Shimano 105 vs. ultegra

I'd see if they have an Ultegra version for you to ride before you drop that kind of cash. You might not be able to tell the difference. If you can, it would be a lot less expensive to buy an Ultegra bike than it would be to swap out components. On top of the cost of the parts, the shop will prolly charge you labor to do the swap.

triathlete41 said:

I test rode the Litespeed Bella today and absolutely fell in love! The bike is outfitted with Shimano 105, but all my biking buddies (they've been riding a lot longer than I have) recommend all Ultegra. Should I contact the bike shop about swapping out the components? How much should I expect to pay?

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

Ultegra will make you go faster and impress your buds while making you look like a more seasoned rider. Seriously, nothing wrong with 105 group, I've put many miles on that level componentry. Now if you can get an upgrade cheap, you might want to consider it, but you won't notice it save for the bling factor. I just build another bike and used all 105 because it is a solid group and also because the all black finish looks great (very inexpensive to boot). People get all caught up with what the other guy has and also being obsessed with a few grams here. As Sydney Boudreaux says "Stuff breaks, light stuff breaks sooner". Sumpin like dat.......

I love 105. Best bang for the buck in road components IMO.

I was in exactly the same position. Regarding swapping, the LBS said they would have to get 2 bikes in and swap the stuff over. It was going to be expensive. I finished up going Ultegra in a higher model as I liked the feel and action of the Ultegra shift better. I guess as a bonus the latest Ultegra is compatible with the Dura-ace so I can swap in higher performance components as they wear if I feel the need. Nothing wrong with the 105 though, just how I decided.

triathlete41 said:

I test rode the Litespeed Bella today and absolutely fell in love! The bike is outfitted with Shimano 105, but all my biking buddies (they've been riding a lot longer than I have) recommend all Ultegra. Should I contact the bike shop about swapping out the components? How much should I expect to pay?

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

Only if your are going to 10 speed ultegra,and then it's alot more money.

capwater said:

Ultegra will make you go faster and impress your buds while making you look like a more seasoned rider. Seriously, nothing wrong with 105 group, I've put many miles on that level componentry. Now if you can get an upgrade cheap, you might want to consider it, but you won't notice it save for the bling factor. I just build another bike and used all 105 because it is a solid group and also because the all black finish looks great (very inexpensive to boot). People get all caught up with what the other guy has and also being obsessed with a few grams here. As Sydney Boudreaux says "Stuff breaks, light stuff breaks sooner". Sumpin like dat.......

Ultegra will make you go faster??????? I'd like to hear that explanation!

I have 105 on my bike. I've ridden many of my friends bikes equipped with ultegra and quite honestly I don't see adifference. I talked to the Shimano rep at the Toronto bike show last month about the difference between the 2 groups. He told me the difference was about 70 grams and 10 gears on the 2005 version. As for performance difference, none. Keep your components tuned properly and they will work identical.

P.S. 105 has been known to last longer.

The only thing i have noticed between my Ultegra and Dads 105 set is that the shift levers feel a bit flimsier (is that a word) on the 105. Other than that i couldn't tell.

Alpha said:

Ultegra will make you go faster??????? I'd like to hear that explanation!

Lol, Ole Cap is being sarcastic there. That is why he started the next sentence off, "Seriously". 😉

capwater said:

As Sydney Boudreaux says "Stuff breaks, light stuff breaks sooner".

Can I quote that Boudreaux? I like that.

triathlete41 said:

I test rode the Litespeed Bella today and absolutely fell in love! The bike is outfitted with Shimano 105, but all my biking buddies (they've been riding a lot longer than I have) recommend all Ultegra. Should I contact the bike shop about swapping out the components? How much should I expect to pay?

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

Well, that is a good question and everyone has a different opinion. Personally, I just upgraded to the new Ultegra 10 and I love it. Now I went from an intro bike with a SORA 8 group so you can imagine how different that was. In addition to the 10 speed upgrade I changed over from a triple to a double - compact - Truvativ Carbon Crank with LOOK KEO pedals. All I can say is WOW what a difference in weight and performance. Yes, I did spend some extra cash, but I was really glad with my decision. Good luck, research your decision and then ask yourself -- "what do I really want." Want is the keyword, next to performance and weight in my book.

triathlete41 said:

I test rode the Litespeed Bella today and absolutely fell in love! The bike is outfitted with Shimano 105, but all my biking buddies (they've been riding a lot longer than I have) recommend all Ultegra. Should I contact the bike shop about swapping out the components? How much should I expect to pay?

