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.
| Comparison | Shimano Ultegra Di2 | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 |
|---|---|---|
| Groupset series | R8100 | R9200 |
| Speed | 12 | 12 |
| Launched | August 2021 | August 2021 |
| Rim brake | Yes | Yes |
| Disc brake | Yes | Yes |
| Semi-wireless shifting | Yes | Yes |
| Power meter crankset | Yes | Yes |
| Groupset weight | 2,338g | 2,076g (262g lighter) |
| Price range (USD) | $2,400 to $2,500 | $4,200 to $4,500 |
Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace brake levers and shifters
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
| Comparison | Shimano Ultegra Di2 (rim brake) | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (rim brake) | Shimano Ultegra Di2 (disc brake) | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (disc brake) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brake lever model | ST-8150-L/R | ST-9250-L/R | ST-8170-L/R | ST-9270-L/R |
| Buttons | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Servo Wave Technology | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Coin battery | 1x CR1632 | 1x CR1632 | 1x CR1632 | 1x CR1632 |
| Di2 ports | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Brake lever weight (pair) | 295g | 230g (65g lighter) | 391g | 350g (41g lighter) |
| Brake lever price (USD) | $428/pair | $785/pair | $910/pair | $1,100/pair |
| Where to buy | Amazon Competitive Cyclist | Amazon Competitive Cyclist Wiggle | Amazon Competitive Cyclist Wiggle |
Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace rear derailleurs
| Comparison | Shimano Ultegra Di2 | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 |
|---|---|---|
| Rear derailleur model | RD-R8150 | RD-R9250 |
| Max. cassette size | 34T | 34T |
| Shadow Technology | Yes | Yes |
| Rear derailleur weight | 262g | 217g (47g lighter) |
| Rear derailleur price (USD) | $410 | $815 |
| Where to buy | Competitive Cyclist Wiggle | Amazon Competitive Cyclist Wiggle |
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
| Comparison | Shimano Ultegra Di2 | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 |
|---|---|---|
| Front derailleur model | FD-R8150 | FD-R9250 |
| Front derailleur weight | 138g | 95g (43g lighter) |
| Front derailleur price (USD) | $153 | $450 |
| Where to buy | Competitive Cyclist Wiggle | Competitive Cyclist Wiggle |
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 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 size | Shimano Ultegra Di2 | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 |
|---|---|---|
| 50/34T | Yes | Yes |
| 52/36T | Yes | Yes |
| 53/39T | not available | not available |
| 54/40T | not available | Yes |
| Where to buy | Amazon Competitive Cyclist | Amazon Competitive Cyclist |
More reading : How to Decide Between Compact vs Standard Crankset
Groupsets comparison
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.
| Comparison | Shimano Ultegra Di2 | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 |
|---|---|---|
| Chain model | CN-M8100 | CN-M9200 |
| Links | 116, 126 | 116, 126 |
| Chain material | Steel | Steel |
| Outer plates coating | Gray | Sil-Tec |
| Inner plates coating | Chrome | Sil-Tec |
| Rollers coating | None | Sil-Tec |
| Pins coating | Chrome | Chrome |
| Pin design | Solid | Hollow |
| Chain weight (116 links) | 254g | 249g (5g lighter) |
| Chain price (USD) | $46 | $69 |
| Where to buy | Amazon Competitive Cyclist Wiggle | Competitive Cyclist Wiggle |
More reading : When to Replace A Bike Chain?
Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace 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.
| Comparison | Shimano Ultegra | Shimano Dura-Ace |
|---|---|---|
| Cassette model | CS-R8100-12 | CS-R9200-12 |
| Cassette weight difference | 68g lighter (11-30T) 92g lighter (11-34T) | |
| Technology | Hyperglide+ | Hyperglide+ |
| Cog material | Steel | Titanium, steel |
| Spider material | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Cassette weight | 291g (11-30T) 345g (11-34T) | 223g (11-30T) 253g (11-34T) |
| Cassette price (USD) | $112 | $360 |
| Where to buy | Amazon Competitive Cyclist Wiggle | Amazon Competitive Cyclist Wiggle |
Shimano Ultegra vs Dura-Ace disc brake calipers
| Comparison | Shimano Ultegra | Shimano Dura-Ace |
|---|---|---|
| Caliper model | BR-R8170-F/R | BR-R9270-F/R |
| Front caliper weight | 120g | 100g (20g lighter) |
| Rear caliper weight | 104g | 85g (19g lighter) |
| Front caliper price (USD) | $88 | $185 |
| Rear caliper price (USD) | $83 | $180 |
| Where to buy | Amazon Competitive Cyclist | Amazon Competitive Cyclist |
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
| Comparison | Shimano Ultegra | Shimano Dura-Ace |
|---|---|---|
| Rotor model | RT-CL800 | RT-CL900 |
| ICE Technologies | Yes | Yes |
| ICE Freeza Technologies | Yes | Yes |
| Rotor weight (140mm) | 95g | 95g |
| Rotor weight (160mm) | 113g | 113g |
| Rotor price 140/160mm (USD) | $61 | $86 |
| Where to buy | Amazon Competitive Cyclist | Amazon Competitive Cyclist Wiggle |
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
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 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 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.