Shimano 105 FD-5503-B/F

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
Marinoni Ciclo, full 105 group except Deore XT rear derailleur and cassette.

Summary:
Buy it as part of a new bike set-up, but replace it with Ultegra when it wears out.

In about 3 years and 10,000 km I have experienced problems with the pivot pins (also known as swing pins?) which attach the derailleur cage to the housing on the clamp (or braze-on):
- they get stiff quite quickly because they are not at all sealed from dirt and water; this makes shifting harder and less accurate. The good news is at least you can disassemble and clean them.

- the pivot pins bend, which also throws the whole derailleur out of alignment.

And to make matters worse, Shimano does not sell replacement pivot pins.

Strengths:
Cheaper than Ultegra.

Fairly easy set - up.

Weaknesses:
Pivot pins are prone to seizing up due to water and dirt.

Pivot pins bend.

No replacement parts sold.

Price Paid:  $19.00 at Performance

Bike Setup:
Giant OCR1

Summary:
105 triple derailleur isn't so great but it can be found a lot cheaper than ultegra. Basically, i learned that if you're having problems adjusting the derailleur after some time, it's likely something is wrong with it even if you can't visibly tell. In my case, I had major problems shifting and chain rub after 8k and tried to no avail in getting the derailleur to shift or position any better. After hearing about how the derailleur may just have gone bad (could not see any visible signs), I finally threw in the towel and bought a new 105 derailleur (the ugly new black style, ick!) and what do you know, it worked perfectly with minimal fuss. I got my 105 new for something like $19 online and you aren't going to find an ultegra for that price.

Strengths:
Cheap

Weaknesses:
Wont last you long but more than adequate for recreationalist who only ride infrequently.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Lousiville Cyclery

Favorite Ride:
smooth

Bike Setup:
Bianchi Imola 2003 stock starting to upgrade to Ultegra

Summary:
The Shimano 105 front derailleur is simply a waste of time and money. Mine came stock on a Bianchi Imola 2003. It broke in less than one year, less than 2000 miles. Did not ride it that hard, no spills.

Replaced with Ultegra which has been more durable and no complaints.

The 105 FD is false economy. When starting into better bikes you would not know about quality differences. If you are buying a bike in the $1000-$1500 range and it comes with the 105 FD, immediately upgrade to at least the Ultegra FD. It's simply pay me now or pay me later.

Strengths:
None.

Weaknesses:
Not durable
False economy

Similar Products Used:
Ultegra FD

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
cannondale R900 105/ultegra

Summary:
good for the price, but for more serious riders they should look to upgrading to ultegra or dura-ace

Strengths:
price

Weaknesses:
hard to adjust properly which makes for a noisy ride and slower shifting

Favorite Ride:
Mountain roads

Bike Setup:
Merida 907 stock - Shimano 100-105/Mavic 23

Summary:
Competition in Western Norway contain serious climbing. "Low" gear in front give an opportunity to sit whatever condition of fatigue You are in, and eliminates the need for changing rear cassettes to fit the course. 105 excellently handles the shifting. The third gear is better value than changing the rear from 8 to 9 casette.

Strengths:
Allow for 3 rings which is an advantadge for serious hillclimbing. Inexpensive but smoth operation

Weaknesses:
Noisy as it is tricky to adjust properly

Similar Products Used:
1994-RSX300