Shimano Dura-Ace vs Ultegra vs 105 Cassettes

Experienced cyclist turned writer with 7+ years working in bike shops, overseeing retail and workshop operations.
Updated:

This page compares the differences between the 11 and 12-speed Shimano Dura-Ace, Ultegra, and 105 cassettes in terms of model names, weight, cog size, and materials.

Shimano 12-speed cassettes

12-speed cassette models

Shimano Dura-Ace vs Ultegra vs 105 12-speed Cassettes
Shimano Dura-Ace vs Ultegra vs 105 12-speed Cassettes
ComparisonDura-AceUltegra105
Model numberCS-R9200-12CS-R8100-12CS-R7100-12
TechnologyHyperglide+Hyperglide+Hyperglide
Cog materialTitanium, steelSteelSteel
Spider materialAluminumAluminumAluminum
Retail price (USD)$360$112$66
Where to buyAmazon
Competitive Cyclist
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Amazon
Competitive Cyclist
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Amazon
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Shimano Dura-Ace vs Ultegra vs 105, 12-speed cassettes overview

Dura-Ace vs Ultegra vs 105, 12-speed cassette weight

The Dura-Ace cassette is the lightest, followed by Ultegra and 105 cassettes.

The Dura-Ace cassette is up to 35% lighter because the cogs are made of titanium and steel. The Ultegra and 105 cogs are made from steel only.

Cassette sizeDura-AceUltegra105
11-30T223g291gn/a
11-34T253g345g361g
Weight of Shimano Dura-Ace, Ultegra, and 105, 12-speed cassettes

12-speed Shimano cassette materials

Shimano Dura-Ace R9200, 11-30T cassette

The Shimano 105 and Ultegra, 12-speed cassette cogs are made entirely of steel.

On the contrary, the Shimano Dura-Ace, 12-speed cassette cogs are made of steel and titanium to lower the weight. Depending on cassette size, titanium is used in the largest five and/or six cogs. From the photo above, the darker grey (largest 6) cogs of an 11-30T cassette are made from titanium.

The table below shows the breakdown between steel vs titanium cogs in a Shimano Dura-Ace, 12-speed cassette.

ModelCassette sizeSteelTitanium
11-30TDura-Ace11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16T17, 19, 21, 24, 27, 30T
11-34TDura-Ace11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19T21, 24, 28, 32, 34T
Cog size vs materials for Shimano 105, Ultegra and Dura-Ace, 12-speed cassettes

Shimano 11-speed cassettes

11-speed cassette models

Shimano Dura-Ace vs Ultegra vs 105 11-speed Cassettes
Shimano Dura-Ace vs Ultegra vs 105 11-speed Cassettes
ComparisonDura-AceUltegra105
Model numberCS-R9100-11CS-R8000-11CS-R7000-11
TechnologyHyperglideHyperglideHyperglide
Cog materialTitanium, steelSteelSteel
Spider materialAluminum, carbonAluminum, carbonAluminum
Retail price (USD)$270 – $293$87 – $94$54 – $57
Where to buyAmazon
Competitive Cyclist
Wiggle
Amazon
Competitive Cyclist
Wiggle
Amazon
Competitive Cyclist
Wiggle
11-speed Shimano Dura-Ace vs Ultegra vs 105 cassettes

Dura-Ace vs Ultegra vs 105, 11-speed cassette weight

Cassette sizeDura-AceUltegra105
11-25T175g232g
11-28T193g251g284g
11-30T211g269g304g
11-32T320g
12-25T189g243g269g
12-28T205g292g
14-28T300g
11-speed Shimano Dura-Ace, Ultegra, and 105 cassette weight

11-speed cassette materials

Shimano Dura-Ace R9100, 11-30T cassette

All Shimano 105 and Ultegra, 11-speed cassettes have steel cogs.

Steel and titanium are used in the 11-speed Dura-Ace cassette. From the photo above, the darker grey (largest 5) cogs are made from titanium to lower the overall weight to 211g for 11-30T.

The table below shows the breakdown between steel vs titanium cogs in a Shimano Dura-Ace, 11-speed cassette.

Cog sizeSteel cogsTitanium cogs
11-25T11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16T17, 19, 21, 23, 25T
11-28T11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 19T19, 21, 23, 25, 28T
11-30T11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17T19, 21, 24, 27, 30T
12-25T12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17T18, 19, 21, 23, 25T
12-28T12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17T19, 21, 23, 25, 28T
Steel vs titanium cogs in a 11-speed Shimano Dura-Ace cassette
Bernard Lu at Mr.Mamil

Bernard Lu has 7+ years of experience working in a bicycle shop, overseeing the retail and workshop operations. He’s a qualified bicycle mechanic who understands a cyclist’s needs and speaks the same cycling lingo.

If you meet him at the cafe, he will happily talk to you for hours about all the intricacies of bikes and cycling tech. Just buy him a coffee next time you see him.