Shimano Ultegra Di2 vs Dura-Ace Di2 12-speed Groupset Comparison

Founder, Mr. Mamil
Updated:

The 12-speed Shimano Ultegra (R8100) and Dura-Ace (R9200) Di2 groupsets were launched in August 2021. On the surface, both groupsets look very similar except for their total weight and pricing. But there is a lot more than meets the eye.

  • Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset is a high-performance groupset for mid to top-end road bikes. The Ultegra groupset is more affordable than the Dura-Ace, making it a good option for riders who want high-performance components without breaking the bank.
  • Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset is Shimano’s flagship offering and is designed for professional-level road racing. It is more expensive and designed for riders who demand the best performance and technology.

I’ll break down each of the groupset’s components and discuss their differences. This will help you decide if the Ultegra or Dura-Ace groupset suits your riding needs.

Key takeaways

The Shimano Ultegra Di2 is a mid to high-tiered groupset for serious cyclists compared to the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 for those racing and demanding the best. Many professional cyclists use the Ultegra components, such as chains and cassettes, for their training rides due to their lower costs.

The Shimano Ultegra and Dura-Ace Di2 groupsets share the same design and all functionalities. Both groupsets feature new features such as semi-wireless shifting, a redesigned brake hood, an extra 10% brake pad clearance, a power meter crankset, and a 160mm crankarm length.

But unknown to many, there are many differences between the Ultegra and Dura-Ace groupsets beyond the weight and price.

ComparisonShimano Ultegra Di2Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
Groupset seriesR8100R9200
Speed1212
LaunchedAugust 2021August 2021
Rim brakeYesYes
Disc brakeYesYes
Semi-wireless shiftingYesYes
Power meter cranksetYesYes
Groupset weight2,338g2,076g
(262g lighter)
Price range (USD)$2,400 to $2,500$4,200 to $4,500
Overview of Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace Di2 electronic groupsets

Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace brake levers and shifters

Shimano Ultegra R8170 vs Dura-Ace R9270 Brake Levers
Shimano Ultegra R8170 vs Dura-Ace R9270 disc brake levers

The Dura-Ace and Ultegra brake levers and shifters are in disc and rim brake versions.

The difference between the rim and disc brake levers is the weight and number of Di2 ports (3 for rim brake, 2 for disc brake). The rim brake levers are lighter; 96g (Ultegra) and 120g (Dura-Ace).

Other than that, they all share the same design and functionalities such as;

  • Servo Wave technology
  • Third (hood) button
  • 16.4mm brake lever reach adjustment
  • Single CR1632 battery per lever
ComparisonShimano Ultegra Di2 (rim brake)Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (rim brake)Shimano Ultegra Di2 (disc brake)Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (disc brake)
Brake lever modelST-8150-L/RST-9250-L/RST-8170-L/RST-9270-L/R
Buttons3333
Servo Wave TechnologyYesYesYesYes
Coin battery1x CR16321x CR16321x CR16321x CR1632
Di2 ports3322
Brake lever weight (pair)295g230g
(65g lighter)
391g350g
(41g lighter)
Brake lever price (USD)$428/pair$785/pair$910/pair$1,100/pair
Where to buyAmazon
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Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace 12-speed brake levers comparison

Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace rear derailleurs

Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace Di2 Rear Derailleurs
Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace Di2 rear derailleurs
ComparisonShimano Ultegra Di2Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
Rear derailleur modelRD-R8150RD-R9250
Max. cassette size34T34T
Shadow TechnologyYesYes
Rear derailleur weight262g217g
(47g lighter)
Rear derailleur price (USD)$410$815
Where to buyCompetitive Cyclist
Wiggle
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Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace 12-speed rear derailleurs comparison

The Ultegra and Dura-Ace rear derailleurs are the same except for the lighter materials used in the Dura-Ace derailleur parts, making it 47g lighter.

Both features use the Shimano Shadow Technology, first introduced in the 11-speed groupsets. With the Shadow Technology, the rear derailleur has a low profile design at the top gear position (smallest cog) for a quieter drivetrain.

