Ultegra 9-speed or 105 ten-speed on a new bike?

In article <[email hidden]>,

BP said:

Hi Guys,

I have been shopping around for cyclocross type bikes. It is between
the Jamis Nova($1,375), or the Specialized Tricross($1,599).

They are both nice bikes, the Jamis has 105's front and rear, and a 105
10 speed cassete. While the Tricross has 105s in the front and ultegra
in the rear, but is using a 9 speed cassete.

I guess my real question which is better to have ultegra but have it a
9-speed, or 105s and have it with the new 10-speed cassete.

I have been looking at specs and it seems all the newer upper level
roadbikes are 10-speeds now. For 1,600 I would of thought the Tricross
would of had a ten-speed.

Jamis sells the 105 ten speed, as being "new". While Specialized sells
the older 9-speed as "lighter".

I know some people dont find it worth it to upgrade to 10-speeds, but
what if your buying a new bike, is it worth it to have a ten speed, but
have the newer cassete.

You also have to understand im comming from tiagra components, so I
dont know how 105s or ultegra rides, in comparision.

I went from 9s Ultegra to 10s Ultegra, and the 10s is better. The
crank/BB design with the external bearings is better and the right
shifter now has a trim setting for the big ring.

However, to me, the extra gear on the 10s is meaningless because you
have the same high and low gear and jump between gears is close enough
to not make a difference. 9s replacement parts are cheaper and the
cassettes should last longer because the cogs are thicker (maybe the
chainrings too).

105 is lesser quality than Ultegra and is probably heavier (is the 105
cassette mounted on a carrier? The 9s's weren't.) Also, 9s shares
compatibility with the mountain bike groups, if you ever want lower
gearing. 9s also would be less susceptible to mud and cable problems, if
you are really going to do cyclocross with the bike.

--
Mike DeMicco <[email hidden]>

If you like them equally, the price difference will buy you quite a few
cassettes and chains.

BP said:

Hi Guys,

I have been shopping around for cyclocross type bikes. It is between
the Jamis Nova($1,375), or the Specialized Tricross($1,599).

They are both nice bikes, the Jamis has 105's front and rear, and a 105
10 speed cassete. While the Tricross has 105s in the front and ultegra
in the rear, but is using a 9 speed cassete.

I guess my real question which is better to have ultegra but have it a
9-speed, or 105s and have it with the new 10-speed cassete.

I have been looking at specs and it seems all the newer upper level
roadbikes are 10-speeds now. For 1,600 I would of thought the Tricross
would of had a ten-speed.

Jamis sells the 105 ten speed, as being "new". While Specialized sells
the older 9-speed as "lighter".

I know some people dont find it worth it to upgrade to 10-speeds, but
what if your buying a new bike, is it worth it to have a ten speed, but
have the newer cassete.

You also have to understand im comming from tiagra components, so I
dont know how 105s or ultegra rides, in comparision.

I thought about this from a couple different angles, and boy oh boy, I can
overthink a simple drivetrain decision, and I don't think there's any criteria
by which anyone could pick one or the other for you. Either would work perfectly
well for any likely 'cross purposes; racing, commuting, bombing around and
scaring the mountain bikers, whatever.

My aesthetic preference would be for a level top tube, more in keeping with the
tradition even though shouldering the bike shouldn't really be significantly
more difficult and some people will never need to anyway. I think that's what it
comes down to for you, would you get more joy and gratification from one setup
or the other. Both will work just fine.

Ron

BP said:

Hi Guys,

Quoted message said:

I have been shopping around for cyclocross type bikes. It is between
the Jamis Nova($1,375), or the Specialized Tricross($1,599).

Quoted message said:

I guess my real question which is better to have ultegra but have it a
9-speed, or 105s and have it with the new 10-speed cassete.

Anything over 8 speeds is overkill. On my Ultegra-9 bike, (now in
bike heaven), i tended to shift 2 gears at a time because its just
such a bother to have too many gears ! ! !

You have been warned ! ! !

- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA

Donald Gillies said:

Anything over 8 speeds is overkill. On my Ultegra-9 bike, (now in
bike heaven), i tended to shift 2 gears at a time because its just
such a bother to have too many gears ! ! !

You have been warned ! ! !

Curmudgeon!

