Dura Ace or Ultegra

[Seramount]

Originally Posted by bob heinatz

Seramount does the Dura Ace function different from Ultrgra or does it simply look nicer and built to a higher standard?

braking is similar, but the shifting feels slightly 'crisper'...but, no way to measure that.

lighter, nicer finish...insurance paid for it, what's not to like?

[NHAero]

FWIW - I have 9100 shifters on my Firefly, RS685 shifters on the Anderson and Litespeed, and 105 on the Bob Jackson. I really doubt if blindfolded I could tell the shifting quality of the 9100 from the RS685. The 105 is less crisp, but it's 10s and I think those all together don't shift as well as the 11s.

I'm running a Dura Ace 9100 RD and it shifts an Ultegra 11-34 just fine. The FD is the R8000 Ultegra 'cuz I had it around. BTW, I had a Record 11 RD on there first, came with the bike, and the Record 11 stuff IMO shifted worse than the Shimano. I didn't have much of a dog in the Shimano/Campy fight, 'cuz I only switched to integrated shifters a couple of years ago, and I wanted to love the Campy.

I'd go Dura Ace on a custom Kirk, it "deserves" the best! That's why I put DA shifters, RD, and brakes on the Firefly. The Dura Ace brakes (I chose 9000, I liked the looks and they're a bit lighter) are the best caliper brakes I've ever ridden, and I'd just taken the Record 11 brakes off the bike.

[robt57]

Originally Posted by Seramount

shifting feels slightly 'crisper'...but, no way to measure that.

I 'think', or it seems like the more plastic is in the shifter/brake lever/bat, the more it mutes the crisp tactile feel the shifting reports upon the mechanism ratcheting.

They all feel buttery anymore Shimano wise I think, where as I used to say I like the 10s D/A better due to feeling more buttery. The downshifts anyway.

[soulspinner]

Originally Posted by NHAero

FWIW - I have 9100 shifters on my Firefly, RS685 shifters on the Anderson and Litespeed, and 105 on the Bob Jackson. I really doubt if blindfolded I could tell the shifting quality of the 9100 from the RS685. The 105 is less crisp, but it's 10s and I think those all together don't shift as well as the 11s.

I'm running a Dura Ace 9100 RD and it shifts an Ultegra 11-34 just fine. The FD is the R8000 Ultegra 'cuz I had it around. BTW, I had a Record 11 RD on there first, came with the bike, and the Record 11 stuff IMO shifted worse than the Shimano. I didn't have much of a dog in the Shimano/Camoy fight, 'cuz I only switched to integrated shifters a couple of years ago, and I wanted to love the Campy.

I'd go Dura Ace on a custom Kirk, it "deserves" the best! That's why I put DA shifters, RD, and brakes on the Firefly. The Dura Ace brakes (I chose 9000, I liked the looks and they're a bit lighter) are the best caliper brakes I've ever ridden, and I'd just taken the Record 11 brakes off the bike.

Listen to this person...…...

[Elefantino]

Originally Posted by Chris

Honest question: I’m thinking about building a new house. We have the choice of wood or metal studs. I don’t have any engineering experience. I’d like to get some opinions on wood vs metal.

Paceline Answer: Are you sure you should be buying a house right now? Renting seems like a more economical decision at this point. Or maybe get an RV instead and travel.

Chris FTW!

[eddief]

if you've not tried it, you and your last bike deserve it. Go all DA, then add Ultegra Di2 rear derailleur and go climbing with a big cassette. Cables are for retro grouches .

[merlinmurph]

Originally Posted by MattTuck

I own a Kirk with Ultegra mechanical on it. My only complaint is the cable started to disintegrate under the hood and little metal wires started to push through and poke my hand.

You do realize that this is the Early Warning System telling you that you need to replace your cable, don't you?

[MattTuck]

Originally Posted by merlinmurph

You do realize that this is the Early Warning System telling you that you need to replace your cable, don't you?

Shimano might like me to believe that. I wish their early warning system was less pokey.

[54ny77]

Buy what you think is the best , regardless of "value" or cost. It deserves what you think it should have. Don't have buyers remorse, that gets expensive!

My vote, get the top of the line group for what is a top of the line bike. Period.

[buddybikes]

Ask Kirk - it is his baby!

[bob heinatz]

I know that Dave has used Dura Ace and I think he has now also tried Etap.

[Morgul Bismark]

Just put full 9100 on my new Kirk

That said, if you really want to run a 34T cassette, I would probably do mostly 9100 with a long cage R8000 rear derailleur.

[zmalwo]

I'm very impressed with this generation's 105, apart from the weight there is no functional difference between DA, Ultegra or 105. a full Ultegra group is only $100 more than a 105 group anyways so I guess just go for the bling. From Ultegra to DA it's a bit more expensive but if 9100 kept 9000 series' distinctive silver/ black color scheme then it's worth it but since it's not I would say Ultegra is more than enough. Di2 is not a bad option either you can buy a full 8050 set with the money for DA9100. I used to hate electrical shifting until I started using it...

[robt57]

Originally Posted by zmalwo

apart from the weight there is no functional difference between DA, Ultegra or 105.

But what of duration of function? As in expectation of length of use [miles?] prior to having to replace, etc?

[zmalwo]

Originally Posted by robt57

But what of duration of function? As in expectation of length of use [miles?] prior to having to replace, etc?

From what I read it's 50/50 on which last longer. Some say lower end groupos like 105 last longer because more steel parts are used, yet the others say DA would last longer due to higher engineering tolerance. I personally root for 105 lasting longer than Ultegra and DA because I believe more material used and more steel than alloy is more resistant to wearing... Not to mention everything is cheaper to replace on 105 from RD pulleys to shifter hoods.