Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace?

Question

Is it worth the extra $750 to get a bike with Dura-Ace over Ultegra. Basically the Trek Madone 5.5 vs 5.2?

Answer 1

Main difference...

Ultegra - two year warranty.
Durace - three year warranty.

Which one is right, answer below...

I do a century every other weekend - Durace
I ride with my buddies on Sunday moring - Ultegra
I'm in college and they have a race team I'm on - Ultegra
I want the finest ride possible for my boutique bike - Durace
I can't tell the difference between the two blind folded - Priceless

Bontrager wheels are the ONLY wheel giving MAVIC a run for the money.

Daniel H - If your wheels are causing your drivetrain to come out of adjustment, then you've got a problem! Think about what your saying, Daniel H... Tell me how MANY of those wheels are spec'ed on Trek, Klein, Lemond, and Fisher products and how is it the wheel system I hardly ever have to work on, and furthermore, HOW did Lance and Postal/Disco do it on the said equipment - 7 years in a row!!! Think about what you are saying Daniel H - I DOESN"T MAKE SENSE!!!

Bontrager has a Wonderfull FIVE year warranty, and they are made here in the USA - Not some Chineese wheel with an identity crisis Easton/Velomax. I looked at Easton Wheels and the freehub pawls ride on Aluminum..? How durable is that, no thanks - I'll take Stainless Steal please!

Answer 2

Not worth the extra dough if you are cost conscious. Dura Ace weighs less and the performance is about the same as Ultegra. Some Ultegra components are actually better for the recreational rider, since we don’t have race mechanics inspecting and tweaking our bikes all of the time. I ride Dura Ace but would probably go with Ultegra on my next bike to save a few bucks. I’ve replaced some of my Dura Ace components with Ultegra when they needed replacing.

Go with the Madone 5.2 and use the rest of the money on cool toys like a Garmin 305 or carbon cages.

Answer 3

Ultegra Vs Dura Ace

Answer 4

Considering that the price of the fastest wheels, Easton Velomax Tempest 2 series, is about that same $750, why don't you skip the difference between Ultegra and Dura-Ace, which isn't detectable, and go with some far faster wheels for the difference?

I'm just illustrating something that's worth a $750 difference. I'd see if the bike dealer would give a discount in trade for the slow, rough riding, Bontrager wheels.

Between Dura-Ace and Ultegra, that difference isn't worth a cent, because all you get then is $750 worth of marketing, a higher resale value, and a bit more shine.

Now, the SRAM system is worth quite a bit more than either Ultegra or Dura Ace because the longer reach on the rear derailleur cuts down on chain drag, plus the 200% cable pull is less likely to go out if adjustment when you get on a chip-n-seal road.

Simply put, Sram added cable pull to stay in adjustment, Campy added cog space to stay in adjustment, but Shimano made no attempt whatsoever.
And today's Shimano systems are warmed over 8 cog systems without the necessary new engineering to stay in adjustment when thinned down for 10 cogs.

If you're going Shimano Ultegra or the identical Dura Ace, be sure to have in-line cable adjusters next to your shifters because you'll need them to be able to restore shifting when a rough road knocks Shimano out of adjustment.

The shock absorbing spokes in the wheels mentioned above are considerably helpful with the Shimano shifting vs. chip-n-seal problem that is exactly the same for both Ultegra and Dura Ace.

Answer 5

Both Ultegra and Dura-Ace are very good components. My experience is that the Ultegra will wear better than the Dura-ace. (but they will both take a pounding) If your competing Dura-ace has the edge in performance.(but most riders could not tell the difference).
Since you are talking Trek Madone I would assume that cost is not that big a factor to you. If you think about it long enough you can justify just about anything to yourself.
The Madone is a really good bike and I would suggest the Dura-Ace will finish it off nicely. If you have to go bling go the hole nine yards.
I love really good bikes but think they are wasted on many of the people I see riding them. I prefer to see them under really good riders. Personally I would probably opt for two quite good bikes with Ultega for this price. If someone gave me a Madone (I'm corruptible) it would wind up with Dura-ace components.

Answer 6

The weight is lower on the Dura Ace, yes. Is it a bit more finicky? Yes. Dura Ace is built to stand up to pro level amounts of miles. So...it's lighter, which is highly beneficial on long rides and for climbing. But, the internal parts are made of higher quality materials, as are the chainrings and cassettes. Even the bearings (on the R jockey wheels and bb cups) are higher quality. So the bottom line is, this stuff is going to perform better, for a longer period of time. Sure, brand new Dura Ace and Ultegra feel almost identical. But after a year of riding, you will see the proof in the continued higher performance of Dura Ace. I rode Ultegra bikes for years, and 3 seasons ago I got a Dura Ace bike. I will never go back.

Answer 7

Unless you're an elite lever racer, it's not worth it. You won't be able to tell the difference, they're both extrememly high quality. Dura-Ace is only slightly lighter.

Answer 8

Ultegra offers a little lighter weight, which in turn means less weight to haul up a hill, and smoother shifting. It's cheaper to buy a complete bike with Ultegra, than to upgrade an older bike from 105. You have to look at your budget and the amount of time you will spend in the saddle and decide from there.

Answer 9

No.

Ultegra is equally as responsive as Dura Ace but in my opinion it is a bit stronger.

Reducing weight on the drivetrain is asking for trouble and does not give you any edge in performance.

Answer 10

Only if your have no problem affording it or are a pretty high end racer, (Cat. 2 or better.) Ultegra's sweet.