Hi,

Need some questions answered if someone can help me. I have full Ultegra 9 sp right now and was thinking about getting new Ultegra 10 sd. The weight looks almost the same between the two systems so that is out.

My questions are can anyone tell a difference in the shifting between the 9 spd and 10 spd shifters?

Can you tell a difference between 9spd and 10 spd in the cranks and bottom brackets? Do the outboard bearings really make that much difference?

How about the derailers? Can you tell a difference in the front or rear with shifting?

Last, do the new Ultegra shifters have bearings in them like the Dura Ace shifters or are they using bushings just like the old 9 spd stuff? At around $360.00 if they break they are not cheap.

Hi,

Need some questions answered if someone can help me. I have full Ultegra 9 sp right now and was thinking about getting new Ultegra 10 sd. The weight looks almost the same between the two systems so that is out.
Hey lemond2001. My chro-mo century bike is DA9 and my carbon climber is Ultegra 10; I'll give you my observations.


My questions are can anyone tell a difference in the shifting between the 9 spd and 10 spd shifters?
Not sure exactly what you're asking here, but my DA9 shifts more precisely than my Ultegra 10, especially shifting under a load. Never have missed shifts with DA9, but occasionally do with Ultegra 10, even when it seems like it's dailed in.


Can you tell a difference between 9spd and 10 spd in the cranks and bottom brackets? Do the outboard bearings really make that much difference?
BBs don't make any difference between 9S and 10S. As far as cranks go, realize you're using a narrower 10S chain, so your chainrings should match that. My crankset is FSA SL-K Mega Exo Compact, and the chainrings are machined specifically for Shimano 10S chains. Outboard bearings are a good design; IMHO better than Octalink or ISIS in that they're bigger bearings which will give you longer, smoother life. They'll probably also contribute to the stiffness of your BB area, having the spindle contact point wider than the older style. Q-factor difference is negligble, if any.


How about the derailers? Can you tell a difference in the front or rear with shifting?
In the front, the only difference is if you're matching a Shimano 10S chain with an FSA compact crank. Some have reported problems with the ramping and pinning on FSA cranks not picking up the narrower Shimano 10S chains on upshifts. I use the IRD Compact fr.der. and have no problems at all; quick, positive, one-throw shifts. In the rear, the throw ratio is different (shorter), but that's nothing you're going to feel. But the narrower your gear spacing, the more critical it is to have your settings dialed in.


Last, do the new Ultegra shifters have bearings in them like the Dura Ace shifters or are they using bushings just like the old 9 spd stuff? At around $360.00 if they break they are not cheap.
As far as I know, its: DA=bearings, 3-yr. warranty; Ultegra=bushings, 1-yr. warranty. If you've got the $ for DA, I'd pull the trigger. For my carbon climber build, DA put me over budget, otherwise I'd have gone DA again :D .

Hope this helps. - Nojiri

My questions are can anyone tell a difference in the shifting between the 9 spd and 10 spd shifters?

-> yes - but I'm extremely picky. 9spd is fine, 10spd is slightly better.

Can you tell a difference between 9spd and 10 spd in the cranks and bottom brackets? Do the outboard bearings really make that much
difference?

-> I think this is the largest improvement. I didn't care about having 10 gears, but with the outboard bearings I almost never have front derailleur / chain rub under load, and had it with 9spd.

How about the derailers? Can you tell a difference in the front or rear with shifting?

-> no.

Last, do the new Ultegra shifters have bearings in them like the Dura Ace shifters or are they using bushings just like the old 9 spd stuff? At around $360.00 if they break they are not cheap.[/QUOTE]

-> don't know.

+ you forgot the brakes, advertised as being 'great-great-even-better-than-great'.

-> Ultegra 6600 as well as Dura-Ace 7800 brakes are crappy. Koolstop pads improve a bit the performance, but Mavic brakes stop the bike much faster.

Pierre

My questions are can anyone tell a difference in the shifting between the 9 spd and 10 spd shifters?

Can you tell a difference between 9spd and 10 spd in the cranks and bottom brackets? Do the outboard bearings really make that much difference?

How about the derailers? Can you tell a difference in the front or rear with shifting?

I've got Ultegra 9 triple on one bike and just built up new bike with Ultegra 10 triple.

Front shifting seems smoother/easier with U10. In terms of rear shifting, it seems that the U10 lever requires a longer throw to upshift to a smaller cog. This makes double shifts a challenge to pull off smoothly.

The U10 crank/bb definitely seems stiffer and chain rub when climbing out of the saddle has disappeared.

I've got Ultegra 9 triple on one bike and just built up new bike with Ultegra 10 triple.

Front shifting seems smoother/easier with U10. In terms of rear shifting, it seems that the U10 lever requires a longer throw to upshift to a smaller cog. This makes double shifts a challenge to pull off smoothly.

The U10 crank/bb definitely seems stiffer and chain rub when climbing out of the saddle has disappeared.

I agree. The 10s is superior. What I like is the stifffer crank/bottom bracket and the trim setting on the big ring. I always got chain rub on the front derailler cage when sprinting on the 9 speed. The brake levers also have a better feel to them (not as bulky).

I am no genius with a wrench (or anything else for that matter) so it took me a very long time to dial in my 10 speed rd. Now that it is correct I agree that is better than the Ultegra 9 and not quite as crisp as my DA 9.
The real attraction for me is every cassette (12-23, 12-25 and 12-27) has my "sweet 16".