Sorni said:

Donald Gillies said:

Anything over 8 speeds is overkill. On my Ultegra-9 bike, (now in
bike heaven), i tended to shift 2 gears at a time because its just
such a bother to have too many gears ! ! !

You have been warned ! ! !

Curmudgeon!

<mode="1776">
Technophile!
</mode>
--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
Some gardening required to reply via email.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

BP said:

Hi Guys,

I have been shopping around for cyclocross type bikes. It is between
the Jamis Nova($1,375), or the Specialized Tricross($1,599).

They are both nice bikes, the Jamis has 105's front and rear, and a 105
10 speed cassete. While the Tricross has 105s in the front and ultegra
in the rear, but is using a 9 speed cassete.

I guess my real question which is better to have ultegra but have it a
9-speed, or 105s and have it with the new 10-speed cassete.

I have been looking at specs and it seems all the newer upper level
roadbikes are 10-speeds now. For 1,600 I would of thought the Tricross
would of had a ten-speed.

Jamis sells the 105 ten speed, as being "new". While Specialized sells
the older 9-speed as "lighter".

I know some people dont find it worth it to upgrade to 10-speeds, but
what if your buying a new bike, is it worth it to have a ten speed, but
have the newer cassete.

You also have to understand im comming from tiagra components, so I
dont know how 105s or ultegra rides, in comparision.

Are you planning to race the bike, or commute, or what? I ask because
if you're not planning to race it, I'd say get whatever bike you like
better.

If you're going to race it, go w/ 9 speed, or even 8 speed if you can
find the parts. You'll have less problem w/ muddy drivetrains with 9
speed than w/ 10 speed. The spacing's too tight on the 10 speed
setups.

Of course, if you've got a back-up bike and someone to clean 'em in the
pits every other lap, then it won't matter much one way or the other.

BP said:

Hi Guys,

I have been shopping around for cyclocross type bikes. It is between
the Jamis Nova($1,375), or the Specialized Tricross($1,599).

They are both nice bikes, the Jamis has 105's front and rear, and a 105
10 speed cassete. While the Tricross has 105s in the front and ultegra
in the rear, but is using a 9 speed cassete.

I guess my real question which is better to have ultegra but have it a
9-speed, or 105s and have it with the new 10-speed cassete.

I have been looking at specs and it seems all the newer upper level
roadbikes are 10-speeds now. For 1,600 I would of thought the Tricross
would of had a ten-speed.

Jamis sells the 105 ten speed, as being "new". While Specialized sells
the older 9-speed as "lighter".

I know some people dont find it worth it to upgrade to 10-speeds, but
what if your buying a new bike, is it worth it to have a ten speed, but
have the newer cassete.

You also have to understand im comming from tiagra components, so I
dont know how 105s or ultegra rides, in comparision.

The only thing that bugs me about 105 are the black components,
particularly the crank, which will become scratched and worn looking.
Silver finished parts don't show scratches, and can even be buffed out.
Supposedly you can get silver finished 105, but I never see it on new
bikes anymore.

Other than that I see no "quality" difference between Ultegra and 105,
even though Ultegra is higher on Shimano's totem pole. Ultegra may be a
teeny bit lighter, but so what.

Matt O.

This bike is going to be my commuter, road rider, forest/firelane,
occasional offroad, do it all bike. For more aggressive offroading I
have a older Cannondale F-400 hardtail I will still probably use. I'm
not overly concerned about a few grams of weight here and there. If I
was really concerned about weight I think the Specialized is the
lighter of the two bikes frame-wise.

I was more interested to know do you pick up a big perfomance upgrade
with A)ultegra or B)10-speed 105s. I'm also not overly interested in
needing to be compatible with mountain gearing. I know some cyclocross
bikes have mountain gearing like the Bianchi Axis for instance, but
this will be mostly a road machine. I just want the other advantages of
a cross bike; durabilty, abilty to use a variety of sizes of tires,
clearence for fenders, mounts for fenders racks etc. I got a taste of
this style with a Volpe.

I like my bikes to look nice, but I wouldnt choose one over another
because the componets are black vs silver, I think they both have some
apeal. Im more interested in which one is durable and will shift
cleanly everytime. Functionality wins out at the end of the day. All
this feedback is really helpful, Thanks.

BP said:

Hi Guys,

I have been shopping around for cyclocross type bikes. It is between
the Jamis Nova($1,375), or the Specialized Tricross($1,599).

