Force v Ultegra v 105

[goody]

Been thinking about getting a new bike from Rose not sure which groupset to go for. It's going to be the 'best bike' so won't get as much use as the commuter/audax, probably fast shorter rides and trips abroad sportives etc.
I've not used Sram on a roadbike (my mtb is Sram) so how does it compare to Ultegra they're much the same price wise, I know what Ultegra should be like to use and reliability is proven but it's a bit heavier than Force ( minor consideration). Is Sram Force as long lasting and reliable as Ultegra?
If I then decide to go with Ultegra what makes it better than 105, they both look similar both 11speed but 105 is approx 150 grammes heavier is that the main difference?
It's a Xeon CGF I'm thinking of with the Force groupset, they list it as 6.8kg. the 105 is 7.25kg (heavier wheels as well but almost £300 cheaper)

 

[vickster]

http://road.cc/content/review/134951-sram-force-22-groupset

Try to test them, should be easy for ultegra, just go to Evans in Wimbledon. If you love it, job done. Try a bike with 105 too

Remember the higher the groupset, the more expensive replacement parts become, and lighter can mean less long lasting which may be less of an issue for a weekend bike

 

[Onyer]

I have used Ultegra and 105 and for me it is Ultegra every time, if you can afford it. The shifting is just that bit crisper and the brakes are just that bit better. Never used Sram so cannot comment. I did see the new etap at the London bike show and it looked and felt very smart. If I were to go down the electronic route I would look at that rather than Di2

 

[goody]

I'd be happy with the performance of any of them I've got a new tiagra groupset on one of my bikes. Shimano is the safe bet I suppose I know how Sram double tap works and it sounds appealling but is it as durable as Ultegra. I won't be wearing many parts out on it, in four years the bike it's replacing has only had about three chains, one cable set, a couple of sets of pads. (and a new pair of shifters, campag veloce which the indexing seems to lose it's precision after a while).

 

[vickster]

I've never worn out a SRAM part, two of the chains have done around 2000 dry miles and no need to change yet

 

[StuAff]

Pick whichever you like looks/operation/price of best. Hardly worth worrying about the price of chains and cassettes, you don't need to keep on buying whatever level group's ones, just ones that fit. Run 105 cassettes on DA Di2 and no-one will ever know, but your wallet will appreciate the difference.

 

[goody]

I'm leaning towards the Sram at the moment, some of it looks nicer (chainset) some not so nice (calipers) its a bit lighter, just don't know anyone that uses it so didn't want to get it then be told it breaks, wears out, goes all wobbly after six months. It'll still be a few weeks before I order.

 

[Crandoggler]

SRAM for me is like a BMW M3 gearbox, crisp, precise, sometimes a little violent. Shimano top group sets feel a bit like a big Mercedes gearbox, wafting you up to speed, rather than throwing you into gear. They're both as good as each other, but feel totally different.

For me? 1800 miles without a single need to turn a barrel adjuster on SRAM rival. I'd hazard a guess that Force is even better.

 

[Soltydog]

I have Force on the best bike & old 105 on my winter bike. Force wins for me, more comfortable for me. Must have done 5k miles on mine with no issues yet.

 

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

Been thinking about getting a new bike from Rose not sure which groupset to go for. It's going to be the 'best bike' so won't get as much use as the commuter/audax, probably fast shorter rides and trips abroad sportives etc.
I've not used Sram on a roadbike (my mtb is Sram) so how does it compare to Ultegra they're much the same price wise, I know what Ultegra should be like to use and reliability is proven but it's a bit heavier than Force ( minor consideration). Is Sram Force as long lasting and reliable as Ultegra?
If I then decide to go with Ultegra what makes it better than 105, they both look similar both 11speed but 105 is approx 150 grammes heavier is that the main difference?
It's a Xeon CGF I'm thinking of with the Force groupset, they list it as 6.8kg. the 105 is 7.25kg (heavier wheels as well but almost £300 cheaper)

105 is going to be made totally differently with different materials in order to be at it's price point while doing the same thing as Ultegra. It's not as simple as 2014 Ultegra is now 2016 105 etc etc

Apex(Tiagra) Rival(105) Force(Ultegra) and Red(Dura-ace) all do the same thing too. I'd have nothing but positive things to say about my two bikes running hydraulic Rival other than, if they were available with Force I'd have bought instead. The main difference is double-tap vs STI and maybe SRAM's reach adjust

 

[smutchin]

105 is approx 150 grammes heavier is that the main difference?

Yes. For all practical purposes, the current generation of 105 (5800) is only distinguishable from Ultegra if you're the kind of princess who can detect a pea under several layers of mattress.

If you've never used SRAM's DoubleTap shifters before, it's definitely worth trying to get a test ride - personally, I don't get on with them so well, but others prefer them to Shimano. Both are very good quality and Force will be just as reliable as Ultegra, the choice is really down to a matter of personal preference.

 

[jowwy]

i have sram rival and 105.......ive always been a 105 shimano type of fan. price versus effectivness

but i am a sram convert since using the rival on the rebuilt Ti......changing gear is crisp and sharp and braking from the hoods seems a lot better, especially with discs

 

[User482]

Yes. For all practical purposes, the current generation of 105 (5800) is only distinguishable from Ultegra if you're the kind of princess who can detect a pea under several layers of mattress.

Yep. The shifting and braking is way better than before, and I prefer it to the Ultegra 6700 I was using previously.

 

[MrGrumpy]

Have Force on my roadie and 105 hydraulic grpset on my cross. Shimano needs a bigger throw of the lever. Personally prefer sram but to be fair not a huge difference at the high end . Ultegra would be my choice on shimano not too expensive !

 

[goody]

Thanks All. I think if I buy a 'complete' Rose it'll probably be SRAM. If I go for a Canyon Endurace it'll be Ultegra (at 1250 too much of a bargain to ignore) but I've seen a frameset I'm interested in in which case it'll probably be built up with 105! Theres no rush my current bike has done great over the last four years just fancy a bit of a change.