CenturionIM

Checking out a bike that comes in either complete rival or ultegra set up. The reason I am still thinking is that the rival setup is ~ 600$ cheaper.

What are your pref/opinion/experience with these 2 groups?

Information I have gathered:

Shifters: Shimano = big hands friendly, Sram = small hands friendly
Shifting wise, Sram = crisp, shimano = smooth
Ultegra crank/BB seems to be more durable and problem free.
comparable sram groups seems to be lighter
comparable Shimano is more durable but also more expensive.
and of course the double tap vs dual lever.

Edit: another difference between the 2 builds is that
the ultegra version comes with Ksyrium equippe wheels and some Ritchey WCS components.
the rival version comes with Aksium and ritchey pro components

Brandonub

I've got Ultegras and fairly small hands for a man, and just put in a shim to adjust the brake lever distance. They feel good to me from both positions, but of course your mileage may vary.

ultraman6970

Complete Rival vs Ultegra gruppo, what is your preference???? <-- CAMPAGNOLO.

benajah

Money not an object I prefer Ultegra...but for a 600 dollar savings I take Rival easy.

lechat

^ Agree. I'd opt for Sram regardless based on weight and looks. I have no problems with DoubleTap or Shimano shifting, a few minutes into the ride it's forgotten.
There is a question of Rival right shifter longevity, but that wouldn't bother me personally. Especially if it's under warranty.

bike4fun12

the doubletap system, which I like, is pretty cool. I have used strictly shimano before and only took a ride to get used to srams doubletap. what wheels comewith either bike could be a factor. also, if you like both bikes equally and can't decide, the extra 600 cash could go towards some pretty nice wheels and tires.

grolby

I like the Rival hoods a lot better, but Ultegra overall has a feeling of solid quality that Rival struggles to match. The crank blows Rival away. However. The current generation of Ultegra has a cable friction issue that often leads to the need to replace shift cables much more regularly, as the shifter action gets very stiff and rough. I would give Rival the edge for now. But a year from now when 11-speed Ultegra is out? Maybe not.

hamster

I'm not sure how the bike with Ultegra could cost $600 more than the same bike with Rival. You can buy the complete Ultegra gruppo piece by piece (shifters, RD, FD, 2 brakes, cassette, crankset) for $867 + tax/shipping on Nashbar. Rival is not the cheapest gruppo either, and bike manufacturers get good discounts on all these components.
There has to be something else different between the two bikes.

Now if you make it Rival vs Ultegra Di2, then I could see a $600 price difference.

poundslly

yeah,me too. Agree. I'd opt for Sram regardless based on weight and looks. no problems with DoubleTap or Shimano shifting.

marqueemoon

Pretty much agree on all the bullet points. My hands like Shimano hoods better, but I like the "snap" of Sram shifting.

For $600 less I'll take the Rival. Can always throw a craigslisted Shimano crank on and replace the brakes if they suck later.

Adrianinkc

Rival. I agree about the cable issue with ultegra and also it is very finicky to adjust with internal routed bikes.

sced

Jeeeezzzz.......You're overthinking. How could Ultegra possibly be worth an extra $600?

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...heat_rival.htm
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...mp_slti_xi.htm

CenturionIM

haha, yes.

Gjc985

check the wheels.....

sced

There is uncertainty

Hiro11

Every single piece of Ultegra gear I've ever purchased (going back to 1987 Shimano 600) has been absolutely bulletproof and impeccably engineered. If you set anything Ultegra up correctly, you never have to think about it again. Nothing is going the break, nothing is going to inexplicably stop performing. Shimano is sometimes conservative in their approach (loose bearing cone bearings in hubs, delta-style cleats on SPD-SL, external English bottom brackets, alloy cranks even on Dura-Ace), but they do so because sometimes these traditional, tested and refined-over-decades designs are best. I've never used anything from SRAM and I'm sure it's great stuff, but my long history with Ultegra has made me a true believer. Even the WH-6700 wheels are awesome.

Having said that, no way does Ultegra alone account for a $600 price increase.

qcpmsame 

I have had Rival for 11 months now, coming from 105, I had the opportunity to buy either Rival or Ultegra when I got my bike last Junuary. There was not $600.00 difference on models with Ultegra vs. models with Rival at my LBS. Ultegra is a very good group, well engineered and stone reliable. I feel the same, probably more so about the Rival after I have had it for a while and some miles have been ridden on it. If the other aspects of the bikes are pretty much the same, especially the wheelset, I would go with Rival. JMHO, only.

Bill

IthaDan 

Ride them both, see which you prefer.

IMO this is like asking for saddle advice, it's a very personal decision, and only you know what you prefer.

youcoming

I say Ultegra, I've been through two SRAM right shifters, both replaced but total of nine months waiting. Good reason to have two bikes.

George

I had Rival for 3 years and I'm glad to be back to Ultegra.

jkuper

I hated front shifting on Rival on Cervelo vs Ultegra on my beater bike. Having said that, upgrading to the new Red with Yaw FD made things much nicer.

CenturionIM

I know I prefer Shimano. Buttt, I have a hard time parting with $600. If rival is a worthy alternative I might just go with it.

CenturionIM

haha. Hi sced