How much of an upgrade is it to jumping from 105 to Ultegra? How about 105 to Dura Ace (9 speed)? I need new shifters on my road bike.
Dave from VA
The Dura Ace STI shifters have a shorter throw than the others. Other than that, you won’t notice much difference.
Each level is just a little bit lighter than the next cheapest and perhaps shifting gets a little better. The cost of Ultegra over 105 is very little so it’s usually worth spending a few bucks more for it. But Dura-Ace can cost almost twice as much as Ultegra and there’s no way it is twice as good.
Here it is from the Shimano catalog:
Compare 105 to Ultegra: (improvements over 105 listed)
-Sealed ceramic bushing pulleys.
-Sealed bracket pivots on Rear Derailleur.
-Aluminum inner and outer links on R.D.
-215 grams for Ultegra vs. 228 grams for 105.
-ST6000 adjustable reach lever available for Ultegra.
-485 grams STi Lever vs. 495 for 105.
-Reinforced crank spider arms.
-Single key release bolt on Ultegra crank.
-864 gram crank vs. 904 grams for 105.
-Recessed pivot bolt on brakes (exposed on 105).
-334 gram brakes vs 353 grams for 105.
-Zinc plated chain (105 not plated).
-Alloy sprocket carrier on cogset (steel on 105).
-Plated sprockets.
-210 grams for 12-23 vs. 236 grams for 105.
Basically, those are the differences.
DO NOT buy Dura-ace 9 speed right now. You will regret it. There is going to be very poor parts availability for spares. We are already experiencing it. If you get Dura-Ace, get the 10- speed.
Be advised Ultegra 10 speed is due out “Some time after June/July” according to two bike company sources I’ve spoken with. This could account for some of the current shortages of 9 speed '03/04 Ultegra.
Shimano is pulling all their 9sp Dura Ace stuff??? The bastards. I’m all for advances in technology but what about the people that see no need for that many gears? Grr!! It’s enough to make this die hard Shimano fan make the move to the dark side of the force and go Campy in protest. just when I thought I had it all figured out (buy up everyones Dura Ace 9 as they upgrade to 10) they go and do this to me. Now prices for DA9 will jump again. And just when the crappy Canadian dollar was working in my favour too. A pox on your first born Shimano…a pox I say.
I don’t think they’re pulling their 9sp stuff. I think Tom was just saying that it’s hard to come by right now. Maybe they’re concentrating on their 10sp rollout before the continue production making 9sp parts.
I just got a 9 sp DA gruppo bike a few months ago. My LBS owner said I wouldn’t have a problem getting replacement parts in the future. He said you can still get 7sp and 8sp stuff if you really want to.
Tom would know better than I, though. Tom, can you clarify?
My understanding, per our Shimano outside sales rep Bill Rehor, is that 2004 Shimano Dura-Ace 10 Speed is the replacement for the previous 2003 Dura-Ace 9 Speed.
That Implies, and I infer, that production of Shimano Dura-Ace 9 speed has either been suspended or will be suspended soon, although I emphasize that has not been confirmed by Shimano.
They’re still bastards for even thinking about phasing out nine in favour of ten speeds. I’ll buy up everyones NOS 9 before I fall into a lemming like line to get anything 10. Everyone has a line in the sand and this is where I draw mine. Are you listening Shimano??!! Enough gears already!
3 blades is enough in the razor, just made the switch to that myself but I’m NOT making the jump to DA 10spd. I could actually go to 8spd and still be fine. Just ive me a 16 and a 23.
Yeah! (insert pissed off look here) What’s with that? Three is good so what…four is better? We are so lead down the garden path where that is concerned. And yet none of those ads mention the fact that adding one more of ‘whatever’ adds another 30% to the overall cost.
Shimano DA 9 speed is no longer being made, that’s it, caput, end of story.
Bleh. So what would it cost say to upgrade the minimum pieces of my drivetrain to get to DA 10 sp? I don’t need new brakes, hubs, bb, obviously… So which pieces would I need and approximately how much are we talking about?
Just curious… Like I said, my 9sp is only a few months old, so that should last me a long time with proper care.
You could still use your cassete BODY (i.e. wheels) and your brake calipers. Everything else has to go.
what about the rear derailer, you can go from nine speed to 10 speed and vice versa with campy. I’d imagine you MIGHt be able to do the same. You can also use the your cranks without an issue (although those are one of the 10 speed highlights)
Hell, ive been using a nine speed front derailer on my campy 10 speed, i just pushed it slightly wider with pliers
IMHO it would be better to go with Ultegra over the 105…not that huge of a difference but I think a little better. I think that for a tri bike Ultegra is a good way to go as opposed to dura ace…I ride both and don’t notice a huge difference. That said I would prefer dura ace over Ultegra if your doing bike racing on a road bike. In bike racing I think that the Dura Ace is more reliable, the STI is much nicer, smoother shifting and overall just plain better. In tri’s your by yourself as opposed to two inches apart in a pack of 50 guys going 30MPH into a tight turn, usually use the bar end shifters anyway, and the difference isn’t enought to justify the cost. That being said some people will only ride Dura Ace, some will only ride Campy Record and will give testimony as if it was Gospel…but if you have a budget and want good performance Ultegra is a good way to go. Plus when you need to change out the cassette, chainrings, and chain you don’t have to sell a vital organ on the blackmarket to replace it.