12 Speed Road Cassette Comparison: Dura-Ace R9200 vs Ultegra R8100

One of the most common questions that cyclists ask is whether it is worth upgrading from an Ultegra cassette to a Dura-Ace cassette? The Dura-Ace cassette costs around 3 times more than the Ultegra version, which is a pretty big difference. Why is there such a big price difference?

Today I will compare the Dura-Ace R9200 12 speed cassette versus the Ultegra R8100 12 speed cassette. The cassette details can be found in the individual posts, as I will mainly be comparing the similarities and differences. If you like side by side comparisons, there are a lot more at this page.

Comparing the bigger 11-34T cassette instead of the 11-30T cassette.

Colour looks very different, due to the different materials and surface finishing used.

Dura-Ace cassette is on the right with some dark grey sprockets.

Construction is similar, as both use 2 spiders for 7 sprockets, while the other 5 sprockets are loose.

Ultegra CS-R8100 11-34T cassette weighs 341 grams. Heavier than the Dura-Ace and also the SRAM Force XG-1270 11-36T cassette.

Dura-Ace CS-R9200 11-34T cassette is much lighter at 256 grams. A whole 85 grams lighter.

Aluminium lock rings look similar, just with different laser engraving / pad printing.

The 11, 12, 13T sprockets are similar, but the larger sprockets are slightly different between the Dura-Ace and Ultegra versions.

On the Dura-Ace 14T sprocket (right), there is a groove cut into the sprocket to reduce a bit of weight.

Ultegra 14T sprocket is 12 grams.

The groove on the Dura-Ace 14T sprocket saves 2 grams.

The 12 speed B spacer is different. Dura-Ace uses the aluminium version on the right, while the Ultegra version uses a resin spacer.

Same for the 15T sprocket, the Dura-Ace version has a groove all around.

Ultegra 15T sprocket weighs 13 grams.

Dura-Ace version with groove is 1 gram lighter.

On the 11-34T cassette, there is no 16T sprocket. Instead, it is replaced by a 34T sprocket at the end to expand the gear range. Check out this post for a comparison between the 11-30T and 11-34T cassettes.

The 17-19T sprockets are riveted onto a small aluminium spider. The spider looks the same, but the sprockets are different!

The Dura-Ace version on the right has a titanium 19T sprocket that is riveted to the steel 17T sprocket, while both the sprockets on the Ultegra version are made of steel.

Ultegra 17-19T with both steel sprockets weigh 45 grams.

Dura-Ace version with a titanium 19T sprocket weighs 9 grams less.

Next, we move to the last spider on the cassette, where the 5 largest sprockets are riveted together. These 5 sprockets are 21-24-27-30-34T.

Dura-Ace uses titanium for its 6 largest sprockets, shown here are the 5 that are riveted together. Ultegra uses steel for all its sprockets.

Titanium sprockets have a smooth dark grey finish, compared to the sand blast satin nickel finish on the Ultegra sprockets.

Lots of rivets holding the 5 sprockets to the aluminium spider!

The Dura-Ace cassette spider on the right has a better looking surface finish, while the Ultegra version on the left looks rather unfinished.

If you look closely, the rivet head looks different! Dura-Ace uses rivets that are non-magnetic, which might be titanium, although it might also be stainless steel.

Ultegra cluster of 5 sprockets weigh 236 grams. This makes up the bulk of the Ultegra cassette weight (341 grams).

Dura-Ace cluster is much lighter at just 162 grams for the 5 largest sprockets! This is 74 grams lighter than the Ultegra cluster.

It is clear that most of the weight savings come from the cluster of 5 large sprockets, as this sub-unit alone accounts for 74 grams out of the total weight difference of 85 grams. This is possible due to the use of titanium sprockets, which are much lighter than steel sprockets.

Titanium has a density that is 4.5 kg/m3, compared to 7.8 kg/m3 for steel. If the material volume is the same, the titanium sprockets will weigh about 42% less than the steel sprockets. That is how the titanium sprockets enable big weight savings.

However, this comes as a cost, as titanium is much more expensive to procure and manufacture when compared to steel sprockets. This is part of the reason why the Dura-Ace cassette costs 3 times more than the Ultegra cassette, since half of the sprockets (6 out of 12) on the Dura-Ace cassette is made of titanium.

If you are looking for weight differences between the Dura-Ace and Ultegra groupset, the cassette contributes a big amount to it. Correspondingly, the cost difference is also big.

Is it worth paying more for the Dura-Ace cassette? Only if weight reduction is your priority. Otherwise, the Ultegra cassette would work just as well in terms of shifting performance and durability.

12 Speed Road Cassette and Chain Comparison: Ultegra R8100 vs Force XG-1270

Quick and simple side-by-side comparison between two different 12 speed cassettes. The Ultegra R8100 is the second-tier road cassette from Shimano, while the Force XG-1270 is also the second-tier road cassette from SRAM. Being at the same grade makes it a fairer comparison, although I think the SRAM cassette costs more than the Shimano cassette.

For detailed information on each of the cassettes, check out their individual pages through the links above!

SRAM 10-36T cassette on the left, with the largest sprocket in black, and others in nickel chrome. 

Shimano 11-34T cassette on the right, with sand blast finish on all the sprockets. Looks very different!

SRAM cassette uses a pinned construction to link all the 12 sprockets together, while the Shimano cassette uses aluminium spiders and loose sprockets.

One way to check if the cassettes are cross compatible is to check the spacing between the sprockets. If they are similar, at least we know that the rear derailleur can shift the chain across the sprockets consistently.

