Upgrading to Dura Ace

loco-gringo · Jul 25, 2007

The cheapest I would think you'll find DA is about $1200 without wheels and hubs. If you are not getting a shop deal, plan to drop some big jack on cranks.

LordOpie · Jul 25, 2007

2006 105? May I ask is this a hobby/fun move or is there a reason?

105 shouldn't have worn out just yet, yeah? Do you race?

Is it true that Ultegra is more durable than DA? I had heard that back in, what, 2005?

Zutroy · Jul 25, 2007

If your not going to race don't waste money on DA, the levers burn out really quick. Look at the new Ultegra SL, a far bit lighter than the old stuff.

loco-gringo · Jul 25, 2007

luelling said:
More for fun and to lighten up the bike. I'll use the 105 as spare on the cross bike (stuff gets trashed on that bike pretty quick) and yes I race.

I thought the $1200 groupo came with the cranks, thats one of the most expensive pieces

<edit> this one has the cranks
http://www.coloradocyclist.com/common/products/productdisplay2_v2.cfm?PRRFNBR=42770&CGRFNBR=291&CRPCGNBR=291&CI=1,225,291&TextMode=0

It will include the cranks. I was just making reference for the piecing idea.

loco-gringo · Jul 25, 2007

Zutroy said:
If your not going to race don't waste money on DA, the levers burn out really quick. Look at the new Ultegra SL, a far bit lighter than the old stuff.

Isn't a "far bit" about 80 grams or so?

Dura-Ace offers 3 years of warranty, while Ultegra offers 2 years. You decide if it's worth it. I like Ultegra just as well for lever feel as Dura-Ace on the 10 speed stuff.

GravityFreakTJ · Jul 25, 2007

have you considered Sram?

Zutroy · Jul 25, 2007

bogey said:
Isn't a "far bit" about 80 grams or so?

Dura-Ace offers 3 years of warranty, while Ultegra offers 2 years. You decide if it's worth it. I like Ultegra just as well for lever feel as Dura-Ace on the 10 speed stuff.

I think 98 is the exact amount for the group. So about .2 pounds. I think about half is coming from the levers.

OGRipper · Jul 25, 2007

GravityFreakTJ said:
have you considered Sram?

Funny, I was gonna suggest Campy but I figured I'd get called out for not being responsive...

LordOpie · Jul 25, 2007

How many of y'all have more than one road-type bike -and- use different component manufacturers?

Between me and my wife, we have three road bikes and I went with Shimano, in part, cuz I liked being able to swap stuff out as needed.

Zutroy · Jul 25, 2007

I've got different parts on stuff at the moment. CX and TT bike have Shimano, Road has SRAM. All the mountain bikes have SRAM. I'll probably convert the CX bike over to SRAM once the RED stuff is out with the parts off the road bike. The worst is having 9 and 10spd stuff more than shimano and SRAM.

James · Jul 25, 2007

I've got a brand new Ultegra group with Easton bar/stem I'll sell ya!

I just put Dura Ace on my Look 555, the old Ultegra parts are going to help me finish my TT bike.
I think the lever feel, shifting, etc, is much snappier on DA stuff vs. Ultegra, or even Force. Which sucks because my new bike has Force. Maybe I just need more time on it...

James · Jul 25, 2007

luelling said:
The new Red group is supposed to be more up to par with top line Campy and Dura Ace. I think the throw on the shifter lever is shorter as well

Yeah, that's on the list, but I'm in no real rush. I'm too busy right now to ride the other bikes all that much, so why have another?

loco-gringo · Jul 25, 2007

LordOpie said:
How many of y'all have more than one road-type bike -and- use different component manufacturers?

Between me and my wife, we have three road bikes and I went with Shimano, in part, cuz I liked being able to swap stuff out as needed.

Roadie for me is Rival. Julie has R600 short reach and Dura-Ace. My CX has 105 10s STI, Ultegra front and DA rear.

loco-gringo · Jul 25, 2007

luelling said:
The new Red group is supposed to be more up to par with top line Campy and Dura Ace. I think the throw on the shifter lever is shorter as well

I may have the first Red/Rival bike out there.

Zutroy · Jul 25, 2007

luelling said:
The new Red group is supposed to be more up to par with top line Campy and Dura Ace. I think the throw on the shifter lever is shorter as well

It suppose to have a much shorter throw, the front full trim function. It also has ajustable reach on both the brake and paddle lever.

loco-gringo · Jul 25, 2007

luelling said:
When are you getting it?

When it's available and I have money.

loco-gringo · Jul 25, 2007

luelling said:
When does the Ultegra SL come out? Or is it out?

Probably October.

SPINTECK · Jul 25, 2007

Dura Ace is sweet, especially the cranks. I've always wanted a campy record bike, but never spent the money. It's definitely a big improvement over 105 looks and weight-wise.

Why buy made in China Sram stuff when you can get Japanese or Italian (is campy still made in italy?)??

jaydee · Jul 26, 2007

Zutroy said:
If your not going to race don't waste money on DA, the levers burn out really quick. Look at the new Ultegra SL, a far bit lighter than the old stuff.

