Shimano introduces an additional edition of the popular Ultegra racing components. “Ultegra SL” it is named and besides offering an attractive new colour (“Ice Grey”), the group is 97 grams lighter than the standard Ultegra components.
Shimano took this opportunity to simultaneously introduce an Ultegra branded 10-speed compact crankset (50-34T). It will be available in two colour options: standard silver and “Ice Grey”.
The “Ice Grey” double crankset (52-39T and 53-39T) is 35 grams lighter than the current version. Also a triple crankset will be available with a chainring combination of 52-39-30 teeth.
All Ultegra cranksets have been developed with Shimano’s proven HOLLOWTECH II technology that increases rigidity while saving weight. They also feature Shimano HYPERDRIVE technology with shift ramps and special designed chainrings for an unmatched front shifting performance. Crankarm length choices will be 165, 170, 172.5 and 175mm.
The “Ice Grey” Dual Control Levers (-43g), rear derailleur (-9g) and brake calipers (-10g) are also more lightweight than the standard Ultegra components while performance and durability stay the same.
There will also be a matching colour version of the new Ultegra SPD-SL pedals PD-6620 with a wide pedal platform for increased stability and a stainless steel pedal body cover for extra durability. Last but not least, also the Ultegra clincher wheel set WH-6600 will be available in “Ice Grey”, completing this attractive group set.
The extra lightweight “Ice Grey” Ultegra SL group will for sure be an attractive choice for all those road racers searching for maximum performance combined with an outstanding design.
Wow, that looks great. Too bad I am sold on SRAM…but then again…
New color is cool.
New teeth options are cool.
97 grams is nothing. If you are at a level where you are caring about that then you should be using Dura-Ace anyway. Just lose a quarter of a pound for same weight savings.
Sweet, been putting off replacing the single pivot 600’s on my grey Sycip partly for cost, partly for looks. Now I have one less excuse.
Seems kinda funky to have the rear derailuer grey but not the front. Probably wouldn’t swap though I am looking for another set to finish a build. Need some silver in the mix.
Kevin
“Seems kinda funky to have the rear derailuer grey but not the front”
I think the front clamp is grey. Just not the der. itself…I wonder if the grey would hold up on the der. itself…
Yes, exactly right.
Didn’t think about that. It seems like if it’ll hold that polish it would hold the grey especially since they have the grey on the chainrings. It looked like they only did the “new” parts and the ones they lightened. Be interesting if they did do just the clamp.
I love Shimano, but this group makes zero sense to me. No one was asking for something in between Ultegra & Dura-Ace - the difference between the two is just enough and makes sense just as it is. I’d rather they’d put their energy into a Dura-Ace level compact crankset; that’s what everyone asks us for.
The big surprise will be in Sept!
How many years did ShimaNO not hear their fans begging for ten speed before they responded?
Just wait to you see my new crankset. The chainrings are tied to the BB spindle and not the crankarms. So single, double, triple, compact drive, can be used on the same crankarms.
Steve
www.sidemountpedal.com
I feel we are at least five years away from a truly good ten speed chain. 1500 miles on average to replace a chain, so as not to age the rest of the drive, is an insult to every consumer who has to buy one
Steve
SMp
“It seems like if it’ll hold that polish it would hold the grey especially since they have the grey on the chainrings”
Very true. Though it’ll depend on how the grey is done…time will tell. Either way, I think the grey looks good. I’m surprised about the group though, maybe this is the Shimano way of getting rid of the old Ultegra and the new group will be the standard in the near future? Who knows, but it seems to fill a very small window between the original Ultegra and DA.
Marketing wins again!
“Marketing wins again!”
How so? I really like the way the new SRAM shifts…don’t see me leaving it for grey stuff…but the grey does look better than the old polished, IMO. But carbon still tops the list on sexiness…
I mean the ShimaNO marketing team.
Why? Because they basically did nothing (a few grams? WOW), changed the color, and created a whole new gruppo?? Yes…
But that’s how the world turns unfortunately. Speaking of marketing, have you seen “The Bean” on late-night infomercials…wow.
Any idea how the weight of the compact crank compares to the FC-R700 (the current non-labled, “Ultegra level” crank)
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