As much as I like Dura Ace I typically pay for Ultegra. With this news my wallet is starting to sweat:
http://www.bikerumor.com/2013/04/30/11-speed-trickles-down-shimanos-all-new-ultegra-6800-group/
The real question is: when will this actually be available – either at LBS or online – to purchase.
That asymmetrical spider configuration looks terrible.
Per Shimano: Due to the 4 arm spider design, chain rings are able to be offered in standard double, compact double, and cyclocross options all on the same crank.
I’m having a hard time feeling the need go to 11 speeds. Too many 10 speed wheels and not sure that I’m missing the 18t cog on my preferred cassette (12-25). Nor the need to go to a bigger cog on the top or an 11 at the bottom.
11 Speed:
12-25: 12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-21-23-25
10 Speed:
12-25: 12-13-14-15-16-17-19-21-23-25
That asymmetrical spider configuration looks terrible.
I think that for the Dura Ace cranks it looks fantastic. IMO it looks much better in person than in photos. It’s a million times better than that pig that Sram is putting out now.
sigh
No love for 105. Got skipped for electronic & probably 11-speed now too. Who the hell knows.
I’m in the same boat. Even an 11-28 10 speed doesn’t really bother me with the gaps. I’d love to build a 1X11 commuter, but that sounds way more expensive than just using what I already have.
Too much shifting. I’d rather just ride. My current commuter has 9-speed downtube shifters w/ a 50/34 front and 12-25 rear. I have spun out a couple times going downhill, but who cares. Just tuck and enjoy.
I’m having a hard time feeling the need go to 11 speeds. Too many 10 speed wheels and not sure that I’m missing the 18t cog on my preferred cassette (12-25). Nor the need to go to a bigger cog on the top or an 11 at the bottom.
11 Speed:
12-25: 12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-21-23-25
10 Speed:
12-25: 12-13-14-15-16-17-19-21-23-25
11 is needed for 2 people. Pros (Dura Ace obviosuly) doing the Giro, and the hoards of scared Im novices doing races like Tremblant that “need” that 9-38 or some such thing. I also here there is a hill at other IM events.
I’m having a hard time feeling the need go to 11 speeds.
There is nothing about this group, any group new that constitutes a “need” for me. However I do like to have new components when I build a new bike which is why I like looking. My next bike will likely use primarily Ultegra components so there’s my interest. I most likely wouldn’t spec an older group for a new bike.
Also take, for example, all of the crying and complaining about the price of the New P3. With the release of new groups below Dura Ace, the release of a lower-spec’d bike may be that much closer.
Pretty sure that’s another attempt by Shimano to make more of their stuff proprietary so you have to buy shimano (centerlock disc brakes, proprietary wheel parts for xtr wheels). Can’t standard rings already be put on a compact crank?
yes they can… but shifting quality suffers as a result. larger chainrings on a compact crank arent as stiff. . they even make rings for compact cranks all the way to 56 ( I remmeber seeing one from TA specialites if I recall, but front shifting isn’t very good on those.
whether this is sufficient reason to go to 4 arm is debatable, but it does offer other tangible beneifts- it saves weight while retaining the same stiffness- and a pretty hefty chunk of weight at that, too.
besides… you can’t really blame shimano for innovating. they DO make the best chainrings and some of the best cranks in the business. and they ARE th major industry player. their engineers do have a responsibility to up their game and make a better product. I personally think it’s a nifty bit of engineering. does it add value to the customer? certainly it does. there is a performance and convenience advantage to be gained. will it cost more? well if it’s proprietary shimano I’m pretty sure it will. but then good engineering doesnt come cheap. don’t like the crank? don’t use it then. its not like the gruppo is incompatible with other cranks.
I seriously doubt it is an anti-competitive tactic as well. those of you who pay any attention to shimano’s MTB line (where they are agian the major player) will notice that the 4 arm design has been around for awhile already. they just adapted it to road use.
I know this is an old thread but I’m curious now that Ultegra 6800 is starting to trickle out if anyone has any first hand experience with it? I’m really curious how it compares to Dura Ace 9000. I’m planning to build up a bike over the winter and have the option of getting a bike with DA 9000 already on it or build up a bike with Ultegra 6800. I already know Ultegra would be cheaper but a little heavier, but I’m wondering if you’ll be able to tell a difference in the way the two work.
I’m building up a road bike with Ultegra 6800 in a few weeks so will have some feedback soon. I have the group with me already but the frame and the rest of the bike isn’t ready yet. What I can say so far is that build quality looks great, Dura Ace 9000 groups I’ve seen are just a little bit better than the 6800. Biggest decision maker for me is the price, which is almost half of Dura Ace 9000 (at least here where I live)! I really like how the four-arm crank looks, although the polished silver and black of the Dura Ace looks better than the dark gray of the Ultegra.