I am new to the bike world. I was going to change my tri bike from ultegra to dura-ace (there is a sale on dura-ace components pre-Hollowtech). A couple of questions. What is the difference between 9speed and 10 speed (I don’t know what is on my bike now, where do I find out)? Is there a big difference between ultegra and dura-ace? Why does this stuff have to be so expensive?
Forgive me for asking, but if you aren’t sure of the difference between Ultegra & DA why do you want to upgrade? If you don’t “know” the difference you probably won’t be able to “tell” the difference either, except DA is more expensive.
Is there something wrong with the Ultegra components you have now?
If, the reality is that you just like the bling factor of DA, then by all means, upgrade and help the economy. I got no problem with that, just want to be clear why we do what we do.
count the no. of cogs on the rear wheel cassette. 9 cogs = 9 spd. same for 10 spd.
there is a difference between ultegra and dura ace, but if you don’t know the difference, this most likely is not a wise or necessary purchase for you…
The new Ultegra group is also 10-speed and it almost as good as the new Dura-Ace for a fraction of the price.
If you wait until September this year, the new 105 10-speed group will be released at a lower price than Ultegra. But riht now the price difference between 105 and Ultegra is so little that I would choose Ultegra.
I feel like I have to answer to my mom when I post a thread. Thanks for your replies.
Justificaction:
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The Dura-Ace is obviously lighter on comparison to Ultegra.
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I have another bike I was going to use my old ultegra components on.
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I put a new dura-ace cassette on my zipp wheels so I was going to move to a dura-ace crank (but didn’t want to spend the big bling for the new hollow-tech 10 sp design hence my post).
Questions:
Why ride 10 speed components when 9 speed seems just as good? Is it important to have the many gear selections?
Thanks (maybe I should quit riding since I am uneducated in the bicycling arena)
I think the new Ultegra gropup with 10-speed and hollowtech crank with external bearings is better than the old Dura-Ace group.
Is the offer on the old Dura-Ace group much cheaper than the new Ultegra group?
Otherwise I think you should buy the new Ultegra group instead.
Team CSC raced with 9-speed Dura-Ace in 2003 because they were sponsored by SRAM and used SRAM cogs and chains, which are only available in 9 speed. All other Div I teams raced with 10-speed, but it didn’t seem to hold CSC back, winning the teams competition and 3 stage victories in Tour de France for three different riders (Piil, Sastre and Hamilton).
easy there, doc, no one said quit riding.
here are a few issues to consider:
cranks do not need to be changed unless you want to. 9-spd cranks will work w/ 10-spd. cranks and vice-versa.
if you keep both bikes 9-spd (or get them both 10-spd), you will have complete wheel and shifting compatibility between both bikes–a big plus.
and if you stay on the same “speed” (9 with 9, or 10 with 10), ultegra and dura ace components can be completely mixed and matched. you can pick the best ones and the best priced ones for your bikes and needs.
dura ace is only a few grams lighter than ultegra (comparing 9 spd to 9 spd, and 10 spd to 10 spd).
the 10-spd components have some improvements in design over the 9 spd line (although i have heard a no. of people complain the new external bearings on the new cranks are not reliable in weather), but having an extra cog (over 9 spd) is of very, very little benefit. in some ways, it is worse. the 10 spd cogs are slightly thinner and will wear out sooner. not to mention the 10 spd items are all a lot more expensive.
does that help a little?
Awesome. Thanks. Exactly what I was looking for. I am such a skeptical shopper with some of this stuff. Believe me, I have been burned by buying unnecessary items.
IMHO, some of this equipment seems durable enough for the lifetime of a rider. When I first started I new very little and raced as fast or faster with less (and the equipment is still holding up). My whole family is getting into it, so the stuff I buy should be durable and affordable.
I just got burned last weekend on a pair of Speedplay X3’s. A pedal seized up, I took it to the shop and they said there was nothing they could do so I had to spring for a new pair of X2’s for a race the next day. That chapped my a…
This is a cheaper sport than the equine sports though.
but for the equine stuff, it seems the medal should go to the horse…
greg, they are amazing athletes. when my life is less crazy i want to get into endurance racing with horses. people in this forum think they are one with their bikes. they should ride horses. i have seen unbelievable stuff. greater than the cinderella bike stories.
got the post about team CSC. thanks. i think someone’s closer is “it’s not the bike, it’s the rider.” time to end this thread and go back to lurking.