Letsbike: 105 vs Ultegra for a hobbycyclist?

i found a discernible difference between 105 and the Ultegra (mechanical) on bikes i took for test rides

Ultegra shifted better - much more precise and smooth

worth the $$

I have a 5 yr old cannondale alum 105 bike that is my commuter and its great, also use it for hobby cycling races

I use a ~7 year old P2 cervelo for time trial/tri type recreational pursuits and both seem fine

I do have to laugh about how scared people are to buy a decent bike tho [if you can afford/justify it? who cares?]

me I slide right into that ~800-900 craigslist budget tho. Do whatever you want, people will always be faster for less $, and slower with more $$$, who gives a f*ck, it doesnt make you any more/less special. [but maybe dont be a douche about things if you can help it if you see somebody slightly more Fred than you]

I race CAT 2.

105 is solid. I personally like ultergra I have ultegra on my "B" bike.

When people ask me what type of bike to get. Hands down Specialized Allez Sprint. This is the best bang for you buck bike. It is my "B" bike. Unless you are getting top of the line carbon, I would go with that. I know guys that have sold carbon to go with this. Personally I do not like 3rd or 2nd tier carbon bikes as they are often heavier than aluminum and don't feel as sharp.

This is one of the best bikes you can buy, all you need to do is upgrade groupset and add carbon wheels and it is a weapon.

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/allez-sprint-comp/p/154234?color=239540-154234

Yeah- get the Sprint Comp if you want a crit monster- but like I read over- they want comfort "probably an "endurance" style bike with some relaxed geometry". Not way you going to be more comfortable on that then something like the Defy- even if it is their second tier carbon and an aluminum steerer.

But I'm like you- if I wanted a hardcore, thoroughbred race bike I would be split between the CAAD12 (or CAAD13 when it is released soon) or the Spesh Sprint.

Compared to the Sprint, the CAAD12 is only $300 more and you get full Ultegra and a HollowGram Si crank which is stupid stiff.

FaporVly wrote:

I've owned much of the Shimano lineup from Dura Ace to the long-gone RX100. 105 is great. For hobby cycling, I wouldn't bother paying for higher levels than that. Ultegra felt a tiny bit more positive than 105, but definitely not worth the extra money. And for mountain biking, LX is the sweet spot, with XT not being worth the extra money, IMO.

I have the same history as FaporVly and totally agree with his comments. 105 is fine for what you plan to use it for.

I bought a Trek Emonda last summer with Ultegra, its a work of art.

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/road-bikes/performance-road-bikes/%C3%A9monda/%C3%A9monda-sl/%C3%A9monda-sl-6-disc/p/22109/

True true, totally discounted the CAAD. Great choice too.

El Jefe Maninchargo wrote:

Buy a mountain bike or at the very least a cyclocross bike. Road biking sucks and is dangerous, unless you live in a sparcely populated area. A leaned out XC mountain bike can be just as much fun if you have rolling dirt roads or mellow trails--and same goes for a cross bike.

Altho this sounds good, isn't it contradictory? If he does live in an urban area, then road bikes would be more convenient.

I would choose a bike with 105 components. It's not quite as good as Ultegra but it's still very good. Next I would look for a carbon fiber frame. Wheelset is very important as that is what is in contact with the ground.

I myself got quite lucky when Performance Bike went out of business. I picked up a 2018 Fuji Transonic 2.3 for only $1,120! Carbon Fiber Frame and Ultegra all around. For pedals I bought some Shimano 105 7000 from Performance for about 50% off.

https://archive.fujibikes.com/2018/Fuji/transonic-234

shimanoshimoono wrote:

i found a discernible difference between 105 and the Ultegra (mechanical) on bikes i took for test rides

Ultegra shifted better - much more precise and smooth

worth the $$

Then your bike shop hosed you by sending you out on a 105 bike that needed a tune up. There is zero difference other than weight betweetn 105 and Ultegra.

Cy Clist wrote:

shimanoshimoono wrote:

i found a discernible difference between 105 and the Ultegra (mechanical) on bikes i took for test rides

Ultegra shifted better - much more precise and smooth

worth the $$

Then your bike shop hosed you by sending you out on a 105 bike that needed a tune up. There is zero difference other than weight betweetn 105 and Ultegra.

^ exactly what I was about to say. Either that or you imagined it, but I would not trust that shop.

In terms of both comfort and performance, high-quality aluminum is at least as good as low-quality carbon. And as others have said, Ultegra is only better than 105 for style points. Plus don't forget, drivetrain parts wear out, and replacing 105 is cheaper than replacing Ultegra. Yes you can always replace Ultegra with 105 as it wears out, but why bother with the expensive stuff to start?

If I was spending $2-3k on a bike I would get this:

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/road-bikes/performance-road-bikes/%C3%A9monda/%C3%A9monda-alr/%C3%A9monda-alr-5-disc/p/24166/?colorCode=grey

In-between type of position, fairly light, good hydraulic disc breaks, and reliable parts. Then:

-Replace the tires for good 28mm tires, something like these:

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/us/en/continental-grand-prix-4000s-ii-road-tyre/rp-prod120460

-Get a good pair or two of bib shorts, and some clip-in ("clipless") shoes and pedals.

-Pay for proper maintenance. Get the chain replaced after 2k miles, and have them index the gears, check the alignment of the derailleur hanger, and check spoke tension.

help a brother out. feel free to recommend a $2-3k bike too wrote:

Will be replacing a 10-15yr old Madone with a 105/Ultegra mix. Will modern 105 (with disc brakes) feel like a big upgrade over that?

What's wrong with the Madone? I'm familiar with it other than to know it was top of the line back then. Why not just upgrade the worn out drivetrain and tires and adjust the fit to be more relaxed? It should still be a great bike.

The amount of people suggesting Tiagra is somewhat appalling. Have some respect for yourselves.

Seriously. If you have the money you always buy the best that you can truly afford. You are talking about quality of life. It doesn't matter if you're a hobbycyclist or a pro, if you're staying within your means get the best. Well, I admit to being a very sensitive and sensual individual and some of you are cavemen that have part of your brains lying dormant. Let's put it this way, if you can appreciate art, such as music with no words, get Ultegra or Dura-Ace. The feel gets better and better until Ultegra and then it's just a matter of tasting the different colors that are Ultegra and Dura-Ace.

Tiagra. This has to be a joke right? I can ride the piss out of any bike you give me, even beachcruisers with total trash components and it has a certain amount of enjoyability to it, but the right feel only amplifies those situations. It's like signal to noise ratio; Ultegra and Dura-Ace minimize the noise and then you can enjoy the signal nearly distortion free.

Next up: if you're wearing bibs that cost less than $200 you're probably horrible in bed.

So true. If you've got the money you should never ride Tiagra.

tl;dr version: I have a small penis, and I write too many words and buy expensive things to compensate.

David S wrote:

I have both, although my bikes are nearly ten years old at this point. Honestly I liked the old 105. The Ultegra shifting is snappier and stays in alignment a little bit better, but I wouldn't pay $1500 for it. Test ride both and see what you think?

If you really like your existing bikes, you could keep the frame and buy a new groupset, pedals, & brakes.

Y’all smell like some Freds in a midlife crises.

go for a rebuild wrote:

David S wrote:

I have both, although my bikes are nearly ten years old at this point. Honestly I liked the old 105. The Ultegra shifting is snappier and stays in alignment a little bit better, but I wouldn't pay $1500 for it. Test ride both and see what you think?

If you really like your existing bikes, you could keep the frame and buy a new groupset, pedals, & brakes.

That will cost more just buying a new bike.