Shimano 6600 or 6700 ?

[bobswire]

A friend wants to build up a bike and asked my opinion in regards to which of the two function better, Ultegra 6600 or 6700,aesthetics aside?
Since I'm a Campy guy I can't really answer that question.

[Pete Serotta]

I have used both and independent of looks they both still work fine for me. It is personal preference if they are working for me. They neither have very high miles on them

Pete

[dave thompson]

A friend wants to build up a bike and asked my opinion in regards to which of the two function better, Ultegra 6600 or 6700,aesthetics aside?
Since I'm a Campy guy I can't really answer that question.
I replaced DA 7800 shifters with 6700 shifters on one of my bikes and I like the 6700 better.

That aside, there is more than aesthetics to consider. The 6700 shape, ergonomics and dimensions (reach is increased) have to be considered because they are quite different that 6600. For a comparison, see my '6700 report' here: http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=63990&highlight=6700+report

[billythekid]

I've ridden both and imo 6600 has much better feel to the shifts. Don't know if it is the alloy, the cable routing or what, but on 6600 I just felt more connected.

[Bob Loblaw]

From a rider and mechanic standpoint, I like the 6600 better.

I run Campy Record 10 on one bike and a mix of Ultegra 6600 and Dura Ace 7800 on the other. Both shift extremely well (I like to think I do good work), and I have no plans to change anything...but the Campy rig, with its under-the-bar shifter cable routing, was much harder to get dialed in. And it doesn't like rain, cold or humidity, all of which are abundant in here in CT. The 6600/7800 bike doesn't seem to care about the conditions...its shifting is relentlessly perfect.

So this is me saying the emperor is naked. Shimano took a step backwards with 7900/6700, so stick with 7800/6600 for as long as you can.

That's just my $.02.

BL

[dbh]

plus you can dump three cassettes with 6600, as opposed to only two with the newer stuff. Aesthetics and ergonomics asides, I think Shimano perfected shifting with 6600/7800.

[dd74]

I've heard much of the same. Stick with 7800/6700. If someone wants newer Shimano, go electronic. Electronic 6700 should come out soon; might be worth a look.

[Rainier1]

The only improvement from 6600 to 6700 was the crankset and the rediculously crisp front shifting that results. Otherwise 6600/7800 was smooth and great.

I've had the downshift paddles stick on 6700 numerous times, they tried to copy sram's rolling paddle design but made it too complicated

[alancw3]

looks aside i just did i build with 6700 (only about 200 miles ridden so far) and i have to say that i preferred the 6600 that was on my prior bike. shifting seemed more percise with 6600 and less trouble to dail in. that being said the 6700 grouppo installed easily. from a purely looks standpoint the integrated shft cable routing on the 6700 is cleaner looking but i do not like the matte finish as well as the polished 6600.

[oldpotatoe]

A friend wants to build up a bike and asked my opinion in regards to which of the two function better, Ultegra 6600 or 6700,aesthetics aside?
Since I'm a Campy guy I can't really answer that question.

Set up correctly, they both work really well. 6600(along with 7800) tends to eat shift cables. I have fished more than a few cable heads out after the cable broke. Fewer lower gears selected on 6700 than 6600. Much better(and more expensive) big ring on 6700, best FD shifting in the iz with the only one better is 7900. Brakes are a wash, FD better action on 6700. Hidden housing.

I'd say go with 6700. 6600 is out of production from shimano and if you warranty a 6600 lever, you will probably get a 6700.

[bobswire]

Thanks for the opinions, after showing this thread to my friend and the conflicting opinions he has decided to go with Micro-shift .

Gotcha, I can tell him is he can't go wrong with either one. :D

[AngryScientist]

i've heard multiple reports that 6700 can be a little trickier to set-up. i too am a campy guy so i wouldnt know, but from what i understand if you have a frame with internal cable routing and some funky tight required cable angles, it can be a little tougher to get it to shift right on. just a thought.

[dave thompson]

For all you guys that don't like your 6700 shifters, I'll either buy them from you or trade a set of excellent low-mileage 7800 shifters. Interesting? E-mail me davetspokane1@comcast.net