Shimano Ultegra R8170 - £2,476.75 | 2.716g

A second-tier groupset that's made a play for the top

- Sam Gupta

Launched at the same time in 2021 as Shimano's top-tier Dura-Ace R9200, Ultegra R8100 shares a lot of the same features. Like its more expensive brethren, the new Ultegra is 12-speed, semi-wireless (disc brake only version) and makes significant improvements in the braking department. It is also available in a rim brake configuration. Either way it means the new Ultegra is no longer offered with mechanical shifting.

Shimano's second-tier groupset has often been found on the bikes of serious amateurs and budding racers, but does this new iteration still cater for that crowd? And as the new R8100 is so closely aligned with the top-tier DuraAce but for two thirds of the cost, does it call into question the merits of the more expensive option?

Shifters

I was always a fan of the small hoods on the outgoing R8000 series. I liked the aesthetics of them; without looking at the wheels you could mistake them for rim brake shifters and as someone with small hands I was slightly apprehensive about the size of these new, and much larger, hoods. However, once I had adjusted the lever reach, done by a 2mm Allen head behind the top of the lever, they felt incredibly comfortable. On many occasions I found myself cupping the top of the hoods and staying in a more aero position because it was just very comfy to do so. The shift buttons on top of the reservoirs were easy to operate when powering along the flat as it meant my hands didn't have to move while I fine-tuned my gearing to match the terrain. The larger shift paddles were also a welcome change; shifting in gloves was much easier compared to the R8000s and even in the throes of a town sign sprint I could rely on the fact that I wasn't going to hit the wrong button and scupper my chances of outgunning my friends.

Chainset