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

I've got a fourteen year old bike with 7 speed 105 with about 40000 k's on it and it still has precise shifts and good brakes. 😉

triathlete41 said:

I test rode the Litespeed Bella today and absolutely fell in love! The bike is outfitted with Shimano 105, but all my biking buddies (they've been riding a lot longer than I have) recommend all Ultegra. Should I contact the bike shop about swapping out the components? How much should I expect to pay?

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

I wouldn't upgrade from 105 9 spd to Ultegra 9 spd. Having ridden those back to back, there's not an enourmous difference IMO. If you're talking 105 9 spd to Ultegra 10 spd, then there's a more significant difference (especially in the front gear change), but that's a fair bit of cash.

All depends on the cost.

triathlete41 said:

I test rode the Litespeed Bella today and absolutely fell in love! The bike is outfitted with Shimano 105, but all my biking buddies (they've been riding a lot longer than I have) recommend all Ultegra. Should I contact the bike shop about swapping out the components? How much should I expect to pay?

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

What ever happened to " if it ain´t broke don´t fix it " ?

like the Budda said " everything , but in moderation "

best thing about advice ? you don´t have to take it .

triathlete41 said:

I test rode the Litespeed Bella today and absolutely fell in love! The bike is outfitted with Shimano 105, but all my biking buddies (they've been riding a lot longer than I have) recommend all Ultegra. Should I contact the bike shop about swapping out the components? How much should I expect to pay?

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

I have 8k on 9spd 105 that I bought last year. It has worked very well for me, I rode 9 spd Ultegra at the time of purchase and thought it was a little nicer but not worth much additional money.

I have tigra and can beat my friend's dad on his ultegra. But then again his brother has a bike with drop tube shifters and can kick my butt on any hill. Get what you like, what you can afford and love it, the group often doesn't make as much of a difference as the rider.

triathlete41 said:

I test rode the Litespeed Bella today and absolutely fell in love! The bike is outfitted with Shimano 105, but all my biking buddies (they've been riding a lot longer than I have) recommend all Ultegra. Should I contact the bike shop about swapping out the components? How much should I expect to pay?

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

I upgraded from 105 to ultegra front crankset and derailluer because I needed a new crankset and found a very good deal on the Ultegra. I cannot notice any difference at all in feel or preformance. None. Zero. Zilch. If you gotta pay extra for it, I would think it over very carefully.

cydewaze said:

I'd see if they have an Ultegra version for you to ride before you drop that kind of cash. You might not be able to tell the difference. If you can, it would be a lot less expensive to buy an Ultegra bike than it would be to swap out components. On top of the cost of the parts, the shop will prolly charge you labor to do the swap.

105 and Ultegra and fairly similar. So stay with the 105 if you don't race. The main difference is finish and durability. The chain rings on 105 are not the same has Ultegra for example. The Ultegra will last a bit longer and function better after being subjected to the elements.

Now the main thing to know is not the dfference between 105 & Ultegra, but DA and the other two. DA used Ball Bearings in the shift lefters versus bushings. Ultegra 9 speed has about a 3 year life span on levers under racing useage. Expect to replace them in 3 years. Also use Power Lube or WD40, and compressed air to blow out the crud that gets in the levers. The levers are not serviceable. They are throw away unlike Campy.

Stick with what is on the bike. The money spent to change would get you close to the next step up that will already have ultegra on it. The only thing that I would consider changing would be from a double to triple if you are in climbing country. You most likely wont be able to tell the difference between the two. If you really want ultegra then find a bike with ultegra on it.

triathlete41 said:

I test rode the Litespeed Bella today and absolutely fell in love! The bike is outfitted with Shimano 105, but all my biking buddies (they've been riding a lot longer than I have) recommend all Ultegra. Should I contact the bike shop about swapping out the components? How much should I expect to pay?

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

I have had both. Ultegra is a little lighter and there's slightly less plastic. The 105 levers I have rattle quite a bit. I have about 1,400 miles on my Ultegra and the only think I've ever replaced has been the chain/cassette combo and the cables once. I have campy record on another bike and it's in a whole different league though... It makes the Ultegra feel like a K-Mart bike...