jadmt

all things being considered is ultegra worth $300 more than 105 (both mechanical). this on a carbon fiber or titanium frame that will be ridden ~4000-5000 miles a year mostly 50-100 mile rides.

squirtdad

I can tell the difference between 105 5800 and ultegra 8000....slight but it it there both full mechanical with rim brakes

base2 

The difference is mostly weight and other factors not related to functionality. All Shimano shifters work well enough. What I mean is much of the difference is how many carbon components or extra effort into fit & finish.

For myself, I like that carbon doesn't seem to transmit cold so much in colder weather. I also think that bearings are better than bushings. IMO $300 is worth the ~half a pound off the bike, smoother longer lasting longevity, and cold weather comfort. You might have different reasons.

I've felt some pretty sloppy high mileage shifters. Ultegra/Dura-Ace tend to live long enough the ratchet pawls fail long before they get so sloppy they get preemptively changed due to poor rider experience like on 105 & below.

YMMV. Mine is just one opinion among many. You'll never be sad you bought the better model.

TiHabanero

The price difference isn't worth it anymore since it has gone electronic. In the old mechanical systems the difference in shift performance was noticeable, particularly for an experienced rider, but the electronic systems the shifting is very precise and quick for the both of them. As for bells and whistles I am sure there are enough people out there that are happy to pay up for software options Ultegra has that 105 has not.

Steve B.

About 2 generations ago, 105 got so good it was as good as Ultegra at the primary functions of shifting and braking, at least as far as I could tell on a rim brake system. I imagine that is still the case.

jadmt

kind of how I am leaning. my last "good new bike" was 1993 ritchey road logic with dura ace and while I don't need the latest and greatest I probably won't be getting another bike for a long time. I got out of biking for years and then late last summer got back into it and have done about 4000 miles since Jan 1st this year and kind of hooked again.

jadmt

I know I would probably love electronic shifting but really would rather have mechanical for some stupid reason.

tempocyclist

I can't tell the difference in shifting or braking quality between the latest mechanical 105 and Ultegra groupsets. Both are great. The main difference is weight, appearance, and possibly some hood shape differences. Is that worth it? That's personal I guess and depends on what $300 is worth to you.

All that said, for a $300 difference I'd personally still go Ultegra because I am a bike snob... 😂

Maelochs

I have both and I Think I can tell the most minute improvements in shifting and braking with Ultegra over 105 ... but they could be placebo improvements.

If I were building a new bike which was going to be my main ride fro the ext several years I would spring for Ultegra because even if I only imagined it was better, it would be worth it amortized out to three cents per mile of smiles or whatever.

asgelle

Ultegra is better. Without seeing you financials, No one can tell if the improvement is worth the cost to you. So is it worth it? Who knows.
If your question really is will people make fun of you for buying one or the other, the answer is no.

jadmt

not concerned about being made fun of so that doesn’t factor in and both are in my budget on the bikes i am looking at ie lynsky 300 and canyon cf endurance. I just want to hear the opinion of people who have or have had both to see if they feel the difference in price was worth it to them.

Maelochs

If the budget supports it I cannot see nay reason not to go full Ultegra.

icemilkcoffee 

You can definitely tell the difference when the Ultegra or Dura Ace crankset does this:

SpeedyBlueBiker

The differences are very small, and many people would never notice the differences. As they continue to improve the quality of both, today's 105 group set is probably equivalent to Ultegra from 7-8 years ago. There is a weight difference with 105 being a little heavier but it's just a little. For me, if I was building a $5000 bike I'd probably spring for the Ultegra group set. If you are refurbishing an older bike then I would just go with 105 as the differences are so minimal.

Iride01 

Weight is the big difference. If you don't care about weight then don't worry. If you do care about weight, then go with the Ultegra. $300 will be worth it. Save a half a pound in a few places and it adds up quick to a lighter bike that lets you go get up hills with less effort and have more energy at the end of your ride to beat your friends to the line. DuraAce might save you a full pound of weight. But again, a pound doesn't matter if you aren't going to save a few pounds elsewhere with better wheels, bars and other stuff.

squirtdad

not sure what the point is as current 105 is hollow tech also ?

Iride01 

The point is fear mongering. Or someone just doesn't realize that plenty of solid cranks have broken also.

PeteHski

It's a minor weight saving and a more prestigious badge. So it depends on how much you care about being a few seconds quicker up a climb, the better badge and the opportunity cost of $300. All personal decisions. They are functionally the same, so I wouldn't get hung up on that.

icemilkcoffee 

They are all Hollowtech going back to the 7700/6500/5500 9 speed era. The problem is that the current Ultegra and Dura Ace are glued together and have a tendency to come unglued. The 105 is welded together. So were the older 9 and 10 speed Ultegra and Dura Ace cranks. Shimano started using glue (literally and figuratively) with the Dura Ace FC9000 and Ultegra FC8000.

genejockey 

It depends on what you can afford. When I built up my Litespeed last year, I did a lot of thinking. I have R7000 105 on my Canyon and it works great. And I also considerered a mixed groupset, because I'd bought a 7410 Dura Ace crankset to complete a 7410 build on it originally (recreating the BIke Of My Dreams from the mid 90s) but I wanted/needed lower gears than 53/39 x 12-25. In the end I decided to go for a full R8000 Ultegra groupset because 1) I could afford it and 2) I wanted the best for the Litespeed. And it's been great! It shifts just a hair better than the R7000, and I don't have any "Gee, what if I'd gotten the Ultegra?" thoughts. If I hadn't gotten a bonus at work, I'd probably have gone for the 105 and been okay with it, but I did, and I'm happy with it. In fact I have to keep reminding myself to ride bikes OTHER THAN the Litespeed!

Calsun

Shimano is concerned about profits and it is easier to increase profits by selling a component for a higher price. In some rare instances there is actually a performance or reliability difference but I cannot think of any. I see the gain with better pedals and with stronger shift and brake cables and sealed bottombrackets and wheels.

I remember the tire shop insisting that the only legal tires for my Mercedes were ones rated for continuous speeds of 160 mph which was never going to occur in the United States. I paid double for these special tires which was great for the tire shop and for the tire manufacturer and that is what counts.

Ogsarg

Given that you ride a fair amount and are looking to keep this bike for a while, I think you owe it to yourself to take a test ride on a bike with electronic shifting. In a couple of years, you're going to see a lot more of it out there and you may have regrets you didn't at least check it out.

If it's within the budget, I'd go that route for sure.

Breezer1971

I had the same decision to face and in the end I went with a third alternative - Shimano 105 di2. I was already going to spend more to get the bike with Ultegra and after test driving both bikes I chose 105 di2 over the bike with the mechanical Ultegra.
Both bikes were the same price and had the same frame/ rims.
After test driving the bike with the Shimano 105 di2 I was sold. No going back to mechanical for me.

datlas 

I believe Hollowtech refers to the hollow axle and not the crankarns.

Of course, I could be mistaken….

mstateglfr 

Ultegra shifters and derailleurs.
Praxis crank.
TRP R879 brakes or Ultegra brakes.

Mix for the best setup.