The 6600 Ultegra shifters are not the 2010 edition. They were released in 2004. Ultegra 6700, which were the first shifters to have the cables routed underneath the bar tape - fully aero.
Thanks so much for publishing this comparison. I used to ride with 6600 shifters, but when one broke I replaced them with Campagnolo Athena (with the cable routed differently at the derailleur to adjust for the differences in cable pull) and haven't been happy the the ergonomics at all. I was going to replace them with the newer Ultegras, but after watching your video I realized that the larger size of the 6600 shifters, especially that extra area to rest your hands at the end, was what I loved so much about them. Back to externally routed cables (which I don't really like), but at least I'll have the ergonomics I prefer. Thanks!
My 6600s are great (2009 Look 566 - 10 years now), but the only issue is that they seem to snap my shifter cable at the metal end from time to time. User error is likely the problem, but it happened with the cable that came off the shelf. That has not happened in years, but I make sure to swap out the cable every one in a while just to be safe. I also like seeing the shifter mechanism because I clean, and lube easily.
Had Ultegra 6600 (6603), Tiagra 4700 and Ultegra 6800 and I would say that 6600 works best as we talking about smooth gear change, 4700 and 6800 are worse. I think I would change 6600 or Tiagra to 6800 only due to better brakes.
I went from Ultegra 6600 to DA 9000 and the improvements I liked the most about the shifters were adjustable reach and a shorter shift throw. But that's it. It wasn't smoother and the ergonomics on the hoods with the 6600 were better (skinnier). Especially if you put on Hudz hood covers where they have ergonomic grooves for your fingers. Adjustable reach does make a big difference though. I have small hands and reaching for the brakes in the drops was pretty hard even with compact handlebars. With adjustable reach, I can reach the brakes with traditional handlebars in the drops. That being said, the newer 11 speed generation shifters have problems with snapping cables. With ~6000mi on my 6600 shifter, my rear shift cable frayed, but didn't snap. However, some people have been reporting snapped cables on DA9000 and Ultegra 6800 shifters as early as ~3000mi. Though, internal cable routing looks great...External cable routing made life much more easier.
I really, really think it's the cable. I bought Canondale CAAD10 frameset (on a very nice clearance deal) and build the bike up myself. I'm using 105 5800 shifter, Front Derailleur DA9000, Rear Dr+cassette+chain 6800 level and it shift totally fine (after some tweaks in first few weeks especially front one which i set the cable entrance position wrong at the beginning). Another thing i notice is the plastic cable guide under bottom bracket have a lot of friction on mine, it even flex and move a little bit as the cable move! Currently it's fine after lube and tweak it's position but i may replace the cable guide with aluminium one later. Judging from that i heared your CAAD10 come with wrong side asymetric chain, i doubt people who assemble it know their stuff. I think it's worth to redo the cable carefully.
+cannondany The current one is the one that come with my 105 shifter. But i don't know (and don't think) it's the same cable as you got on your pre-built CAAD10 as my cable's coating doesn't wear out at all in any place. I think i read somewhere that Shimano have updated the cable many time during these years. (same as the Chain from HG-9000 to CN-900 to CN-901 for Dura-ace 11 speed chain). The cable on my bike does have noticeable friction on cable guide under bottom bracket though. I'll just use this cable for half a year then replace with Yokozuna Reaction cables (which i have very good impression with compared to any other stock cable) or the newest version of Dura-ace cable (which i heard that it is also good but less stiff housing is easier to install on tight turn on the bar.)
Great comparison: just to add, wonder what differences there are between 6700 vs 6800 outside of some aesthetics? My 2010 Cervelo RS came with Ultegra 6700 and it's bomb proof. Some guys will say that front mech is not very stiff (just like 6800 architectured design) or gearing at the middle cogs is a little too clumsy and not as fine tuned as 6500 9 speeds or latest 8000's beauty. I only had but great riding experiences and no headaches! To upgrade it and stretch My Money (Since I keep bike in like new condition) instead of going with a new gruppo, if God allows Me, just jump to carbon hops (Less rolling weight/speed gains) Chao!
