You Are Here: Home > Shimano Road Groupsets > Shimano Ultegra Groupset Review

Shimano Ultegra Groupset Review

Shimano Ultegra groupset remains one of the most trusted and recognisable groupsets available for passionate cyclists today. The 6700 series has been completely revitalised making it one of the sleekest, high performing groupsets ever created. Part of Shimano’s second tier groupsets, the Ultegra possesses some fantastic features, including newly refined carbon brake levers and lightweight cassette.

One of the most notable new changes all of our testers instantly noticed was the Ultegra’s crankset. The HollowTech II 10-speed design possesses the perfect equilibrium of light weight and rigidity. The hollow outer chainring has a HollowGlide design, which offers riders a vast amount of improvement in the level of stiffness, reducing the overall amount of flex as well as greatly improving the cranksets shifting performance. The chainring teeth have also been improved and when coupled with the CN7900 and CN6700 chains, riders can enjoy a more efficient power transfer. Impressively, the Shimano Ultegra also offers a variety of different chainring options and crank arm lengths so that every rider can achieve a more efficient and comfortable fit. The Hollowtech II integrated bottom bracket has also been revitalised, creating an optimum level of stiffness, while the seal design of the bottom bracket ensures minimal bearing interface for increased strength and smooth rolling.

Another notable change many testers recognised was the brakes of the Ultegra 6700 series. The carbon brake levers have been completely redesigned; the lever’s design, with its extra surface area allows riders to shift more easily. While the brake lever pivot position has been altered to allow for more leverage, enabling riders to obtain better controlled braking. The brakes of the Ultegra have also been dramatically redesigned, in particular the increased brake arch allows for a more linear response. The internal cable routing reduced the amount of friction, while the brake shoe has been constructed using a new compound for enhanced stopping power in wet conditions.

The cassette of the Ultegra 6700 series is a dramatic improvement on the 6600 series. It features Shimano’s pioneering HyperGlide sprocket design, ensuring that the sprockets are lightweight and durable, as well as possess an improved teeth shape design for more accurate shifting.

Another notable redesign of the Ultegra is the rear derailleur, the wide design and reduced friction of the derailleur ensures that riders can enjoy smooth and accurate shifting. While the redesign has also meant that the derailleur is also wide gear ratio compatible.

Shimano have invested a large amount of time and effort into theUltegra and it clearly shows. It is one of the most aesthetically pleasing as well as performance enhancing and durable groupsets, creating a very impressive groupset that will soon become the benchmark for other cycling manufacturers.