shimano 105 vs ultegra why do i feel this way

[miremare]

Ive been riding a CUBE sl cross with ULTEGRA gear system.
its been faultless.

its handled hills, quick changes, changes with my weigh, never failed once.

Today my canondale super six arrived with shimano 105.

why do i feel as though this is a cheaper, inferior gear changing system even though the bike cost a lot more.

so far:-

high gears very rattly like there is something catching.
ive slipped gears while going up a steep hil.
changing doesnt seem as fluent.


obviously the cube is a HYBRID and this is a road race, why am i not impressed with the super six with shimano 105?

is it that the ultegra is far superior?

 

[HLaB]

Ultegra groupsets are more expensive than 105, that may explain some of the difference but I wouldn't have thought it was so big, perhaps it needs adjusted but I've never had Ultegra and can't say 100%

 

[fossyant]

No - it's not been set up properly.

I mainly use Ultegra and Dura Ace (but both are 15-20 years old - DA 20 years). The better stuff lasts that bit longer, and is a bit lighter, bit crisper, but it is negligible.

I think the 105 isn't set up properly. Get tweaking the alignment !

 

[Smokin Joe]

The seven speed Sora on Mrs SJ's last bike was silky smooth and faultless, so I too would say your 105 hasn't been set up correctly.

 

[briantrumpet]

And the Tiagra on my CAAD9 is fine - not noticeably inferior to the Ultegra on my SuperSix. Just sounds like it needs indexing. When you have got it set up right, I can tell you you've got a treat in store with the Cannondale.

 

[ianrauk]

105 when set up correctly should be very smooth with gear changes. It is the workhorse of the Shimano road groupset. You need to get it set up correctly.

 

[smokeysmoo]

+1 for set up. 105 is extremely dependable. I couldn't really tell a difference between the full 105 on a Ribble 7005 I bought brand new, and the full DA on the cf road bike I had at the time, or indeed the full DA on my CAAD10.

 

[gb155]

I have Ultegra and 105 (Both 2011 models) and tbh while I can tell Ultegera is a LITTLE better, 105 is a sold, dependable commuter workhorse

 

[miremare]

Many thanks for your ideas.

i have o make my mind up.
the bike shop have offered to have a lok at the gears.

I had a sense of DEjaVU.
I had a trek mountain bike about 3 years ago, this had a 105, this was set up correctly, this would slip sometimes going up hill.

ts really daft but litle things like this do put you off, rattling gears put you off.
know what its like when you hear an annoying new noise in your car.

as i live where its hilly, im wondering if the ultegra may be the best solid option.

 

[gb155]

Many thanks for your ideas.

i have o make my mind up.
the bike shop have offered to have a lok at the gears.

I had a sense of DEjaVU.
I had a trek mountain bike about 3 years ago, this had a 105, this was set up correctly, this would slip sometimes going up hill.

ts really daft but litle things like this do put you off, rattling gears put you off.
know what its like when you hear an annoying new noise in your car.

as i live where its hilly, im wondering if the ultegra may be the best solid option.

On my livestong carbon bike the rear mech rattles like crazy - second hand groupset - it used to really annoy me , but it rides like a dream , so I call it character

 

[Banjo]

Many thanks for your ideas.

i have o make my mind up.
the bike shop have offered to have a lok at the gears.

I had a sense of DEjaVU.
I had a trek mountain bike about 3 years ago, this had a 105, this was set up correctly, this would slip sometimes going up hill.

ts really daft but litle things like this do put you off, rattling gears put you off.
know what its like when you hear an annoying new noise in your car.

as i live where its hilly, im wondering if the ultegra may be the best solid option.

I have ridden both and found very little difference. My 105 NEVER slips on hills or rattles and has done about 4500 reliable miles. Probably just needs a bit of cable adjustment but if your not happy get LBS to sort it out.

I am sure once its set up right you will love riding the Super six.

 

[cyberknight]

If set up correctly and the drive-train maintained it should not slip on any level of equipment.

I have used bikes with the old downtube shifters, twist grip shifters on my hybrid, 2300,sora and now sram apex and none have had any slipping.

I can change gears going up hill under load and i get no slip so i would suggest that the bikes are not indexed correctly and the wear on the parts needs to be checked.

 

[Panter]

Sorry, slightly OT but is 105 really just "commuter workhorse" stuff? I have 105 on my bestest carbon Summer bike, my Year round commuter is shod with Tiagra/Sora.

Just feeling a bit insecure now *sniffs*

 

[WychwoodTrev]

I too have a105 on my bestest bike and find it perfect.

 

[Smokin Joe]

He should have gone Campag.