Ultegra Vs Dura-Ace
#51
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#52
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<cough>Record<cough>
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Isn't Campy rebuildable? With all of the discussion about tough to find Shimano components, I'd imagine having some components capable of being rebuilt would be an advantage... especially since OP isn't too concerned over cost. (This from a guy who rides a seven-speed.)
#56
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Isn't Campy rebuildable? With all of the discussion about tough to find Shimano components, I'd imagine having some components capable of being rebuilt would be an advantage... especially since OP isn't too concerned over cost. (This from a guy who rides a seven-speed.)
Campy is an option .....just not a cheap one....and supply issues from Italy as far as motorcycles are concerned are legendary. They make beautiful stuff but they also take lots of vacations.
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I just re-did my Litespeed Classic - mines a little newer ('02 or '03) but not by much . I Used 10 speed Record carbon. You werent kidding about very good condition Dura Ace 7700 and Record being expensive still --- but in my case it wasnt about saving money so much as using a groupset i already had. But it still had to look good. When i realized i wouldnt need a long cage rear derailleur to run the 12-26 cassette, i looked for a VGC short or mid cage rear derailleur and prices were still high .
For me i deviated from Campagnolo on the crankset because i wanted to use compact gearing, so had a near NOS condition FSA crankset in 50/34 to use along with the 12-26 . The darn thing will climb ! even if i cant
Good luck with your project and whichever way you go with the build !

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I just re-did my Litespeed Classic - mines a little newer ('02 or '03) but not by much . I Used 10 speed Record carbon. You werent kidding about very good condition Dura Ace 7700 and Record being expensive still --- but in my case it wasnt about saving money so much as using a groupset i already had. But it still had to look good. When i realized i wouldnt need a long cage rear derailleur to run the 12-26 cassette, i looked for a VGC short or mid cage rear derailleur and prices were still high .
For me i deviated from Campagnolo on the crankset because i wanted to use compact gearing, so had a near NOS condition FSA crankset in 50/34 to use along with the 12-26 . The darn thing will climb ! even if i cant
Good luck with your project and whichever way you go with the build !

For me i deviated from Campagnolo on the crankset because i wanted to use compact gearing, so had a near NOS condition FSA crankset in 50/34 to use along with the 12-26 . The darn thing will climb ! even if i cant
Good luck with your project and whichever way you go with the build !

https://velobase.com/ViewComponent.a...40d57&Enum=115
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That's hot! 5 arm cranks are so much better looking than the modern 4 arm bulky looking ones.(At least to me) That crank is somewhat reminiscent of the awesome Stronglight star cranks from way BITD.
https://velobase.com/ViewComponent.a...40d57&Enum=115
https://velobase.com/ViewComponent.a...40d57&Enum=115
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I am in the middle of a bike build (2000 Litespeed Classic) and after Christmas will be picking a component group. I have a Trek SLR 6 with mechanical Ultegra. Really nice bike. My old Trek 2.3 has lots of old Dura Ace gear on it (7700 acquired through ebay mostly). I am seriously considering buying a Dura Ace 9100 mechanical set for this build.
Will the new Dura Ace components work with a frame of this vintage ? It seems like it will but if anyone knows why it wouldn't I would love to hear it.. I already have a fork, bottom bracket and headset. Steerer tube shim and spacers. Ordering a stem next week.
I guess I am wondering if the Dura Ace is worth it. I have no illusions about my need for pro level gear. I am old and slow AF. I just want this bike to be light and have the best gear I can afford on it.
This rules out any DI2 stuff.
It looks like the biggest difference between Ultegra and DA is the weight savings. If there is any real world advantage other than that I would be interested to know.
I don't need to spend 2x as much for the DA stuff but honestly I can and have wanted to have a bike with full DA for along time. This is my shot. If you want to try and talk me out of it. Go for it. If you want to validate my decision that is cool too !!
Will the new Dura Ace components work with a frame of this vintage ? It seems like it will but if anyone knows why it wouldn't I would love to hear it.. I already have a fork, bottom bracket and headset. Steerer tube shim and spacers. Ordering a stem next week.
I guess I am wondering if the Dura Ace is worth it. I have no illusions about my need for pro level gear. I am old and slow AF. I just want this bike to be light and have the best gear I can afford on it.
This rules out any DI2 stuff.
It looks like the biggest difference between Ultegra and DA is the weight savings. If there is any real world advantage other than that I would be interested to know.
I don't need to spend 2x as much for the DA stuff but honestly I can and have wanted to have a bike with full DA for along time. This is my shot. If you want to try and talk me out of it. Go for it. If you want to validate my decision that is cool too !!
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#61
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Well , I solved the dilemma by ordering a Dura Ace9100 rim brake/mechanical group set last night. Should be at my door by Monday or Tuesday. My wife told me to quit messing around and "just order it for god sake" LoL.
Same crank arm length and compact chainring as the group set on my SLR 6 Ultegra model. 11/30 in the back as opposed to 11/34 (I think) on my Trek. Next up will be wheels and tires. The brakes are good up to 28's but there is no way that old Litespeed will handle tires that big so I imagine 25's is all I can get on there. Too bad because I like the larger tires on my SLR.
Already have a stem coming and will need a handlebar, seat and seat post too but getting there.. Hopefully will be doing some shake down rides around mid February. Usually can start getting some real rides in mid-march so that works out perfectly.
All told I'm hoping this build comes in at a touch more than half the price of the SLR 6 I just bought.
You guys are terrible at talking me out of things
Same crank arm length and compact chainring as the group set on my SLR 6 Ultegra model. 11/30 in the back as opposed to 11/34 (I think) on my Trek. Next up will be wheels and tires. The brakes are good up to 28's but there is no way that old Litespeed will handle tires that big so I imagine 25's is all I can get on there. Too bad because I like the larger tires on my SLR.
Already have a stem coming and will need a handlebar, seat and seat post too but getting there.. Hopefully will be doing some shake down rides around mid February. Usually can start getting some real rides in mid-march so that works out perfectly.
All told I'm hoping this build comes in at a touch more than half the price of the SLR 6 I just bought.
You guys are terrible at talking me out of things

