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If you’re a road cyclist who takes your cycling seriously, you want to be using the best parts for maintaining your bike. Finding the right groupset does require taking various factors into consideration. After all, every cyclist has his or her personal preferences when it comes to getting the most out of their bike. Shimano offers a range of road groupsets with different features and specifications.
Many cyclists are familiar with two of Shimano’s groupsets which leads to much discussion around which is better when comparing Shimano 105 vs. Ultegra. We’ve done the legwork for you so you can make a well-informed decision about which of the two groupsets suits you and your road bike best.
Read on for an in-depth review of the features, pros and cons, and what makes the 105 different from the Ultegra. We’ll also help you decide how to choose between the two groupsets.
Road bike groupsets are made up of brake levers, shifters, brake calipers, crankset, derailleurs, chain, bottom bracket, and cassette. These parts are packed according to different levels by brands. Our quick overview table highlights the main features of Ultegra and 105 groupsets while comparing the specifications of both the Shimano 105 and Ultegra.
At a glance, you’ll notice a number of similarities that may make you wonder what sets the two groupsets apart. Find out by reading on as we flesh out the similarities and differences in more detail.
| Features | 105 R7000 | Ultegra R8000 | |
| Speed | 11 | 11 | |
| Colors | Silky black / Spark silver | Series color | |
| Average weight | 251 ( /pc) | 220 ( /pc) | |
| Clamp band | 23.8 – 24.2 mm | 23.8 – 24.2 mm | |
| Reach adjust | crew | Screw | |
| Rear speeds | 11 | 11 | |
| Shifter type | Dual control lever | Dual control lever | |
| VIEW ON AMAZON | VIEW ON AMAZON |
Shimano updates their groupsets on a regular basis, ensuring you get parts using the latest innovative technology to improve your ride. The 105 R7000 is the brand’s current groupset designed with the beginner cyclist in mind. The brand’s intention is to equip riders with up-to-date parts to give them the edge when starting to take on the challenges of serious races while ensuring pleasurable long rides.
Main featuresThe shifters have a compact bracket with the mechanism being enclosed. It has a 10mm screw type Reach adjust, and gear changing is smooth with short strokes. Friction is reduced with polyme Trusted Source Polymeric surface - Wikipedia Polymeric materials have widespread application due to their versatile characteristics, cost-effectiveness, and highly tailored production. The science of polymer synthesis allows for excellent control over the properties of a bulk polymer sample. However, surface interactions of polymer substrates are an essential area of study in biotechnology, nanotechnology, and in all forms of coating applications. In these cases, the surface characteristics of the polymer and material, and the resulting forces between them largely determine its utility and reliability. In biomedical applications for example, the bodily response to foreign material, and thus biocompatibility, is governed by surface interactions. In addition, surface science is integral part of the formulation, manufacturing, and application of coatings. en.wikipedia.org r-coated cables. The braking system is efficient while being powerful.
Riders using these dual control levers find them comfortable with extra grip. The pair weighs in at 486g.
The front derailleurs give 2 x 11-speed shifting, with light action. The refined design includes a long arm lever which is responsible for lighter action. The rear derailleurs are also designed to ensure you don’t compromise on performance, with precise shifting for 11-speed systems, and are available in both short and medium cages.
Neither balance nor efficiency is compromised with this crankset which guarantees optimal stiffness. The rider is given multiple choices of gear combinations. And, it’s designed to give a wider gear pitch for increased chain clearance with small gearings on the 135mm O.L.D. frames. It comes in the following chainring options:
Crank arm lengths range from 160 to 175mm.
The R7000 cassette is available in a number of ratio ranges for both road and mixed surfaces. It’s compatible with the HG-X11/CN-LG 11-speed chain.
The Shimano 105 groupset also offers the HG700-11 cassette designed for low climbing gears and is compatible with both 10 and 11-speed freehubs. This cassette is suitable for most drop handlebar road bikes.
The dual pivot rim brakes are sleek in design and suitable for 28mm tires while also compatible with the wider 28C tires. They’re perfect for both traditional and direct mount selections. The linear braking curve is precise with stable, equalized stopping power. Its quick lever release maximizes performance for the rider.
The hydraulic disc brakes are designed to optimize rider control no matter the riding condition. They offer excellent heat dissipation and are easy to install and maintain. The one-way bleeding system is simple and clean. These brake systems come for both front and rear mounting.
