Mixed 5800 / 6800 Group - Choices?

[Look585]

If one was building a group from the 5800/6800 menu, where would you spend the extra $$$ for Ultegra and where would you opt for the value of 5800?

Cassette & Chain is easy (5800). What else? I don't need a BB/crank, but feel free to comment for posterity.

[josephr]

RD and shifters....but even those are overkill unless you just like spending money.

[bluesea]

My uninformed strictly-for-aesthetics choice, would be Dura Ace brakes and crankset.

[beeatnik]

In cost-savings mode, I went with 105 shifters, cranks, and 6800 FD/RD. The Cielo takes long reach brakes so not sure which brakeset I'd choose otherwise. 5800 brakes are brick tho at close to 450g.

The consensus over at Weight Weenies is that 105 RDs and shifters wear out after a few hard seasons.


https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3914/15398241752_3361e81740_b.jpg

I love the cranks.

[Gummee]

Personally? Shifters and rear der. = 6800. Everything else = 5800

I've done that with a 9k + Ultegra mix

M

[oldpotatoe]

In cost-savings mode, I went with 105 shifters, cranks, and 6800 FD/RD. The Cielo takes long reach brakes so not sure which brakeset I'd choose otherwise. 5800 brakes are brick tho at close to 450g.

The consensus over at Weight Weenies is that 105 RDs and shifters wear out after a few hard seasons.


https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3914/15398241752_3361e81740_b.jpg

I love the cranks.

And they would know that how? That this lower end stuff wears out in a couple of seasons? 5800 isn't even one season old and all 11s stuff is completely different than 10s.

I'd say except for covert and chain, aesthetics will determine choice.

[mktng]

I've been looking at doing this as well. 6800 RD and Shifters. 5800 FD chains and Cassettes.

[Look585]

With today's Ribble sale, it didn't make sense to get cute anywhere. 6800 tip to tail, with options tailored to me, for <$600???

When I need a new chain or cassette I can swap in a 5800.

Thanks for the opinions folks!

[mktng]

With today's Ribble sale, it didn't make sense to get cute anywhere. 6800 tip to tail, with options tailored to me, for <$600???

When I need a new chain or cassette I can swap in a 5800.

Thanks for the opinions folks!

Yea. Quite funny how the crazy sale came up. Totally backed out of the whole mix matching. 5800 all the way

[stephenmarklay]

I am trying to decide on Athena or 6800. HMMM

[oldpotatoe]

I am trying to decide on Athena or 6800. HMMM

Too bad 6800 pricing is what it is. Not 'too bad' but.... 'Normal' retail puts it closer to Chorus. I think comparitively Chorus and 6800 are very 'similar', and then DA and Record. Athena and 5800. BUT...not gonna say it tho.

Get 2014 Chorus levers and the rest Athena.

[shovelhd]

I use 5800 chains with 9070. No good reason not to.

[beeatnik]

I am trying to decide on Athena or 6800. HMMM

Get 5800. Don't waste your money on the other 2.

First off, they all work great.

But, the key to enjoying a good deal is feeling that your money was well spent. Opportunity costs and all that. There's nothing comparable to 5800 for the money. It's cheap stuff not masquerading as high end. If it's nicely finished, well, that's a bonus. On the other hand, 6800 and Athena (positioned as mid-level components) look cheap and feel cheap. And even if you spend under $600 on each, you're still getting a low(er) quality component. Sure, 6800 and Athena are relative bargains compared to Chorus (Dura Ace) but so is a Movado compared to the lowest priced Rolex. Movado might last as long and even impress a hick in Vegas but it's still a Movado.