Danny01

Being that both are 10 speed, I'm wondering how they compare. I haven't tried any of the last gen Shimano stuff other than Claris. I have owned bikes with current generation Tiagra, 105 and Ultegra and am thinking about buying a used bike with 6700 on it. I have the 4700 stuff laying around doing nothing and thought maybe I could sell the 6700 and install 4700 if its better. I could probably sell the 6700 components for more than I can sell the 4700 stuff for. Even a comparison between last gen 105 or Ultegra vs current would be helpful as I'm familiar with the subtle quality and feel differences among the latest versions of the 3 tiers.

Bikeracer123

Never used either of them, but would probably say the 6700 is better.

Maelochs

I have some minor experience with 4600 and 4700 and really like it. Never tried 6700 but I seem to recall hearing complaints about the shifting.

Bike Gremlin

4700 should have better shifting - and the 4700 derailleurs are Shimano road 11 speed compatible, and not compatible with 6 to 10 speed road shifters (besides the 4700).

rpenmanparker 

Right. I heard that before, but didn't want to just pass along hearsay. So you can just buy some 105 11 speed levers, cassette and chain to have an 11-speed setup if you ever want it. Also the levers should have corrected the tendency of 6700 to break cables inside them periodically, a real PITA. So in this case the lower group may actually be better.

Danny01

So I can use the 4700 10 speed derailleur with an 11 speed cassette and shifters and make use of all 11 cogs?

Bike Gremlin

Not according to Shimano, but it has the same amount of movement per 1 mm of cable pull (1.4 mm), so it would shift fine.

rpenmanparker 

Only with 11 speed levers like 5800, 6800, or 9000.

And chain. Don't forget the 11-speed chain.

rayzafc

You can only use tiagra 4700 shifter with tiagra 4700 RD. it will not work with 4600 RD even its in same speed.
Don't take thing so complicated dude.

lsberrios1 

So if I were to buy an 11 speed shifter set and an 11speed cassette I can run 11spd on a new Tiagra groupset? This changes everything! I am getting a set of 105 shifters.

Bike Gremlin

You could also use Tiagra 4700 shifters with other Shimano 11 speed road derailleurs - like 5800 (105), 6800 (Ultegra), etc.


Yes, but, to make it clear, only the Tiagra 4700. Older, 4600, as well as all the other 10, 9, 8... speed derailleurs won't work.

Here, I made a list of cross compatibility for all the components - grouped per component type:
https://bike.bikegremlin.com/categor...compatibility/

beermode

I have 6700 with the exception of the derailleurs (Dura Ace from the same gen), it's like butter. I do all the wrong things, like cross chain and shifting under heavy loads like climbs, it refuses to meet my stupidity.

rpenmanparker 

That what they say. I saw it first on another thread.

Apparently you can also run Tiagra 4700 levers with an 11-speed RD like 5800, 6800, or 9000 to get 10 speeds with a 10-speed cassette and chain if you ever find yourself needing to do that. What you can't do is use 4700 levers with an 11-speed cassette. Wrong spacing even if you only want to have 10 positions.

absoludicrous

I upgraded from 4600 to 4700 and it's been a world of difference. Can't comment on how 4700 stacks up to 6700, but given trickle down and the modernity of 4700, I wouldn't be surprised if it were superior to 6700.

dksix

I have 6700 (except for 6800 brakes) and it works fine but it didn't wow me when mowing up from a mixed brand, mixed series pieced together from used parts bought on eBay (MicroShift, 5600, 5700, 6600 and FSA). The 6700 is waaaay better than my 8 speed Claris that was on my first road bike. It's just opinion but mine is that 4700 would be every bit as good if not better than 6700.

redlude97

Well there is over a pound difference between the two groupsets so that is definitely not better.

Bike Gremlin

I've been pleasantly surprised with Claris STI ergonomy and performance - crisp and effortless shifting every time.
6700 rear shifting is a little bit faster and works a bit better under load (which I seldom do).
Rode 5700 for about 3 seasons and didn't like it's sensitivity to any cable/housing imperfections. Don't know if 6700 is better in those terms. Claris definitely is.

Maelochs

I would go with the most modern set I could buy, simply because Shimano is good about improving weak points and bringing technology and design down from its higher groups with each successive series. I would (and have) go with 6800 if that is an option. If not ... weight vs broken shifter cables I guess. Your call.

Since you would have both on hand, the only sensible path would be to do a real-world comparison.

You are standing in a lab with the experiment all set up and about to begin and asking uninvolved persons what the outcome should be, in their opinions. Sort of the opposite of sense and science.

dksix

I've not used 5700 shifters. When I was piecing my build together I got a deal on a set of MicroShift STI's, used and really liked them. I prefer their shifting mechanism better than Shimano but I like the clean look of the 6700 enough better to want to switch to Shimano. I don't feel I'm experienced enough to accurately evaluate shifting speed, if it changes correctly when I actuate the shifter I'm happy. If MicroShift made shifters with rear exiting cables and shifting mechanism like my 10 speed shifter are I'd be running them instead of Shimano. MicroShift does make a set with rear exiting cables but that are more of the Campy style shifting.

dksix

I didn't know it was that much but I weighed my bike for other reasons recently and it's net weight was down quiet a bit. A pound less than the mixed group I had on is very possible.

Stratocaster

Guess what? Not everybody gives a pooh about 1 lb.

And what the heck does weight have to do with performance?



" It's just opinion but mine is that 4700 would be every bit as good if not better than 6700."

That leads me to something I've thought about - Sometimes I'll see a nice "older" (2012, let's say) bike for sale.
I'll think about what a great deal it is...and then I think, "How would that older Ultegra or Dura Ace compare to a new bike with 105, or Tiagra, or whatever?" ...just wondering about groupsets, not carbon this & that stuff.

dksix

A bit of a tangent, 5800 vs 6700

After I bought my really nice used Ultegra group on eBay back in December I did a poll here to see what people would prefer; 105 5800 or Ultegra 6700 and the results were that 82% of respondents would choose 5800 for basically about the same costs. I spent close to $400 on the Ultegra which was about the cost of 5800 at the time. I don't regret the 6700 and the 11 speed would have been an 11 tooth cog (11-32) where my 10 speed is a 12-32. I can't spin out the 50x12 and running the 34 to the 11 is more cross chaining than I like to do, so I'm not out anything really. I might have liked the black of the 5800 better than the gray of the 6700 and I do like whatever is lighter but the only time I'd know is when the bike is hanging on the scale.

Thread with poll...
https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...ra-6700-a.html

rpenmanparker 

Most people wouldn't run the 34X12 cross on 10-speed either. The way to get the 12 is to have the 11...so to speak.

redlude97

Uh everything? Moreso than minor shifting differences, hood shape, lever arms etc. Weight is the only thing that would actually make an actual difference in real performance of the bike. I'll take a 6700 group with polymer cables any day over a 4700 setup.

rpenmanparker 

The cable breaking inside the 6700 levers is real. That alone would make me choose the 4700. By now 6700 is ancient. I'm on the side of 4700 being every bit as good.