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#62
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Well , I solved the dilemma by ordering a Dura Ace9100 rim brake/mechanical group set last night. Should be at my door by Monday or Tuesday. My wife told me to quit messing around and "just order it for god sake" LoL.
Same crank arm length and compact chainring as the group set on my SLR 6 Ultegra model. 11/30 in the back as opposed to 11/34 (I think) on my Trek. Next up will be wheels and tires. The brakes are good up to 28's but there is no way that old Litespeed will handle tires that big so I imagine 25's is all I can get on there. Too bad because I like the larger tires on my SLR.
Already have a stem coming and will need a handlebar, seat and seat post too but getting there.. Hopefully will be doing some shake down rides around mid February. Usually can start getting some real rides in mid-march so that works out perfectly.
All told I'm hoping this build comes in at a touch more than half the price of the SLR 6 I just bought.
You guys are terrible at talking me out of things
Same crank arm length and compact chainring as the group set on my SLR 6 Ultegra model. 11/30 in the back as opposed to 11/34 (I think) on my Trek. Next up will be wheels and tires. The brakes are good up to 28's but there is no way that old Litespeed will handle tires that big so I imagine 25's is all I can get on there. Too bad because I like the larger tires on my SLR.
Already have a stem coming and will need a handlebar, seat and seat post too but getting there.. Hopefully will be doing some shake down rides around mid February. Usually can start getting some real rides in mid-march so that works out perfectly.
All told I'm hoping this build comes in at a touch more than half the price of the SLR 6 I just bought.
You guys are terrible at talking me out of things

But do you feel validated? That was option 2.
Enjoy.
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#64
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#65
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Well , I solved the dilemma by ordering a Dura Ace9100 rim brake/mechanical group set last night. Should be at my door by Monday or Tuesday. My wife told me to quit messing around and "just order it for god sake" LoL.
You guys are terrible at talking me out of things
You guys are terrible at talking me out of things

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Well , I solved the dilemma by ordering a Dura Ace9100 rim brake/mechanical group set last night. Should be at my door by Monday or Tuesday. My wife told me to quit messing around and "just order it for god sake" LoL.
Same crank arm length and compact chainring as the group set on my SLR 6 Ultegra model. 11/30 in the back as opposed to 11/34 (I think) on my Trek. Next up will be wheels and tires. The brakes are good up to 28's but there is no way that old Litespeed will handle tires that big so I imagine 25's is all I can get on there. Too bad because I like the larger tires on my SLR.
Already have a stem coming and will need a handlebar, seat and seat post too but getting there.. Hopefully will be doing some shake down rides around mid February. Usually can start getting some real rides in mid-march so that works out perfectly.
All told I'm hoping this build comes in at a touch more than half the price of the SLR 6 I just bought.
You guys are terrible at talking me out of things
Same crank arm length and compact chainring as the group set on my SLR 6 Ultegra model. 11/30 in the back as opposed to 11/34 (I think) on my Trek. Next up will be wheels and tires. The brakes are good up to 28's but there is no way that old Litespeed will handle tires that big so I imagine 25's is all I can get on there. Too bad because I like the larger tires on my SLR.
Already have a stem coming and will need a handlebar, seat and seat post too but getting there.. Hopefully will be doing some shake down rides around mid February. Usually can start getting some real rides in mid-march so that works out perfectly.
All told I'm hoping this build comes in at a touch more than half the price of the SLR 6 I just bought.
You guys are terrible at talking me out of things


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#68
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Without reading all of the posts- I did read yours- I just put a down payment on a new bike and went with the Ultegra group set. It's a lot of money for only a small amount of weight, and I couldn't justify the extra expense. From the reading I've read and discussions I've had, the functionality is almost identical except for the small amount of weight vs a large increase in cost.
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Without reading all of the posts- I did read yours- I just put a down payment on a new bike and went with the Ultegra group set. It's a lot of money for only a small amount of weight, and I couldn't justify the extra expense. From the reading I've read and discussions I've had, the functionality is almost identical except for the small amount of weight vs a large increase in cost.
Also it will be the last mechanical DA group so thats kinda neat too !