Dura Ace or 105?
 

GCN reports:

Ultegra

Sram Force 1x.

I have a few older Dura Ace components, bits and pieces that came with project bikes. They're nice but I wouldn't go out of my way to put Dura Ace on my bikes, not on my budget. The various Ultegra, 105 and older 600 components I have are good enough for me and the rolling terrain I ride. I'm not strong enough and we don't have any serious climbs for a few grams here and there to matter. And I don't think I've ever worn out any bike component, so durability hasn't been a factor for me using mid-grade components.

This

Sora or Tiagra

Agreed.

Concurred

Shimano lineup details

Ultegra is good stuff for the price! 105 is awesome value that works. DA is just too damn much cash IMO

Another vote for Ultegra.

Performance wise, there is zero difference, imo, between my r7020 and r8000 bikes (shifting that is, the hyd discs are def better, which is why I'm building a new road bike lol). But I can feel differences in the shifters (mainly, rough edges on the 105). For the new build, I went with r8020, I could justify $200 more over 105, but couldn't justify another $400 over that for DA. Plus, DA deserves a better frame. lol

Anecdotal observation, but my 5800 takes noticeably less pressure to operate and is just as fast and sure as my 6800 and 7800 systems. All were set up professionally. The 6800 is on a bike with ultra-short chainstays and is very sensitive to chain alignment as a result. The 7800 bike is intermediate and the 5800 is very long.

I have 3 road bikes and a cyclo-cross bike. The road bikes have 15 yr old 10sp Dura Ace, 10 sp SRAM Red, 11 sp 105 and the cross bike has 11 sp 105. The Dura Ace is amazing in that it is still so good. The SRAM is very tactile and shifts like a manual car as opposed to an automatic. The road 105 11 sp is very good and a great bargain. And the cross bike 105 is truly amazing. By far the smoothest and most quiet of the bunch. I like each one for different reasons. Just my experience.

Agree about the brakes. Whatcha building? :)

Fixie or forget it.

Ultegra. DA if you can spend the extra $.

Also keep in mind that the expensive products aren't always the most reliable ones. Performance is not always correlated to reliability.

2019 Tarmac Comp Disc. Got a good deal on the frame, should end up about half the cost of a new Comp, but with better cockpit/wheels. Thought about going electronic, but didn't want to spend the money just yet. Plus it gives me something to upgrade in the future. :lol:

Ultegra, and skip the 2nd donut.
105, and skip the first donut.

I like donuts, but my budget (weight and wallet) won't allow me both Dura-ace *and* three donuts at the same time, so Ultegra it is.

Ultegra.

You guys ever hear why Force AXS came out? One of the SRAM founders toured Europe and was amazed to find Ultegra at the pricepoint that it was at such an immensely high level of quality and performance. They've now tried to get there. Let's hope they keep trying to get closer.

On my two main riders, I use DA and love it. On my rain bike and MUP rider I use 105 shifters with Ultegra crank and rear derailer. Truth be told, there's very little difference between the DA and 105 shifting.


But DA looks cool. :D

Following..

Yeah, Ultegra is pretty much the slightly aspirational sweet spot in bang for buck, while Dura-Ace is just decadence.

If you can afford the DA, heck, go for it. As the GCN report shows, it is hard to really feel the difference between the two group sets and the weight difference is not significant. That said, when the group is older, being pushed in a variety of weather conditions, beat around a bunch, the DA will likely out perform the 105. I guess Ultegra is good sweet spot. I don't know, I ride Campy on my road bikes and SRAM on the gravel and mountain bikes. I much prefer the ergonomics of Campy and the feel of the shifting vs Shimano and the way the Shimano dual control levers work. But it is a personal thing.

Porsche 911 or VW Golf GTI?