105 / Ultegra Brake Compatibility

[bpsmith]

I have 2 bikes. One has 105 10 speed groupset, but Tektro brakes that are far from inspiring. The other has Ultegra 11 speed groupset, but FSA brakes, although the brakes are a lot better on this bike.

Am looking to upgrade the Tektro bike and wondering what options I have in either 105 or Ultegra. Strangely, there is a variance in price between the 5700 and 5800 105 options and the 6700 and 6800 Ultegra options. Depending on where you shop, the discounts are actually better on the newer options and on Ultegra too. I would normally just buy 105 from the outset if it was not for the discounts.

So, which brakes will actually work on my 105 10 speed setup, so that I can shop around a bit, but not buy something that wont work?

Finally, I saw the Ultegra brakes on a bike in my LBS and liked the notched release/adjustment arm which the Tektro or FSA brakes don't have. Does anyone know if this is fitted to the 105 brakes too?

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

6700 series brakes need the 6700 or 7900 series shifters for the right pull ratio or something

5800 series needs 5800 6800 or 9000 series " "

Basically, keep components to the series you have

 

[bpsmith]

6700 series brakes need the 6700 or 7900 series shifters for the right pull ratio or something

5800 series needs 5800 6800 or 9000 series " "

Basically, keep components to the series you have

Fair enough, but what about 6700 brakes on 5700 brifters? Do you class them as the same series?

 

[tincaman]

They will work, I have mixed Ultegra brakes on Sora, Tiagra, 105 and Ultegra shifters and works with all if them. Try some better pads first if you are still on the stock pads

 

[HLaB]

I ran Ultegra brakes with 105 shifters for circa 25,000miles no problem. Unfortunately I wore the frame out and the new forks needed a longer brake, the lbs only had tektro in stock :-/ I put a few accidents down to the tektro brakes, they were like cheese :-( touch wood i've had no accidents since I changed them for Ultegra long reach.