Most of the guys in my club/race team have Dura-Ace. I've never seen a Dura-Ace lever burn out, but I have blown up a few Ultegra levers.

HRDTLBRO · Jul 26, 2007

I'll play devil's advocate and say Campagnolo shifters can be rebuilt.:biggrin: That said, I like Dura-Ace, and the SRAM stuff hasn't been super popular in our shop. The product idea is great, but we've found the fit and finish just isn't up to par with what you'd spend.

loco-gringo · Jul 26, 2007

Dura Ace cogs and rings will outlast Ultegra.

Speaking of fit and finish. I worked on some older Record levers that were not shifting. Some lube to smoke the rust fixed them. I wasn't impressed that they needed fixing though. The blades were beat on the brakes. I chose Rival, simply to avoid carbon levers that look like those over time.

Zutroy · Jul 26, 2007

Ultegra SL is out now. I know Excel sports in CO has it in stock. They rushed to get it out, i guess Rival was putting a big dent in Ultegra sale.

I've had a right lever give out and I know 2 more people who have. They seem to be better than the 9spd ones were, which broke if you looked at them wrong.

SRAM is still saying Oct for Red, but there have been some rumors it might come out in chunks instead of the whole Groupe at once.

sanjuro · Jul 26, 2007

The old D/A bb's were loose bearing, the Ultegra were sealed. Supposedly the loose bearings had less friction, but many teams chose the heavier Ultegra for less service.

I use Ultegra myself.

I haven't seen enough new DA/Ultegra bb's but I would imagine both about the same in durability considering both are external.

BurlyShirley · Jul 26, 2007

I have Sora on my bike. It works ok.

OGRipper · Jul 26, 2007

bogey said:
Dura Ace cogs and rings will outlast Ultegra.

Speaking of fit and finish. I worked on some older Record levers that were not shifting. Some lube to smoke the rust fixed them. I wasn't impressed that they needed fixing though. The blades were beat on the brakes. I chose Rival, simply to avoid carbon levers that look like those over time.

How old? I have carbon record levers on my bike that are 7 years old and they have never given me even one hiccup. As a matter of fact, that is true for the entire group (other than chains and cassettes). Campy for life yo!!

(Seriously, the main reason I prefer campy (aside from the italian heritage and all) is that I very much prefer the ergonomics of the levers, the configuration, and the hidden cables. I hate the feeling of brake levers that move in more than one plane like shimano, and I also dislike the busy look of the cables. Plus, I have been amazed at how well the stuff works over time. Solid and consistent since the day it was installed.)

loco-gringo · Jul 26, 2007

The Record bike has not been cared for and sweat is a large part of the problem.

Serial Midget · Jul 26, 2007

I bought Campagnolo Chorus the first year it was offered with a 10 speed cassette, 2003? 2004? I don't know. I do know that it has been 100% trouble free. I bought the entire kit, not just the bits that show.

I have no reason to update. Prior to the Chorus group I ran a mix of DA / Ultegra. I blew out the Ultegra shifers pretty fast - within 2 or 3 seasons. I was told it was because I rode in the rain. Phhhffft.

I upgraded to DuraAce shifter in 1999 and within 1 season the right shifter began to rattle. Everything else was quiet as can be but you could always hear that damn shifter rattle!!! I never had any issues of failure and managed to get a few bucks back out of them on eBay.

Chorus is beautiful, functional and engineered to stand the test of time - Shimano seams to more focused on marketing and planned obsolescence. You have it for 3 or 4 years and you want a new kit because yours looks a bit last year... my limited experience suggests that those who keep their road bikes for a very long time may want to think about campy, those who change bikes every few years may be better off with Shimano since it costs less and works just as well.

or so it seems to me.

-dustin · Jul 26, 2007

the 3yr warranty is worth the upgrade for the shifters, especially if you're racing. cranks? eh. were it me, Ultegra everything, D/A shifters.

my next bike will be 9sp Campy with UT cranks.

still don't like SRAM.

Cannondale will be releasing a SuperSix decked out with Red, 303s, SRM, etc etc. all for $10k. white frame. so hot.

MtnbikeMike · Jul 27, 2007

-dustin said:
the 3yr warranty is worth the upgrade for the shifters, especially if you're racing. cranks? eh. were it me, Ultegra everything, D/A shifters.

my next bike will be 9sp Campy with UT cranks.

still don't like SRAM.

Cannondale will be releasing a SuperSix decked out with Red, 303s, SRM, etc etc. all for $10k. white frame. so hot.

Hot indeed...except for the price.

macko · Jul 27, 2007

I'm picking up my first road frame tomorrow and am trying to determine what I want in my drivetrain. I'm a fan of SRAM (dunno why, guess it's just what I've always used) but I know I can piece together an Ultegra/105 groupo for much cheaper; which would put me on the bike much quicker.

I know this thread's fallen away from the original post, but from what the shop guys have told me is that D/A is great for serious racing, but Ultegra is perfect for 85% of the roadies out there.

LordOpie · Jul 27, 2007

macko said:
...but from what the shop guys have told me is that D/A is great for serious racing, but Ultegra is perfect for 85% of the roadies out there.

I'd say 105 is fine for most of that 85%.

Upgrading to Dura Ace

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