The maximum cassette size for the rear derailleur is 34T.

More reading : Bicycle Drivetrain and Gearing Basics

Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace front derailleurs

Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace Di2 Front Derailleurs
Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace Di2 front derailleurs
ComparisonShimano Ultegra Di2Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
Front derailleur modelFD-R8150FD-R9250
Front derailleur weight138g95g
(43g lighter)
Front derailleur price (USD)$153$450
Where to buyCompetitive Cyclist
Wiggle
Competitive Cyclist
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Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace 12-speed front derailleurs comparison

The Ultegra and Dura-Ace front derailleurs have the same functionalities but differ in shape and weight.

Shimano has redesigned the 12-speed to be slimmer with a smaller frontal area (33% less than its predecessor), and hence lower weight than the 11-speed front derailleurs.

The Dura-Ace front derailleur is 43g lighter, with the difference in the screws and plate materials.

Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace cranksets

Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace Crankset
Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace cranksets

Shimano introduced the 160mm crankarm length with the 12-speed groupsets. Both Ultegra and Dura-Ace cranksets are available in five crankarm lengths;

  • 160mm
  • 165mm
  • 170mm
  • 172.5mm
  • 175mm

For chainrings, Shimano no longer offers the standard chainring size of 53/39T. There are two options for Ultegra and three for Dura-Ace.

Chainring sizeShimano Ultegra Di2Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
50/34TYesYes
52/36TYesYes
53/39Tnot availablenot available
54/40Tnot availableYes
Where to buyAmazon
Competitive Cyclist
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Competitive Cyclist
Shimano Ultegra and Dura-Ace chainring sizes comparison
More reading : How to Decide Between Compact vs Standard Crankset

Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace chains

The 12-speed Dura-Ace and Ultegra chains are the same Shimano 12-speed mountain bike chains. The XTR is renamed as Dura-Ace and XT as Ultegra.

The difference between Dura-Ace and Ultegra chains is the Sil-Tec coating and hollow pin design. Sil-Tec coating is where fluorine particles are embedded onto the surface to increase strength and durability.

  • Sil-Tec coating is applied on the Dura-Ace chain on the inner plates, outer plates, and rollers. There is no Sil-Tec coating on the Ultegra chain.
  • Hollow pin design is used on the Dura-Ace chain, making it 5g lighter, vs a solid pin design for the Ultegra chain.
ComparisonShimano Ultegra Di2Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
Chain modelCN-M8100CN-M9200
Links116, 126116, 126
Chain materialSteelSteel
Outer plates coatingGraySil-Tec
Inner plates coatingChromeSil-Tec
Rollers coatingNoneSil-Tec
Pins coatingChromeChrome
Pin designSolidHollow
Chain weight (116 links)254g249g
(5g lighter)
Chain price (USD)$46$69
Where to buyAmazon
Competitive Cyclist
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Competitive Cyclist
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Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace 12-speed chains comparison
More reading : When to Replace A Bike Chain?

Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace cassettes

Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace 12-speed Cassettes
Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace 12-speed cassettes

Shimano has streamlined the 12-speed Ultegra and Dura-Ace cassette sizes. Unlike previous generations, there are only two cassette sizes available;

  • 11-30T
  • 11-34T

The difference between Ultegra and Dura-Ace cassettes is the titanium materials on the Dura-Ace cogs;

  • 11-30T : 19, 21, 24, 27, 30T
  • 11-34T : 19, 21, 24, 27, 30, 34T

This helps to lower the weight of the Dura-Ace cassette, 68g (11-30T) and 92g (11-34T). The other cogs are made from steel.