I agree that carbon levers should be more fragile than aluminium But when I crashed in a crit, I went down on my side, and the aluminium pedal and carbon lever took the main impact. Both scraped, but both still work I did not expect the carbon lever to survive, but sanded down you cannot tell. But you can still see the scars on my leg... Anyway, I initially thought they might be fragile, but I do not think it should put you off
I was hoping to see the mounting method of the 6600 levers, perhaps you could address this and the differences? Excellent technical details otherwise. Thanks
I wish I had a time machine and could go back to 1991, and just live from there up to 2005 and just keep pressing the reset button! I hate hidden shift cables, aero bikes etc. Argggghhh!!!
Would it be possible to use the 6800 STI with a 6600 RD? In our country it is very difficult to look for 6600. I hope you can give your opinion on my question.
THE SHAPE OF THE HOODS look like boxing gloves to UFC fighting gloves in size difference :) l d really like to try the feel of the newer ones since l have the old ones that to me feel too big :( one day l ll upgrade the levers ....and maybe more :O
Why TF are you on youtube, dude? You basically admited knowing nothing about bikes. "Bad shifting? Buy new shifters, keep the old cables and housing. Wait, the shifting is the same? Bummer must be the bike".
One thing to consider is carbon levers are warmer to the touch! May seem like a no big deal but bike contact points are key to enjoy cycling! Cheers!
+Alvaro Duarte That's interesting.
The 6600 Ultegra shifters are not the 2010 edition. They were released in 2004. Ultegra 6700, which were the first shifters to have the cables routed underneath the bar tape - fully aero.
Thanks so much for publishing this comparison. I used to ride with 6600 shifters, but when one broke I replaced them with Campagnolo Athena (with the cable routed differently at the derailleur to adjust for the differences in cable pull) and haven't been happy the the ergonomics at all. I was going to replace them with the newer Ultegras, but after watching your video I realized that the larger size of the 6600 shifters, especially that extra area to rest your hands at the end, was what I loved so much about them. Back to externally routed cables (which I don't really like), but at least I'll have the ergonomics I prefer. Thanks!
My 6600s are great (2009 Look 566 - 10 years now), but the only issue is that they seem to snap my shifter cable at the metal end from time to time. User error is likely the problem, but it happened with the cable that came off the shelf. That has not happened in years, but I make sure to swap out the cable every one in a while just to be safe. I also like seeing the shifter mechanism because I clean, and lube easily.
Had Ultegra 6600 (6603), Tiagra 4700 and Ultegra 6800 and I would say that 6600 works best as we talking about smooth gear change, 4700 and 6800 are worse. I think I would change 6600 or Tiagra to 6800 only due to better brakes.
I went from Ultegra 6600 to DA 9000 and the improvements I liked the most about the shifters were adjustable reach and a shorter shift throw. But that's it. It wasn't smoother and the ergonomics on the hoods with the 6600 were better (skinnier). Especially if you put on Hudz hood covers where they have ergonomic grooves for your fingers. Adjustable reach does make a big difference though. I have small hands and reaching for the brakes in the drops was pretty hard even with compact handlebars. With adjustable reach, I can reach the brakes with traditional handlebars in the drops.
That being said, the newer 11 speed generation shifters have problems with snapping cables.
With ~6000mi on my 6600 shifter, my rear shift cable frayed, but didn't snap. However, some people have been reporting snapped cables on DA9000 and Ultegra 6800 shifters as early as ~3000mi.
Though, internal cable routing looks great...External cable routing made life much more easier.
+Yo-yo Thank for sharing that!
I really, really think it's the cable. I bought Canondale CAAD10 frameset (on a very nice clearance deal) and build the bike up myself.
I'm using 105 5800 shifter, Front Derailleur DA9000,
Rear Dr+cassette+chain 6800 level and it shift totally fine (after some tweaks in first few weeks especially front one which i set the cable entrance position wrong at the beginning).
