New Ultegra is here

[gasman]

I don't really look at my bike or the components while riding. For me the key is do they work well ? If so, great !!! That's my main concern. I understand that some are into the aesthetics but I don't really care as long as I'm not stranded on the side of the road.

I'm looking everywhere else while riding-the road, the wheel in front of me, traffic, etc. but not at my components.

[tv_vt]

I'm still on 9 speed in terms of shifting, so this doesn't affect me one way or another. DA7950 for cranks and brakes.

But is it just me or is this stuff looking like a bike version of swoopy Japanese car styling these days, like Mazda or Toyota?

Would be nice if Audi or BMW-influenced bike parts were around, with nice clean, elegant lines. Maybe the older alloy Campy came close to that. No surprise there, actually.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by gasman

I don't really look at my bike or the components while riding. For me the key is do they work well ? If so, great !!! That's my main concern. I understand that some are into the aesthetics but I don't really care as long as I'm not stranded on the side of the road.

I'm looking everywhere else while riding-the road, the wheel in front of me, traffic, etc. but not at my components.

POTD...imho. Object of the ride is the ride....

[zzy]

And yet this is a website dedicated to looking at/discussing bikes. It's sad that the big 3 OEMs are all making stuff with the same boring finish. Props to Campy for the silver 11sp Athena group.

[sailorboy]

Suggestion: just get the shifters and keep everything else from 6800. For the mechanical group anyhow, that's all that was really changed significantly imho.

I did it with dura ace and the new shifters are pretty nice. I prefer the black-silver mix in the last gen.

[shovelhd]

Shimano really messed with their numbering system. The "xx70" used to mean Di2. 9000 was mechanical, 9070 was Di2. 6800 was mechanical, 6870 was Di2. Now it's all messed up. 9170 is both mechanical and Di2. For individual components like the STI's, 9170 is the hydraulic, 9150 is the rim brake. With Ultegra Di2 coming, I bet they keep the same system. I'm going to need a database to sort it all out.

[yashcha]

Looking forward to the new front mech design at a lower cost. This stuff looks bad by itself, but once mounted on a nice large tubing frame and fork, like a dogma or caad12, it will look great. Love ultegra components.

[beeatnik]

I like the new Shimanos (9100 at this point) but I'm weird since Im also into architects other than the guy who designed Versailles and Thomas Jefferson. You know Gehry, Piano and Koolhaas.

[Seramount]

Originally Posted by gasman

I don't really look at my bike or the components while riding. For me the key is do they work well ? If so, great !!! That's my main concern. I understand that some are into the aesthetics but I don't really care as long as I'm not stranded on the side of the road.

I'm looking everywhere else while riding-the road, the wheel in front of me, traffic, etc. but not at my components.

I couldn't enjoy owning a bike that didn't meet my aesthetic and performance standards.

that's just a deal-killer...

it's form AND function.

[Llewellyn]

Originally Posted by tv_vt

I'm still on 9 speed in terms of shifting, so this doesn't affect me one way or another. DA7950 for cranks and brakes.

But is it just me or is this stuff looking like a bike version of swoopy Japanese car styling these days, like Mazda or Toyota?

Would be nice if Audi or BMW-influenced bike parts were around, with nice clean, elegant lines. Maybe the older alloy Campy came close to that. No surprise there, actually.

You know, I was thinking the same thing. That the stuff had the sort of styling that you see on Toyota's, Honda's etc with swoops and angles all over the place. Not good looking at all (just in my opinion of course). But then the Italians s**t all over the Japanese when it comes to styling and design.

I still don't think Shimano styling has been surpassed since 9 speed Ultegra and Dura Ace. And I'm still running 9 speed for the most part.

[Llewellyn]

Originally Posted by gasman

I don't really look at my bike or the components while riding. For me the key is do they work well ? If so, great !!! That's my main concern. I understand that some are into the aesthetics but I don't really care as long as I'm not stranded on the side of the road.

I'm looking everywhere else while riding-the road, the wheel in front of me, traffic, etc. but not at my components.

All very true but for me - I've paid good money to buy a frame that is close to a work of art, why would I hang crappy looking components on it.

[shovelhd]

beeatnik, your tires are crap. You are a rolling road hazard.

[beeatnik]

I know. I've got a new pair waiting (shredded the front one today on a piece of tile). Will swap out both before the World Famous Montrose Ride!

[shovelhd]

Originally Posted by beeatnik

I know. I've got a new pair waiting (shredded the front one today on a piece of tile). Will swap out both before the World Famous Montrose Ride!

You can't risk blowing a tire with a doper on your wheel!!!

[zank]

Originally Posted by shovelhd

Shimano really messed with their numbering system. The "xx70" used to mean Di2. 9000 was mechanical, 9070 was Di2. 6800 was mechanical, 6870 was Di2. Now it's all messed up. 9170 is both mechanical and Di2. For individual components like the STI's, 9170 is the hydraulic, 9150 is the rim brake. With Ultegra Di2 coming, I bet they keep the same system. I'm going to need a database to sort it all out.

R9100 - mechanical shifting, rim caliper
R9120 levers - mechanical shifting, hydro
R9150 - di2, rim
R9170 levers, calipers, wheels - di2, hydro, disc wheels

They went to YXX50 with XTR di2.