Of course, there are other factors such as the sprocket thickness, teeth profile, the type of chain, the rear derailleur exact movements, but if the spacing don't match, no point checking all the others.

Spacing between sprockets on the Shimano cassette is about 1.8 mm.

Similar 1.8 mm spacing on the SRAM cassette as well. 

With a similar spacing between the sprockets, it might be possible to swap a Shimano cassette for a SRAM cassette, or vice versa. Only by testing it out on the actual bike would it be possible to know how well it works.

SRAM cassette is lightweight at 310 grams, for a relatively large 10-36T gear combination.

Shimano cassette is heavier at 341 grams. But I think it is cheaper as well.

The 12 speed chains are also different. SRAM has its own AXS Flattop 12 speed chain, which has larger rollers that makes it incompatible to many cassettes and chain rings. I made a detailed comparison and study of the Flattop chain, you can check out the measurements in the other post.

Comparison between a Shimano 11 speed (not 12 speed) and the SRAM AXS Flattop 12 speed chain.

One thing I wanted to test was whether I can use a Shimano 12 speed chain on the SRAM 12 speed cassette. If that is possible, I can theoretically widen the gear range of a Shimano 12 speed road drivetrain from 11-34T (max) to 10-36T, which is a big increase from 309% to 360%.

Seems that the Shimano CN-M9100 12 speed chain can rest nicely on the SRAM 12 speed cassette!

Side by side comparison of the 12 speed chains.

Another view of the chains. Different plate shapes, plate thickness, roller sizes, etc.

I didn't do any deeper comparison of the cassettes and chains, as I didn't see anything else worth comparing. Check out the individual posts for details on each of the components.

Bestrider Pump Pro 20: Comparison with Bestrider Pump Pro 16

With the Bestrider Pump Pro 20 fully assembled, I can compare it with the Bestrider Pump Pro 16. This is the smaller version of the kids bike that I previously assembled. Now that my kid has outgrown the 16 inch bike, it is time to start the transition over to the 20 inch version.

Since I have both bikes around, it is a good chance to do a side by side comparison to see the differences.

Both use Tektro short reach brake levers, but the 16 inch version has a shorter lever.

Another view of the brake levers. I like that the lever length is proportionate to the handlebar width and hand size of the rider.

The brake lever bracket seems to be the same, just with a different lever length.

The 16 inch bike has a unique 3 speed internal hub drivetrain, and a Revoshifter.

Bright red versus rich blue frame colours!

16 inch 305 wheel, versus 20 inch 406 wheel.

Front view of the bikes. Both use V brake systems.

Big difference in handlebar height!

Frame shape and design is similar, just with a different size and standover height.

Both are using the excellent SDG Fly Junior saddles, with the not-quite matching blue and red colours.

With the bottom brackets aligned as the datum, can see that the front-centre length of the 20 inch bike is much longer.

Chain stay length of the 20 inch bike is also longer, at 330 mm vs 273 mm.

Comparing the drivetrains. 3 speed internal hub vs 10 speed cassette.

Head to head comparison. Big brother and little brother!

Both have tires that are relatively smooth, but wide to ensure it doesn't fall into small cracks in the ground. 20 inch tire is 40 mm wide, while the 16 inch tire is 36 mm wide.

I have since sold the Bestrider Pump Pro 16 kids bike, since it is no longer needed. I managed to get a good price for the bike, since it has a unique set up, with a one-of-a-kind 3 speed drivetrain for a 16 inch kids bike.

The 1x10 speed drivetrain on the Bestrider Pump Pro 20 is easily replicable, since the components are easy to install, unlike the 3 speed internal hub which required some technical knowledge.

Bestrider Pump Pro 20: Assembly Part 3

Here is the final part of the Bestrider Pump Pro 20 kids bike assembly! All the components that I wanted to upgrade has already been installed successfully.

Toseek carbon handlebar, cut down to a width of 520 mm.

Using the stock Tektro brake levers, but with a shorter 95 mm lock on grip.

Using the Deore XT Trekking SL-T780 10 speed shifters, with a light shifting action.

Stock 35 mm aluminium stem with oversized 31.8 mm clamp diameter is used

Sweet looking 1x10 speed drivetrain!

Using the stock crankset and chain ring, with colourful chain ring bolts. Super smooth spinning Early Rider pedals are used here.

Changed to Shimano SM-BBR60 bottom bracket.

Left crank arm looks exactly like the Shimano design, except for the crank arm fixing bolt.

Shimano Zee RD-M640 super short cage 10 speed rear derailleur with clutch.

Shimano Deore XT 10 speed cassette 11-36T CS-M771-10.

Stock Tektro V brake calipers, but changed to polymer coated brake inner cables for lower friction. Check out this post for more details on the Continental tires!

Chain at the top gear, on the smallest 11T sprocket.

Rear derailleur cage still has quite a bit of capacity, seems that the chain could have been longer.

Chain at the lowest gear position, on the largest 36T sprocket.

Cage looks rather stretched, could have added a couple more links.

Full bike view from the non-drive side

Stock kickstand, and using lightweight quick release axles.

Full bike view from the drive side. Looks really good!

Complete bike specifications and weight. 7.4 kg without pedals and kickstand!

Actual weight of 7.8 kg with pedals and kickstand matches the calculations.

Bringing the Bestrider Pump Pro 20 kids bike out for a test ride!

I'm happy with the weight of the bike, at 7.8 kg with pedals included, and a 1x10 speed drivetrain. There are many single speed kids bikes that weigh more than this, so this bike is really lightweight.

There were no complications with the modifications of this bike, as the bike frame has standard specifications, while all the components used are pretty standard.