Ultegra or 105 - Groupset Upgrade
Discussion
I've currently got a Cube Peloton Compact (2014) which I bought a couple of years ago.
Over the last year or so I've been getting more and more into my road cycling (this year I'm doing Revolve 24) so have been upgrading bits on the bike.
I've already changed the wheels for some Fulcrum Racing Quattros, changed the brake blocks and shortened the stem. This has decreased the weight a bit and it now comes in at 9.6kg along with massively improving the feel of the bike.
I was going to get a new carbon bike (with ultegra), but none look as good as my current frame IMO (also the OH would rather I didn't splash over £1k on a new one), so now I'm just going to look at upgrading my current one a little more.
I've got a new saddle and seatpost coming but I want to upgrade the groupset at some point (preferably before september)
I can pick up the Ultegra 6800 Groupset for around £400 or the 105 5800 for around £270.
I'm very tempted by the Ultegra because it's higher spec than the 105 and lighter, but in terms of feel, will I actually gain that much by spending the extra £130 on it?
Thoughts and Opinions Please.
Over the last year or so I've been getting more and more into my road cycling (this year I'm doing Revolve 24) so have been upgrading bits on the bike.
I've already changed the wheels for some Fulcrum Racing Quattros, changed the brake blocks and shortened the stem. This has decreased the weight a bit and it now comes in at 9.6kg along with massively improving the feel of the bike.
I was going to get a new carbon bike (with ultegra), but none look as good as my current frame IMO (also the OH would rather I didn't splash over £1k on a new one), so now I'm just going to look at upgrading my current one a little more.
I've got a new saddle and seatpost coming but I want to upgrade the groupset at some point (preferably before september)
I can pick up the Ultegra 6800 Groupset for around £400 or the 105 5800 for around £270.
I'm very tempted by the Ultegra because it's higher spec than the 105 and lighter, but in terms of feel, will I actually gain that much by spending the extra £130 on it?
Thoughts and Opinions Please.
Currently running Continental Grand Prix tyres and normal tubes. Not overly keen on latex ones due to the rough roads around here.
If there is literally no difference between the two, then I'll go for the 105.
The only reason I could see for going Ultegra is it saves about 300g in weight.
If there is literally no difference between the two, then I'll go for the 105.
The only reason I could see for going Ultegra is it saves about 300g in weight.
Dannbodge said:
Currently running Continental Grand Prix tyres and normal tubes. Not overly keen on latex ones due to the rough roads around here.
If there is literally no difference between the two, then I'll go for the 105.
The only reason I could see for going Ultegra is it saves about 300g in weight.
Latex be better on those roads, easily worth doing.If there is literally no difference between the two, then I'll go for the 105.
The only reason I could see for going Ultegra is it saves about 300g in weight.
300g means nothing. The average piss weighs more than that.
I wouldn't bother until you can upgrade the lot.
My Mrs had a Cube Peleton 2014 with 105 ... the bike was absolutely dead ... the frame was uncomfortable and generally dead feeling. 105 was ok, and did a job but upgrading the components doesn't really get away from the general feeling the frame has. I've now replaced it with a carbon Emonda with Ultegra and the difference is like night and day ... yes its probably 1.5/2kg lighter but the whole bike rides and handles so much better.
I'd save your money until you can afford to get a better frame ... 105 components on decent frame are a better option than Ultegra on a dead frame!
My Mrs had a Cube Peleton 2014 with 105 ... the bike was absolutely dead ... the frame was uncomfortable and generally dead feeling. 105 was ok, and did a job but upgrading the components doesn't really get away from the general feeling the frame has. I've now replaced it with a carbon Emonda with Ultegra and the difference is like night and day ... yes its probably 1.5/2kg lighter but the whole bike rides and handles so much better.
I'd save your money until you can afford to get a better frame ... 105 components on decent frame are a better option than Ultegra on a dead frame!
upsidedownmark said:
If it's any use, I recently bought a new bike with 5800 105 on it - was planning to upgrade, but the 5800 is so damn good I'm not going to. It's light years better than the 6700 ultegra on my old bike.
It isn't light years ahead of 6700. Maybe your old 6700 just wasn't set up right. I do love an upgrade, so as others have said the shift will feel the same. I'd go for full 105, but upgrade the brakes to either 6700 (Cheap!) or 6800. I personally think the Ultegra brakes are much better than 105.
I recently bought a bike with Ultegra mechs and shifters. Brakes are 105 and crank/chainset is Praxis. Will eventually upgrade the pads and brakes.
Both set up perfectly fine, and by the same person.
Light years may be an overstatement, but to be specific: The lever action is considerably lighter, and the x800 series brakes are definitely more powerful than the -700 series ones. Mostly I suspect down to different pull ratios between the older/newer generation. Having ridden 5800 and 6800 brakes, they're identical to use. Different materials in the caliper, but the function is the same.
Light years may be an overstatement, but to be specific: The lever action is considerably lighter, and the x800 series brakes are definitely more powerful than the -700 series ones. Mostly I suspect down to different pull ratios between the older/newer generation. Having ridden 5800 and 6800 brakes, they're identical to use. Different materials in the caliper, but the function is the same.