Another thing i notice is the plastic cable guide under bottom bracket have a lot of friction on mine, it even flex and move a little bit as the cable move! Currently it's fine after lube and tweak it's position but i may replace the cable guide with aluminium one later.
Judging from that i heared your CAAD10 come with wrong side asymetric chain, i doubt people who assemble it know their stuff. I think it's worth to redo the cable carefully.
+Chavit Denninnart Nice to hear about your C-dale. The cable guide isn't the best, that's right. What cables are you using?
+cannondany The current one is the one that come with my 105 shifter. But i don't know (and don't think) it's the same cable as you got on your pre-built CAAD10 as my cable's coating doesn't wear out at all in any place. I think i read somewhere that Shimano have updated the cable many time during these years. (same as the Chain from HG-9000 to CN-900 to CN-901 for Dura-ace 11 speed chain). The cable on my bike does have noticeable friction on cable guide under bottom bracket though.
I'll just use this cable for half a year then replace with Yokozuna Reaction cables (which i have very good impression with compared to any other stock cable) or the newest version of Dura-ace cable (which i heard that it is also good but less stiff housing is easier to install on tight turn on the bar.)
6700 - That is the gear cables routed underneath the bar tape.
Great comparison: just to add, wonder what differences there are between 6700 vs 6800 outside of some aesthetics?
My 2010 Cervelo RS came with Ultegra 6700 and it's bomb proof.
Some guys will say that front mech is not very stiff (just like 6800 architectured design) or gearing at the middle cogs is a little too clumsy and not as fine tuned as 6500 9 speeds or latest 8000's beauty.
I only had but great riding experiences and no headaches!
To upgrade it and stretch My Money (Since I keep bike in like new condition) instead of going with a new gruppo, if God allows Me, just jump to carbon hops (Less rolling weight/speed gains) Chao!
Do you know if there is an option to buy plastic upper covers got ultegra 6600 shifters?
Thanks
I agree that carbon levers should be more fragile than aluminium
But when I crashed in a crit, I went down on my side, and the aluminium pedal and carbon lever took the main impact. Both scraped, but both still work
I did not expect the carbon lever to survive, but sanded down you cannot tell. But you can still see the scars on my leg...
Anyway, I initially thought they might be fragile, but I do not think it should put you off
I was hoping to see the mounting method of the 6600 levers, perhaps you could address this and the differences? Excellent technical details otherwise. Thanks
So Shimano 105 5800 is bad? Should I rather get Tiagra 4700 over 5800?
Were you a fan of the 6500 groupset? I managed to get lucky and buy the entire groupset for $20, but I've never used them before.
I still ride it and I love it.
I wish I had a time machine and could go back to 1991, and just live from there up to 2005 and just keep pressing the reset button! I hate hidden shift cables, aero bikes etc. Argggghhh!!!
6600: BETTER = cable routing is better, better shifting !! Shapes better as well 👌
Acabe de comprar los 6600 espero poder disfrutarlos
Would it be possible to use the 6800 STI with a 6600 RD? In our country it is very difficult to look for 6600. I hope you can give your opinion on my question.
THE SHAPE OF THE HOODS look like boxing gloves to UFC fighting gloves in size difference :) l d really like to try the feel of the newer ones since l have the old ones that to me feel too big :( one day l ll upgrade the levers ....and maybe more :O
can i use sti 6600 to my r8000 rd?
Ultegra 6600 Is 10v?
True I thought is is 9 speeds!
6500 is 9speed, 6600 is 10s
what you think shift better 6600 or 105 5800?
+mudathirg I swap up the new 5800 and 6800 with 6600 and it works better on my CAAD10. It's easier to adjust and and more precise.
Why TF are you on youtube, dude? You basically admited knowing nothing about bikes.
"Bad shifting? Buy new shifters, keep the old cables and housing. Wait, the shifting is the same? Bummer must be the bike".