They are both nice bikes, the Jamis has 105's front and rear, and a 105
10 speed cassete. While the Tricross has 105s in the front and ultegra
in the rear, but is using a 9 speed cassete.

I guess my real question which is better to have ultegra but have it a
9-speed, or 105s and have it with the new 10-speed cassete.

I have been looking at specs and it seems all the newer upper level
roadbikes are 10-speeds now. For 1,600 I would of thought the Tricross
would of had a ten-speed.

Jamis sells the 105 ten speed, as being "new". While Specialized sells
the older 9-speed as "lighter".

I know some people dont find it worth it to upgrade to 10-speeds, but
what if your buying a new bike, is it worth it to have a ten speed, but
have the newer cassete.

NOT saying 10s is necessary but as shimano goes, it is going to 10s and
something like a 9s lever is going to be tough to find. PLUS the 9s
stuff from shimano, DA thru 105, was known for early failures, and if
in 2 years the right 9s lever failed, I doubt shimano would have a 9s
replacement.

Quoted message said:

You also have to understand im comming from tiagra components, so I
dont know how 105s or ultegra rides, in comparision.

Mike DeMicco said:

105 is lesser quality than Ultegra and is probably heavier (is the 105
cassette mounted on a carrier? The 9s's weren't.)

The last cog needs to be spidered to the second-to-last because its
centerline is actually inboard of the last bit of splines on the cassette
body, but AFAIK the last two cogs are the only ones spidered together on
105 10s.

Jasper

Qui si parla Campagnolo said:

NOT saying 10s is necessary but as shimano goes, it is going to 10s and
something like a 9s lever is going to be tough to find. PLUS the 9s
stuff from shimano, DA thru 105, was known for early failures, and if
in 2 years the right 9s lever failed, I doubt shimano would have a 9s
replacement.

Oh please. They still sell 8s STI levers. They may be Sora, but they're
presumably at least mildly functional.

Jasper

BP said:

This bike is going to be my commuter, road rider, forest/firelane,
occasional offroad, do it all bike.

Tnen get the 10-speed -- a wide range cogset for dirt roads will be
more pleasant with the extra gear.

JT

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Jasper Janssen said:

Qui si parla Campagnolo said:

NOT saying 10s is necessary but as shimano goes, it is going to 10s and
something like a 9s lever is going to be tough to find. PLUS the 9s
stuff from shimano, DA thru 105, was known for early failures, and if
in 2 years the right 9s lever failed, I doubt shimano would have a 9s
replacement.

Oh please. They still sell 8s STI levers. They may be Sora, but they're
presumably at least mildly functional.

Jasper

\NOT the point. You have an ultegra 9s lever, warranty and shimano
sends you a Tiagra or Sora...would that make you happy? Or maybe a 10s
ultegra, different shape and now ya gotta buy a 10s cogset and chain.

In 6 months, try to find a NEW, 2006 ultegra or 105 9s bicycle.....get
back to me.

Qui si parla Campagnolo said:

\NOT the point. You have an ultegra 9s lever, warranty and shimano
sends you a Tiagra or Sora...would that make you happy? Or maybe a 10s
ultegra, different shape and now ya gotta buy a 10s cogset and chain.

In 6 months, try to find a NEW, 2006 ultegra or 105 9s bicycle.....get
back to me.

Peter has a good point. To me the value in a brand new bike is in the
warranty, especially with expensive and iffy parts like STI shifters.

Matt O.

Marketing created some "snazzy" names for almost identical
components...so now they have the God given right to confuse all
would-be bikers into believing that somehow Sora components can get a
novice to China, but CANNOT get the professional biker a quarter mile
down a paved road?!

I'd buy a Sora bike in a heart beat if I could get Tiagra shifters on
her. Functionality first...everything else second. Granted I've never
seen a Sora derailure fail let alone a 105. I'd live a happy life with
only having access to new Tiagra compenents to be honest. Stuff is as
reliable as gravity.

Randolf

Quoted message said:

Marketing created some "snazzy" names for almost identical
components...so now they have the God given right to confuse all
would-be bikers into believing that somehow Sora components can get a
novice to China, but CANNOT get the professional biker a quarter mile
down a paved road?!

B-b-but, I _started_ in China 🙂