bmfsiii

Send an email to Shimano or call them ask them what their opinion is. The other option would be to call other bike shops and ask also. In my opinon though, go with Ultegra, to upgrade to it in the future will cost you more than $150.

patentcad

But of course. What a silly question.

Next silly question please.

Gee3

Ride both bikes and shift the brifters... then choose the one that feels best to you.

The end.

blanqui

yes

theshoemaker

Another "yes" from me.

unbelievably

$150 is not that much in "roadbike speak".
I'd say go for it. Performance wise...I think it is VERY subjective to whom you ask.

The Campy/Shimano debate is more conclusive, IMO.
Which is better Ultegra or 105?
Of course Ultegra is better. It's more expensive!

I chose 105 over Ultegra for it's smoky finish...

rogster

Which one is the 06 or 05 ? I think the black/red looks hot. If it is the 05-Ultegra, go for it

pl8ster

I ended up buying an Ultegra-equipped bike because I knew if I went with 105 - which I've heard is a great group, mind you - I'd have the 'upgrade' thought in the back of my head. And if you think you might be bitten by the upgrade bug down the road, it's a lot more expensive than $150 to upgrade your drivetrain from 105 to Ultegra.

caloso

Centaur!


[ducks and runs out of the room]

norskagent

I've got dura ace on my '89 paramount...still works flawlessly. So holdout for some dura ace.

thelazywon

I say if you ever have any kind of buyer's regret...
get the Ultegra, I believe the buyer's remorse will be less that way. You see, you can spend 150 bucks on a nice night out on the town, but the Ultegra will be with you much, much longer. Does that even make sense?

wrobertdavis

Look very, very carefully at the rear derailleur on both bikes. I have heard that Shimano takes last year's ultegra and moves it to this year's 105. Unless you are hung up on image, you might be paying for no functional difference.

Example: I bought a late 2006 Specialized Roubaix and would not look at the 2007 model because Specialized "downgraded" from Ultegra to 105 on the newer model year. One month later I bought my wife a 2007 Specialzed Ruby that came with 105 group. One day I looked at her derailleur and mine. Except for the label, they are IDENTICAL down to every detail and finish. Her derailleur works really well.

I think the shimano 105 derailleurs in the last 2-3 years have been quite good. My son races cyclocross and his 105 makes it through the season just fine. When I think what derailleurs were like a few years ago, All shimano components are really good.

If you can appreciate the difference between a $2000 bike and a $5000 bike, then you might be picky about subtle differences in derailleurs. Otherwise, you'll be fine with either.

Bob

cycle life

+1

Strong Bad

yes

shawnj73

The question is on you. If you think that it is worth the money; than bye it. If you don't really to pay the extra money and you think the performance benefits and weight savings is worth the extra money, then don't buy it. It is simple!!!! (Have you test road both of the bikes?)

powerglide

My bud picked up an 06 full carbon Kestrel $1500 out the door with ultegra...fyi, from Performance of all places (so he got another $150 performance points to boot)

jinx4

for what its worth...105 has only recently (2007) made the jump to 10 speed. Which means it has had a far more recent "redesign" than 10 spd Ultegra. Generally the most recently updated group will share more with the upper end. The new 105 10spd is a VERY nicely finished group and IMO is easily on function par with current Ultegra 10 and well above Ult 9. Shimano always juggles back and forth with its "top" 3 lines. For 08 the Ultegra group gets some loving. The new SL Ultegra will then step back over the 105. And for those who think there is some exotic internal difference...go to your LBS and have them pull out the exploded diagrams and cross reference the part numbers.

Most of the differences are in materials (carbon or ti over alu), finish (ooh shiney), and hardware (again ti bolts over stainless).

As for weight...go with the 105 take the extra cash and buy a Dura ace cog stack. That should come close to leveling the field.

just some thoughts

Frunkin

dura-ace cassettes are expensive and wear quicker than an ultegra casette
get the ultegra

roccobike

I did, the 105 was great, so was the rear dr on the Ultegra. The fron dr on the ultegra bike was not set up correctly and had some chain rub, still shifted OK though. To be honest, on the demo rides I could not detect a difference. I'm not sure that statement would hold up over a 50 mile ride.

roccobike

ME? Upgrade? Just cause I upgraded the brifters on my current, old C'dale from RSX 7 speed to Ultegra 8 speed, and just cause I upgraded the shifters, brakes and drs on my hardtail MTB to XT, LX from Deore/Alivio and the dualey MTB from Manitou Splice to Fox Float doesn't mean I have the upgrade bug (LOL).
Great point pl8ster, if there was a "upgraders anonymous" club I'd be a charter member.
I'm beginning to think the Ultegra is probably the way to go, especially since no-one seems to think that I should be concerned about buying a leftover 05.

dcvelo

I've got a bike with 9 speed 105 components (circa 2004) and a bike with 10 speed Dura-Ace. I ride both regularly. The Dura-Ace is better. On the other hand the 105 is just fine, even with the Dura-Ace to compare to....just another data point.

Then again, $150 ain't that much....

operator

Yeah, instead of having 105 on your compnents, it now says ultegra. GG 2 u.

Adgooroo

OP - you'll never get that Ultegra Gruppo for less - if you ever get the irresistible urge to upgrade the 105, it will cost you several hundred at retail to get the Ultegra gear.

shabbasuraj

spoon.. fork... taste great ...less filling.... coke.. pepsi... apple... pc...

ultegra... maybe more blingy...? perhaps not./..

rdk

Ultegra, what's $150.

Unless you prefer the colour of the 105 bike.