-Andy B.
"Faster Bordello" wrote ...
>
> That being said I have one of each, Ultegra 9 and Chorus
> 10. Which is best?
Some personal pref I suppose, but I don't like the way the
shifter is directly involved with the brake lever in
Shimano. For instance, once on a descent with a gloved hand
I tried to brake, and the shifter/brake lever slid out of my
hand to the inside. It was not improperly installed. There's
just too much play in there for my taste. Yum.
Jim Flom
On Sat, 03 Apr 2004 03:59:31 GMT, "Tom Kunich" <cyclintom@yahoo.com>
wrote:
>"Raoul Duke" <r_duke@nospam.com> wrote in message
>news:u_pbc.4510$Kh4.598@newssvr23.news.prodigy.com...
>> I am in the market place for a new bike and I am
>> considering the
>differences
>> between Ultegra and Dura Ace.
>
>It's sort of a matter of taste. I had the second set of
>DuraAce STI shifter in the area and I thought that they
>were the cat's meow. I've since had several bikes with
>Ultegra on them and although the quality is every bit as
>good in my opinion, they feel totally different. Ultegra
>doesn't "click" like DuraAce and I don't like that.
Tom:
I'm guessing (not a big stretch) that your Dura Ace STI was
the 8-speed (7400 Series) stuff. You're right, they do feel
different; but they also feel different from Dura Ace 9-
speed. It's because of the smaller amount of cable pull
required. You don't have to move the 8-speed levers very far
to get them to shift.
When I converted my Vitus 992 (you appreciate that, right
Tom?) from 8 to 9-speed Dura Ace I put the 8-speed stuff on
my old Trek beater. I had that bike out for the first time
this year just the other day. My first impression, "Boy
these shifters feel great!"
BTW, the 8-speed group was purchased in 1992, and still
functions perfectly. Too bad it's as lonely an orphan as my
992's headset. :-(
jeverett3<AT>earthlink<DOT>net
http://home.earthlink.net/~jeverett3
"Steven L. Sheffield" <stevens@veloworks.com> wrote in message news:<BC937E1C.2A3FD%stevens@veloworks.com>...
> Ultegra == 0.98 Dura-Ace quality @ 0.70 Dura-Ace price.
This is the correct answer.
Wayne himself says, "If you could ride with your eyes
closed it would be impossible to tell the difference
between DA and Ultegra. The only real difference is weight,
and that isn't much".
"Bestest Handsander" <none@u.biz> wrote in message
news:cuudnWVw-sJu3PPd4p2dnA@aros.net...
> What is the weight difference between the two... assuming
> one installs the complete group?
>
>
<SNIP>
I am not sure of the complete group with the DA 10 speed and
Ultegra still at 9 speed. I do know the differences of some
of the key components. Weight in grams.
Brakes - DA- 314 U - 335
Shifter/Brake levers - DA- 419 U - 485
Cassette - DA- 280 U - 190
Chain - DA-280 U- 304
Pedals - DA-270 U - 304
Thanks to all for the excellent responses to my original query re: Dura Ace
v. Ultegra. I am persuaded to go with Ultegra and use the
$1000 savings to upgrade various components.
Thanks again,
RD
On 2004-04-03 06:42:38 -0800, "Andy Birko" <wattact@hotmail.com> said:
>
> "Raoul Duke" <r_duke@nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:u_pbc.4510$Kh4.598@newssvr23.news.prodigy.com...
>> I would like to get back into racing and triathlons, but
>> I am primarily interested in riding on weekends and one
>> or two times during the week. I want something that will
>> last for a lot of years. Is Dura Ace much more durable
>> than Ultegra?
>>
>
> Word from the Shimano rep. at worlds last year was that
> some DA components are actually less durable than their
> Ultegra counterparts. If you want light weight go DA. If
> you want best durability go Ultegra.
>
> -Andy B.
Sure, like the cassette? Steel is more duable than Ti.
I doubt as a whole Ultegra is more durable than DA, though.
DA is good for 40K+ miles for me (for everything but "wear
parts" which is cogs and chains and brake pads. I seem to
get a bug to get a whole new bike every 4 years or so, which
means I don't typically test it for more than that.
"scott" <scottsmack@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:e048ac47.0404031222.1be47339@posting.google.com...
> "Steven L. Sheffield" <stevens@veloworks.com> wrote
> in message
news:<BC937E1C.2A3FD%stevens@veloworks.com>...
> > Ultegra == 0.98 Dura-Ace quality @ 0.70 Dura-Ace price.
>
>
> This is the correct answer.
>
> Wayne himself says, "If you could ride with your eyes
> closed it would be impossible to tell the difference
> between DA and Ultegra. The only real difference is
> weight, and that isn't much".
Unless you can't count, wouldn't you notice that extra cog
in the rear?? But yes, 98% of Dura-Ace sounds fair.
Dave
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