Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

Shimano Hydraulic disc brakes..

Is it worth going from the 105 level to Ultegra? The shifters for the 105 seem to be getting fairly poor reviews compared to the Ultegra ones.

Looking at a Ribble CGR and it's a £200 increase to do so. I can just about afford the upgrade (sell a kidney and share the Dog's kibble) but would rather spend the cash on other bits if I can.

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

Add new comment

8 comments

Avatar
Boombang | 7 years ago
1 like

Easy servicing, adjustment and functionality at a price point?

Avatar
kevvjj | 7 years ago
0 likes

The 105 hydraulic levers are ugly - there ain't no way of getting away from that! If you can put up with their looks then performance wise they are identical to Ultegra (if not a little heavier). But their looks are a deal breaker for me.

Avatar
therevokid replied to kevvjj | 7 years ago
0 likes

kevvjj wrote:

The 105 hydraulic levers are ugly

 

Kinda makes you wonder what happened in the Shimano design office !!!!

 

That aside - Upgrade  1

Avatar
JimD666 replied to kevvjj | 7 years ago
2 likes

kevvjj wrote:

The 105 hydraulic levers are ugly - there ain't no way of getting away from that! If you can put up with their looks then performance wise they are identical to Ultegra (if not a little heavier). But their looks are a deal breaker for me.

 

Have you seen the Ribble CGR?! Ugly shifters are going to be barely noticable.

 

That bike is yellow.

 

Or perhaps I should say YELLOW!

Avatar
StraelGuy | 7 years ago
0 likes

I'd argue shifter ergonomics are pretty important. I upgraded my winter bike to 5800 105 recently (non-disc). One of the reasons was that the 105 shifters are so comfortable, the 9 speed Sora shifters were really uncomfortable after about 40 minutes. The last thing you want is anything discouraging you from riding your bike.

Avatar
JimD666 replied to StraelGuy | 7 years ago
0 likes

guyrwood wrote:

I'd argue shifter ergonomics are pretty important. I upgraded my winter bike to 5800 105 recently (non-disc). One of the reasons was that the 105 shifters are so comfortable, the 9 speed Sora shifters were really uncomfortable after about 40 minutes. The last thing you want is anything discouraging you from riding your bike.

 

It was badly worded on my part to say ergonomics arn't that important.

 

Yes ergonomics are important but, like beauty, it's in the eye of the beholder. Compfy for one is sheer hell for others.

Avatar
JimD666 | 7 years ago
0 likes

Honestly I'm less concerend witht the ergonomics and more with whther they do the job well.

 

The reviews I've seen suggest they are less crisp on the shifting/braking than expected. Thing is I've never riden with shifters like these (last drop bar bike was 30+ years ago) so really don't know whether it's something I'd even notice.

 

The only reason I'm concerend is that if it's one thing that gets me anoyed is gears not shifting well. My (cheap as hell) MTB from Halfords has a mind of its own in that regard. But it's done it's job in getting me back in to riding  1

Avatar
hoffbrandm | 7 years ago
1 like

YES! i upgraded. never looked back. its all about the ergonomics with this years shifters.

Latest Comments