Elite Aria Ultegra/105 STI

Advantages: Lightweight comfortable fast great handling
Disadvantages: none

...is worth buying over the standard Elite as it has high quality Shimano R560 wheels and 105 brakes, which have been highly acclaimed in recent tests. The gear shifts are fantastically smooth with 105 handles at the front and Ultegra at the rear. As you would expect, the carbon fibre frame is feather light and performs brilliantly. I am working my way up in terms of ride duration but feel pretty confident that the Roubaix will match me every step of the way, no matter how far or high steep I try to ride.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great Price, Great Components, Super Reliability
Disadvantages: None whatsoever

...Racelite 700x23c DRIVETRAIN SHIFTERS: Shimano Ultegra STI for Flight Control FRONT DERAILLEUR : Shimano Ultegra REAR DERAILLEUR : Shimano Ultegra CRANKSET : Shimano Ultegra 53a/39a CASSETTE : Shimano 12-25 10spd PEDALS : N/A COMPONENTS SADDLE : Bontrager Race SEATPOST : Bontrager Carbon HANDLEBARS : Bontrager Select OS STEM : Bontrager Select OS/7d HEADSET : VP01-ACG Semi-intg1 1/8" sealed BREAKSET : Shimano Ultegra/Shimano Ultegra STI Leavers... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Top of the range "bling" rear mech
Disadvantages: 9 speed "only", superceeded by RD-7800 10-speed version

..., the Shimano instructions are very simple to follow, although as with all jobs of this type a basic knowledge of bicycle maintenace is required. It's a beautifully made item, with lots of cold-forged, anodized aluminum giving the mech a "jewellery" look (in my opinion, better looking than the new 10-speed version) and has so far always shifted faultlessly with 105 STI levers. Mine is the "SS" version, with the short cage, although a longer cage version is (was?) also available to work with wider range rear cassette sprockets, or a triple/compact chainset - this "GS" version has a total capacity of 38 teeth. Clearly, this will be a little heavier than this version... Looking at ChainReactionCycles.com today (April 7, 2006), it's available at £49.99, saving 23% off the RRP of £64.95, so pick up a bargain... Overall, a top of the range mech, well... Read review

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