Technique

Test: Shimano Ultregra SL

Details

Parent Category: Technique

Category: Shimano

Published on Monday, 09 March 2009 10:50

Written by Luca Salvatelli

A reliable group set, high quality with good value for money

The Company

Shimano was founded in 1921 by its founder, Shozaburo Shimano. The first product were the freewheel and from there began a success. In 1931 and the first exports in 1956 produced the first derailleur. In 1972 he opened the European headquarters, the final step of a process of expansion in markets that saw Shimano debut on the European stage at the Milan trade fair of 1965. In 1982 the first group from mtb while diversifying the company into other areas such as sport fishing, golf and skiing.

The range Shimano

As world leader Shimano can only have a full range of products by road, mtb and tourism, in addition to a wide range of clothing, shoes, wheels, pedals and components. The range street saw the birth of the electronic exchange Dura-Ace, which flanks the new Dura Ace. For 2009 no changes were made to the group Ultegra SL renewed for 2008, which remains, for Shimano, a high quality product, but offered at a price well below the sophisticated Dura Ace.

The group set Ultegra SL we tried

The group set Ultegra SL is the evolution of the "old" Ultegra, which remain in catalogue, which is different for a lower total weight of about 100 grams and dark grey finish, or "grey" as is called by Shimano. Details, then, together with a new aesthetic. Although this remains a group of success for its reliability, quality and favorable price-quality ratio. The full group is composed of controls, brakes, crank, chain, gear, derailleur, rear cogs, wheels and pedals. We tested the group, devoid of wheels and pedals. The crank is available in 4 options, 53-39, 52-39, 34-50, 30-39-50; is forged aluminium with reinforced spiders. Is available with cranks 165, 170, 172.7 and 175 mm. It has a weight of 288 grams including integrated bottom bracket (45 grams less than the old model), while the triple weighs 983 grams and 808 grams, the compact version. The chain is specific to the ten-speed, it is abundantly relieved and has a weight of 280 grams in the version with 116 mesh. The derailleur, with a pay band or not, has grey finish. Has all the aluminium and steel cage chain with a weight of 89 grams. Now for triple crank, however, has a weight of 113 grams and a greater ability to adapt to more gears. The rear derailleur comes in two configurations for double or triple crank and should present no significant change with respect to the old model if not the grey particular. The controls are lighter to about 16 grams compared to the old model and provided in two versions, for double crank or triple: they weigh 447 grams. The brakes are both double calipier forged aluminium. They have a weight of 320 grams and the pair promise a reduction in weight of about 13 grams compared to the old model. The cassette sprocket has a weight of 217 grams in combination 11-23 and is available in eight different combinations:
11,12,13,14,15,16,17,19,21,23
12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,21,23
12,13,14,15,16,17,19,21,23,25
12,13,14,15,16,17,19,21,24,27
13,14,15,16,17,18,19,21,23,25
14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,23,25
15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,25
16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,25,27

The road test

The group Ultegra SL is fully implemented and the new finish can go better to some colours of a bike. From an aesthetic point of view, finish aside, it is difficult to immediately notice the differences from the old group. The controls maintain the usual approach Shimano, with levers next to the hands, and are fluid and precise. The grip allows all a solid and secure and, despite all those who have small hands is at ease and with a firm and secure. The fluid controls accentuates the pleasure of using gear, derailleur and brake them with precise, smooth and quiet. Both derailleur gear that are very precise and very difficult to mistake the passage of the report. The silence was only under considerable effort and you can feel a greater noise, but always very content. The drive speed is good but not exceptional, as well as the travel command, not excessive, but even very small. The brakes were observed mainly modular and powerful. Between the two shows the rear brake, more powerful media, while the front brake is part of the standard. For both, however, ease of operation is remarkable and very high scalability, so that we can curb the best ever in terms of poor grip. The crank, in our case compact, has proved hard and sliding, maybe not the absolute top, but certainly better than many competitors achievements even greater price range. But in general the whole transmission to flow well, without resorting to special fraud, but only with careful planning and implementation.

Conclusions

The group Ultegra SL has proved excellent, compared to the old model changes of detail and are not felt, but the quality of this group remain as ever, and winning. Done with care and well finished, has a good feature, especially as regards the flow of commands and drive the foreign exchange accurate report. More than good rigidity of the crank and fluency of the entire transmission, while excellent is the scalability of the brake. Strengths, but to be fussy, is that the front brake might be more ready and powerful. Indeed, as is now the rear brake has excellent performance when compared with competitors, the meter is part anterior normal. There remains a group of quality, not flashy at the lack of carbon, but of substance, the overall performance not far from the Dura-Ace costing much more.

The price

The price that you can get a group like the one being tested is approximately 530,00 Euros, considering the weight and performance value for price is more than good.

Is suitable for

Athlete: everyone wants the Dura Ace, but this is a viable alternative for those who have no major budget.
GF cyclist-tourist: a group ideal for a bike quality, reliable, but without resorting to extreme weight and cost.
Women: ease of use and the fluidity of the controls make it a group referred to women.

Positive aspects

Finishing accurate
Fluidity of the controls
Precise gear and derailleur
Scalability brake

Negative aspects

Front brake less powerful, proportionately, the rear brake

For further informations:

Shimano
Web Site: www.shimano.com