The Shimano Ultegra R8000 groupset is also 11-speed, which is ultimately what causes a lot of angst for bikers choosing between this one and the Shimano 105 groupset! However, if you’re looking for slightly lighter parts with more durable coatings, you’ll get them in the Ultegra groupset. Similar to all groupsets from this brand, the Shimano Ultegra R8000 is an updated version.
Main featuresThe shifters have a neat profile, with a pair weighing in at 438g. They’re easy to use, comfortable with short strokes and lighter action, and are an improvement on older designs.
The curved design is easier on the fingers while making one-finger braking smoother and more efficient. The shifters are constructed with carbon-fiber plastic brackets and main levers.
Similar to the Shimano 105, the front derailleur design allows for easy shifting and includes a tension adjustment screw for optimal performance. The unit is compact and accommodates chainrings up to 53T. Here, the trim position feature prevents chain rub when moving across the cassette. The rear derailleur is also available in both short and medium cages, giving riders more versatility. Lighter and quicker action is noticeable during gear shifts.
The Ultegra includes the same chainrings as the Shimano 105 chainset. However, it also has a 46-36T cyclocross Trusted Source What is Cyclocross? | USA Cycling Cyclocross is a unique, non-Olympic discipline of cycling that can best de described as a cross between road cycling, mountain biking and steeplechase. Watching cyclists dismount their bikes to run up stairs and steep embankments often arouses questions about the origin of the sport. Although it is difficult to find the exact reason, many legends have it that cyclists would race from town to town off road to bring a new element to road racing. These off road adventures could have often required dismounting to hop fences and impossible terrain. usacycling.org option. Note that the crank arm lengths are the same as the 105 cranksets. The crankset is constructed with aluminum and basically uses the same technology as the 105 chainsets. But, the Ultegra outer chainring is a two-piece construction that can result in grime build-up. Regarding the 105 vs Ultegra crankset weight, the Ultegra wins, as it proves to be a bit lighter than 105’s crankset.
The Ultegra cassette weighs 243g and is designed for 11-speed systems. Ultegra is available in the same tooth range as the 105, with additional availability in both 11-25T and 14-28T. The sprockets and lock spring are constructed with nickel-plated steel, while the spider arm is made with carbon and aluminum. The main difference between Shimano 105 and Ultegra cassette is the weight. But the difference is quite negligible, about 23-35g depending on the size, making the Shimano 105 vs Ultegra cassette comparison not that significant when compared to other aspects.
Ultegra dual-pivot brakes are constructed with the same material as the 105 using aluminum. They carry the same design as the 105 dual-pivot brakes, offering great performance with equalized braking and superior control. Ultegra dual-pivot brakes are slightly lighter in weight compared to the Shimano 105.
The hydraulic disc brakes are constructed with engineered composite making them lighter by a few grams compared to the 105 sets. Braking’s performance is as good as the Shimano 105.
We’ve already noted how similar the groupsets are between the Shimano 105 and Ultegra. They’re both designed for 11-speed systems, and their parts are designed to offer a smooth but powerful performance. All parts are constructed with premium quality materials which makes this brand a popular choice for most bikers. So, what makes the two groupsets different enough to make you think twice before deciding which is your best pick?
The key differences lie in the following:
Is Ultegra Better than Shimano 105, or Vice Versa?Choosing between the Shimano 105 and Ultegra is challenging unless you like the idea of paying more cash for a group set that gives you parts at a minimally lower weight. Both groupsets offer parts with sleek designs, excellent functionality that offers smooth and powerful performance while being compatible with all road bikes.
However, if you want slightly more versatility, such as the cyclocross option and a crankset that’s available for 11-25T and 14-28T, then Ultegra is your best pick. Some riders also prefer the one-braking feature of the Ultegra dual control lever design.
Comparing the features between Shimano 105 and Ultegra clearly indicates why riders debate the two groupsets and wonder why one is sometimes considered better than the other. It really comes down to personal preferences and whether weight is a significant factor when out on the road competing or taking a weekend-long ride.
Both professional and amateur riders find the differences so slight that if you choose the cost-effective Shimano 105, you’ll still benefit from the brand’s innovative and top-quality bike components. Ultegra parts are designed to be lighter with different materials, but that’s all that sets the two groupsets apart. So, when deciding between the Shimano 105 vs. Ultegra, know that both groupsets will ultimately keep you riding at peak performance no matter which parts you use.