ComparisonShimano UltegraShimano Dura-Ace
Cassette modelCS-R8100-12CS-R9200-12
Cassette weight difference68g lighter (11-30T)
92g lighter (11-34T)
TechnologyHyperglide+Hyperglide+
Cog materialSteelTitanium, steel
Spider materialAluminumAluminum
Cassette weight291g (11-30T)
345g (11-34T)
223g (11-30T)
253g (11-34T)
Cassette price (USD)$112$360
Where to buyAmazon
Competitive Cyclist
Wiggle
Amazon
Competitive Cyclist
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Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace 12-speed cassette comparison

Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace disc brake calipers

Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace Front Disc Brake Calipers
Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace front disc brake calipers
ComparisonShimano UltegraShimano Dura-Ace
Caliper modelBR-R8170-F/RBR-R9270-F/R
Front caliper weight120g100g
(20g lighter)
Rear caliper weight104g85g
(19g lighter)
Front caliper price (USD)$88$185
Rear caliper price (USD)$83$180
Where to buyAmazon
Competitive Cyclist
Amazon
Competitive Cyclist
Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace 12-speed brake calipers comparison

The difference between the Shimano Dura-Ace and Ultegra disc brake calipers is the weight and construction type.

The Dura-Ace calipers are 20g lighter due to their Mono-Body design, where the Dura-Ace caliper is machined from a single cold forged block to maximize stiffness and lower weight.

Both have the same design with a 10% wider brake pad clearance and easier access to the bleed port.

More reading : How to Fix Sticky A Disc Brake Caliper

Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace disc brake rotors

Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace Disc Brake Rotors
Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace disc brake rotors
ComparisonShimano UltegraShimano Dura-Ace
Rotor modelRT-CL800RT-CL900
ICE TechnologiesYesYes
ICE Freeza TechnologiesYesYes
Rotor weight (140mm)95g95g
Rotor weight (160mm)113g113g
Rotor price 140/160mm (USD)$61$86
Where to buyAmazon
Competitive Cyclist
Amazon
Competitive Cyclist
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Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace 12-speed rotors comparison

Shimano used the same brake rotors from their mountain bikes (RT-MT900, RT-MT800) when launching the Dura-Ace and Ultegra 12-speed groupsets in September 2021.

In June 2022, Shimano finally launched the new, redesigned brake rotors for Dura-Ace (RT-CL900) and Ultegra (RT-CL800).

Both rotors are available in 140mm and 160mm sizes. They’re made from the same material with a 3-layer design (stainless steel, aluminum, stainless steel), except the Dura-Ace rotors have black vs grey cooling fins for Ultegra.

More reading : Shimano Dura-Ace vs XTR Rotors Comparison

Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace disc brake pads

Shimano BP L05A-RF Resin Brake Pads
Shimano L05A-RF Brake Padsd

The Shimano Ultegra and Dura-Ace, disc brake calipers, come with the new L05A-RF resin brake pads with cooling fins. The fifth-generation resin brake pad has 50% better wear resistance than its predecessor, L03A.

The L05A and L03A are cross-compatible as they have the same shape and design. The difference lies in the resin materials.

More reading : 
Shimano L05A Brake Pad Alternatives
Resin vs Metal Disc Brake Pads Comparison

Shimano disc brake hoses

The Shimano Ultegra and Dura-Ace disc brakes use the same hose (SM-BH90-JK-SSR).

The brake hoses are available in two lengths, 1000mm (for front) and 1700mm (for rear).

Shimano Di2 battery

Shimano BT-DN300 Battery
Shimano BT-DN300 Battery

Shimano introduced a new battery (BT-DN300) for the 12-speed wireless groupsets.

There are three ports on the battery, with only two needed for a wireless setup. The third port will be used for a wired setup to connect the shifters via a junction box.

More reading : How to Check Shimano Di2 Battery Levels

Shimano Di2 Cables

Only two cables are needed for a semi-wireless setup of 12-speed Shimano groupsets,

  • Battery to front derailleur
  • Battery to rear derailleur

The cables are available from 150mm to 1000mm in 50mm increments and 200mm from 1000mm to 1600mm.

Alex Lee at Mr.Mamil

Alex Lee is the founder and editor-at-large of Mr. Mamil. Coming from a professional engineering background, he breaks down technical cycling nuances into an easy-to-understand and digestible format here.

He has been riding road bikes actively for the past 12 years and started racing competitively in the senior category during the summer recently.