avidcyclist83

Which one is better? I am looking at two bikes and pretty close other than the group set. I have been riding 105 and had no problems so I m leaning towards the ultegra. Any thoughts?

MegaTom

Neither one is better than the other. They both have their own unique ergonomics and way to shift gears..... you need to ride both to appreciate the difference.

avidcyclist83

we just got a foot of snow so i can't really ride either and the rival is on closeout so I have to act fast if I want that one

LowCel 

Exactly. Personally I am a SRAM fan but that is just because I like the way the hoods feel better. They are both great component groups, the only thing that really matters is which one feels best to you.

LowCel 

If it's a good price I would go for it, it will take a few rides but once you get used to the SRAM shifting you will most likely be happy with it.

avidcyclist83

Quality/longevity wise are they equal?

wrr1020

Have you used SRAM before? I would definitely try it out first, doubletap is a love/hate thing. I have Shimano and SRAM bikes and i prefer SRAM. Hoods feel better to me and i love doubletap shifting.

avidcyclist83

I don't think I will mind the shift quality it's more of a quality question

avidcyclist83

quality as in longevity

MegaTom

Point still remains: neither one is better than the other... their differences lie in ergonomics and in how you change gears. SRAM has smaller hoods than Shimano, and it uses its Double Tap shifting with a single lever while Shimano has two shifting levers. You need to ride both to appreciate their differences. A full Rival group weighs less than Ultegra, if that bears any importance.

avidcyclist83

better was not the right word https://www.eriksbikeshop.com/2011-CA...3C7993/Product shimano or https://www.eriksbikeshop.com/2010-Tarmac-Comp-Rival-Double-Road-Race-Bike/PR3C6070/Product

avidcyclist83

also I weight 205 is a carbon frame a bad choice, sorry I know it's off topic

LowCel 

Unless you are going for a really light bike it shouldn't be an issue. When I purchased my carbon Kestrel I was around 250 - 260 pounds and I had no issues. I did e-mail Kestrel prior to purchasing it to make sure that I would be safe and if there were any issues that a warranty claim would not be declined due to my weight.

MegaTom

There are much bigger differences between those two bikes than Shimano vs. SRAM. Mainly frame material and construction. Their geometries are also different. Both of which are enormous contributors to how the bike will feel under your ass. Sorry to sound like a broken record, but: You really need to ride both to appreciate the difference.

Or just pick the one that looks better or weighs less. You decide whether weight or look is important to you.

No, carbon frame will be fine.

avidcyclist83

The frames are the other issue unless you saw something else...

keisatsu

this thread got confusing really fast... are we talking about groups, frames, complete bikes???

avidcyclist83

I know your right about the riding but I am in MN and we still have month of winter and the Tarmac will be gone by then

avidcyclist83

yeah sorry about that Keistau

roadiejorge 

They both will shift fine though Shimano tends to do so a bit cleaner than Rival but I prefer the ergonomics and shifting SRAM provides.

MegaTom

He just needs someone to hold his hand through this immensely important decision. Happens to all of us on occasion.... I know cuz I'm grappling the same decision myself right now.

But the bottom line is this: Both of those are great machines and will get you to where you need to go as fast as you're able to pedal it. Neither one is a bad choice. Honestly.... I promise. You just need to figure out which one you like better. Most people base this on which bike just feels best. If neither one jumps out in that regard or you are otherwise unable to test ride them, then just pick the one that looks best, weighs less, or will leave your wallet heavier. But you need to decide which of those criteria is more important to you.

mechBgon

Well, I was going to touch on the merits of the Ultegra crankset until I checked the links. The Ultegra bike is missing some Ultegra!

Copperhed51

I rode an Ultegra equipped bike a couple of weeks ago on a 6 hour ride. My regular bikes are either Force or Rival equipped. I was incredibly disappointed with the Ultegra bike for what it's worth. My brain had no problem switching to shimano shifting but the levers were small and annoying to press. If I tried to hit the little lever and accidentally got a tiny bit of the big lever too, I'd get no shift at all and would have to re-shift. I'm not sure if the shifter was faulty or if that's just how it is. Anyway, I am obviously a SRAM fan but I would like another experience with Shimano to see if it gets better.

ILUVUK

I'd buy the Tarmac...if only so that I wouldn't have to own another crappy FSA crank.

javal

I have only good experience of Ultegra.

awesomejack

So why upgrade? buy a nice steak dinner, some other bike related thing you need, and save the rest for something in your future