Groupsets, noticable difference?

[Idoru]

I'm looking for my n+1 and I'm pretty much settled on a Giant Defy Composite (providing it feels right when I get sat on it). I'm looking at a new bike as I stupidly bought my current bike too large a few years ago and it's starting to limit my enjoyment of long rides.

The 2 models I'm looking at the Defy Composite 1 (Ultegra groupset) and Defy Composite 2 (105 groupset).

The difference between the 2 models is £300... which is a decent chunk of change that I could spend elsewhere.

Will I, as a basic, old, overweight plodder looking to do a couple of long sportives a year and get in some nice long rides most wekeends (Welsh weather permitting), notice any real difference between the 2 groupsets? My current bike is 2012 Sora, with the thumb switch shifters, and I'm happy enough with that.

Either groupset will be an improvement... but will I notice £300 worth of difference?

If anyone want to recommend any other "comfort/relaxed" geometry bikes, 'm not as supple as I once was, in the £1500 region please chip in. I keep looking longingly at a Spec Roubaix but it feels like poor value compared to other brands.

 

[Kies]

105 is enough for most people. If setup correctly it's a very good groupset. Ultegra will be lighter by a few grams and nice to have, but certainly not required. Your intro suggests you are not into racing or sportives etc, so my advice would be to go with 105 and use the £300 saved for other bike related kit.
Maybe a Garmin 800 for example :-)

 

[stevede]

I have just bought a Spesh Roubaix SL4 Sport Compact via C2W. I toyed with the idea of getting the std model with Sora and then getting an Ultegra groupset (sell the Sora) and have a V nice bike.

In the end, I went for the sport with 105 (I liked the black / red frame as opposed to the black / grey).

105 shifts superbly with no issues whatsoever. Massive improvement on my old bike with Tiagra triple. A late night on eBay however, as you do, saw an as new Ultegra set local to me and a last minute silly o'clock bid saw it as mine. It looks better (IMO) grey against black, and it's a bit lighter (Yep, I weighed it all). Does it shift any better? Not noticeably to me. The subsequent sale of my 100 mile 105 means the Ultegra didn't cost me a lot but I would have been disappointed had I paid full whack.

Incidentally, my test ride pre purchase was on the Sora model (£1300) and that worked fine also.

My view on the Roubaix? Superb & glad I went for it. It's tested in one of the cycling mags this month and despite comments on its spec etc, it comes out on top.

Regards

Steve

 

[Cuchilo]

I have Shimano 2300 on a Defy and Ultegra on a TCR . Both bikes make me smile . Between the two bikes its no big deal to me .
Now if we are talking " Tart value " That's another story

 

[LimeBurn]

Tart value is very important though
I went from tiagra to ultegra and the shifts are more positive and the feel is better - is the difference worth it cost wise - probably not but it looks better and like Chuchilo says tart value costs £££

 

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

No

 

[Idoru]

I must admit it was probably tart value that was drawing me to the Ultegra, I'd like to look like I have the potential to go fast... right up until the point that I start peddling of course.

Thanks for the information all, much appreciated.

 

[LimeBurn]

Pedalling surely - unless you'll be selling your wares.

 

[smokeysmoo]

will I notice £300 worth of difference?

Nope

 

[Idoru]

If I do sell my wares the Ultegra becomes less of a tart upgrade and more of a requirement?

If that's how I have to fund the bike though I'll need to start looking at a 2nd hand BSO

 

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

I must admit it was probably tart value that was drawing me to the Ultegra, I'd like to look like I have the potential to go fast... right up until the point that I start peddling of course.

Thanks for the information all, much appreciated.

Depends how you look at it. Upgrading from Sora to 105 is a fairly massive jump mechanically before you consider asthetics. Going from 105 to Ultegra isn't anywhere near as huge.

I ride with both 105 and ultegra on a daily basis, the difference definitely isn't £300 worth. But I've also rode really old sora, 2300sti, claris and various 7speed groupsets over the years. Simply no comparison to a properly setup STI groupo

 

[raleighnut]

Ultegra is pretty much last seasons Dura-ace, 105 last seasons Ultegra so the 105 is not noticeably that different in performance (still don't like the look of my 105 Hollowtech crank yet) Shimano tech filters down after all they're not gonna scrap all that tooling when they develop new designs at the top end.

 

[jay clock]

bugger all difference. I had a trek 1.2 with Shimano 2200 (i.e. one below Sora) and upgraded to a Trek 2.1 with 105. The frame made a lot of difference - the group set I would be hard pressed to notice, other than the 105 is the more modern style with the levers doing both up and down changes, rather than thumb shift for the 2200

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Ultegra is pretty much last seasons Dura-ace,

I have no idea where this myth comes from but its not true imho.
Lasts years Dura-Ace was 10 speed this years Ultegra is 11 Speed when you read the technical documentation the spring loading on the mechs are not the same and many other things do not suggest anything of the sort.
Likewise the technical differences between last years Dura-Ace Di2 shows a largely different beast to the Ultegra Ui2 system.

Im not quite sure what people mean when they say 'filter down' technology - I get the impression its means knowledge, lessons and experience gained from other product development is used on other products moving forward.

 

[stevede]

I must admit it was probably tart value that was drawing me to the Ultegra

Guilty as charged there