JEA1K said:
I wouldn't bother until you can upgrade the lot.
My Mrs had a Cube Peleton 2014 with 105 ... the bike was absolutely dead ... the frame was uncomfortable and generally dead feeling. 105 was ok, and did a job but upgrading the components doesn't really get away from the general feeling the frame has. I've now replaced it with a carbon Emonda with Ultegra and the difference is like night and day ... yes its probably 1.5/2kg lighter but the whole bike rides and handles so much better.
I'd save your money until you can afford to get a better frame ... 105 components on decent frame are a better option than Ultegra on a dead frame!
What do you mean by dead?My Mrs had a Cube Peleton 2014 with 105 ... the bike was absolutely dead ... the frame was uncomfortable and generally dead feeling. 105 was ok, and did a job but upgrading the components doesn't really get away from the general feeling the frame has. I've now replaced it with a carbon Emonda with Ultegra and the difference is like night and day ... yes its probably 1.5/2kg lighter but the whole bike rides and handles so much better.
I'd save your money until you can afford to get a better frame ... 105 components on decent frame are a better option than Ultegra on a dead frame!
I kind of understand what you mean as it felt a little numb when i got it, but since changing the wheels it's got a lot more zipp to it and feels more lively.
I can afford to and could easily buy a carbon frame, but finding one that I like is fairly difficult. The only one that does anything for me is the planet X ec130 or Ribble gran fondo.
Dannbodge said:
What do you mean by dead?
I kind of understand what you mean as it felt a little numb when i got it, but since changing the wheels it's got a lot more zipp to it and feels more lively.
I can afford to and could easily buy a carbon frame, but finding one that I like is fairly difficult. The only one that does anything for me is the planet X ec130 or Ribble gran fondo.
It just rode really poorly for an alu bike .... you felt every bump in the road and it actually felt heavier than it really was. I am not suggesting that carbon is the ultimate solution as there are some excellent alu bikes out there that shouldn't be discounted. I kind of understand what you mean as it felt a little numb when i got it, but since changing the wheels it's got a lot more zipp to it and feels more lively.
I can afford to and could easily buy a carbon frame, but finding one that I like is fairly difficult. The only one that does anything for me is the planet X ec130 or Ribble gran fondo.
upsidedownmark said:
Both set up perfectly fine, and by the same person.
Light years may be an overstatement, but to be specific: The lever action is considerably lighter, and the x800 series brakes are definitely more powerful than the -700 series ones. Mostly I suspect down to different pull ratios between the older/newer generation. Having ridden 5800 and 6800 brakes, they're identical to use. Different materials in the caliper, but the function is the same.
Agree, single pivot vs dual pivot, there's a noticeable difference from x700 to x800, light minutes not years though. ride both 5800 and 6800, equally capable.Light years may be an overstatement, but to be specific: The lever action is considerably lighter, and the x800 series brakes are definitely more powerful than the -700 series ones. Mostly I suspect down to different pull ratios between the older/newer generation. Having ridden 5800 and 6800 brakes, they're identical to use. Different materials in the caliper, but the function is the same.
As for ultegra only being a good piss lighter (from Okgo)...you can have lighter and also urinate...
For what it's worth, my current 'best' (only 
) road bike has 6800 Ultegra. My old bike had 6700 Ultegra. Aside from the extra sprocket, the only real difference I noticed was improved brakes. If I hadn't been atop the thing when it got hit by a van, I'd never have considered the move from Aluminium/6700 to Carbon/6800 in the first place.
In fact, I've just bought a new cassette and chain for it, which is a sort of 'downgrade' to 5800 105 for those components. I've not fitted them yet, but I'm certainly not expecting to notice the difference, as the real 'feel' of the groupset is in the shifters and derailleurs anyway.
) road bike has 6800 Ultegra. My old bike had 6700 Ultegra. Aside from the extra sprocket, the only real difference I noticed was improved brakes. If I hadn't been atop the thing when it got hit by a van, I'd never have considered the move from Aluminium/6700 to Carbon/6800 in the first place.In fact, I've just bought a new cassette and chain for it, which is a sort of 'downgrade' to 5800 105 for those components. I've not fitted them yet, but I'm certainly not expecting to notice the difference, as the real 'feel' of the groupset is in the shifters and derailleurs anyway.
I have 105 5700 10 speed on my CX and 'old' road bike. My fancy-dan new road bike has Ultegra 6800 11 speed on it and the difference in shift quality is incredible. It takes such little effort to change down a gear and the action on the front derailleur is much cleaner. I am lead to believe though that the difference between 5800 and 6800 is not as stark.
Edited by Steve vRS on Monday 4th July 22:53
I have Ultegra 6800, because that's what my bike came with. I am led to believe by those with experience of both that there is very little, if any, functional difference between that and 105 5800. The main difference being that the Ultegra cassettes last a little longer and the finish looks nicer on all the 6800 bits. If I were upgrading I'd save the £150 and buy 105. Then get a 6800 cassette when the 105 one wears out.
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