Shimano 105 5800 Groupset Unboxing and Insight

Shimano 105 5800 Groupset Unboxing - Brakes, Front and Rear Derailleurs, Crankset, BB, Cassette, Shifter Levels

Purchased from Merlin Cycles - Shipped to US for $328, heck of a deal.

*New gear ratio is 52-36 (I misspoke)

Send me a message if you have questions!

[csr]

Wow. Could you be ANY more negative about the whole thing? It's a pretty awesome groupset for the price, why do you sound disappointed when you say that the Ultegra part is higher quality? Of course it is, it's more expensive, that's the whole point of having different price ranges, see?

[mikes]

the 105 levers are metal, not carbon fiber (only ultegra and dura ace are carbon). the new front derailleur is much easier to use than previous generations because of the longer arm and smoother polymer cables... but wasnt designed specifically for the jump from 52-36... that jump is 16 teeth which is the same as 50-34 which was around before the new FD design. also the shimano 11 sp brakes are much improved (dual pivot instead of single pivot) and many people (including myself) consider them more powerful than SRAM. nevertheless, very thorough video.

[tiborpolos]

The 105 RD-5800 GS is a faulty design. The cable does not stay in line between the sleeve and the grove up behind the fixing bolt. Vertically yes but horizontally not. Surprisingly, there is a sharp angle. When the chain is on the bigger sprockets and the cable tension is higher, the cable exerts a groove in the wall of the tip of the cable end cap in the barrel adjuster as well as in the sleeve and will sit in these groves thus requiring an extra force to get it moved, especially at the bigger sprockets. It might shift more or less well with 12-25 and 11-28 cassettes but will not with 11-32 cassettes as the 32 teeth sprocket will effect in an even higher cable tension, which will consequently effect in an even deeper groove. When you shift from to smaller sprockets to the bigger ones you employ the force of your thumbs, the power of which will override this extra drag but when shifting from the larger sprockets to the smaller ones, the force of the spring in the shifter will not tackle with the task well enough and it will be hesitant to shift first and finally it will not shift at all. No matter what you do with your cabling and derailleur hanger alignment. They can be 100% perfect, while there is this sharp angle in the shifter itself hindering the drag free movement of the cable.

[AmericanJamesGerman]

So this doesn't really have anything to do with Bryan's review here. In fact it's a great buy...well done!
It's no secret these parts are coming from the UK so cheaply as they are "gray-market". There is plenty of information if you google gray market bike parts if you're not familiar and you'll also find a lot of hostility towards this practice.
Personally, I too purchased a Di2 groupset from Merlin recently and about to build a bike with it. I initially felt bad about scouring the internet for the best deal and bypassing my LBS and so I decided to try my LBS first. I figured this is good for them, community, and their standing with Shimano if they are ordering a high end gruppo to build a bike with. Very sadly, this was not the case. I tried working with 2 different bike shops to get Di2 through them and after explaining what I was in the market for (Ultegra Di2, 36-52) both places said they would get in touch with Shimano and then back to me with a quote. I'm not sure where to put the blame - on Shimano not getting back to them or the LBS not diligently reaching out to them - but after waiting I never received any response. So, here I was WANTING to get parts through a LBS and give them the business that they are there to provide and all I received was a "we will get back to you". Merlin on the other hand responded to all my inquiries regarding components available, options, parts included, etc. within one day or less. In addition the price I paid through Merlin was hundreds of $$$ cheaper, no tax, and it was delivered to me (east coast USA) in less than 2 days with the shipping that was included. Like Bryan, I also did not have to pay any import tax.
This is unfortunate because here I was, totally ready to get all the additional parts I needed through a LBS (which I thought would be happy to work with me) and an online retailer on another continent ended up coming through for me in the end. 
Will I still support a LBS? Of course I will - at the end of the day the Internet can't fix a bike for you. Also, many shops are able to provide great local advice on rides, etc.

Has anyone else experienced a situation like this? Any questions, feel free to give me a shout!

Completing the build this weekend...
- 2015 CAAD10 frameset
- Ultegra 6870 Di2
- Ultegra 6800 wheelset

[sross]

Shimano 105. Mainstay gruppo! I used to use it on my italian race bike 20 years ago. I used the 25 year old 105 dual-pivot SLR brake calipers on my S works Tarmac over the past year, then I stuck on some Sram red calipers. I swear the old calipers worked slightly bettern feel better than the chi chi Red ones.

[lucianonarno]

If you can, switch the FD to a Dura Ace one, the change in shifting quality is incredible. Good video, try to sound a bit more positive. It sounded like you were sad, man I would be so happy getting a 105 gruppo, I'm currently on a mix of old 105/Sora.

[SurpriseMeJT]

I stopped when you talked about the brakes but didn't mention that the new style mechanism and increased material as a result - and increased braking performance contributes to the weight gain.

[ChuiStrong]

The front derailleur doesn't really improve upon a mid compact ratio (52-36). I've been running a mid compact ratio on the older 10 speed front derailleurs without any problems. In fact, I commonly swapped standard and mid compacts with those derailleurs. The redesign on the front derailleur implements a different trim function and better shifting action.


And yes, some people have already stated that the levers are alloy not carbon.

[bearsrule]

I didn't think you sounded negative.  I actually appreciate that you're not all "salesy!"  I think John wants an infomercial.  jj :-)

[neilhunter]

why has nobody mentioned that the video is fucked up and frozen?

[DamirSpanic]

Nice edit, great sound, love the video. Useful for me, as I am looking to upgrade to 105 (?) from Sora in the future. Would like to hear some performance thoughts?

[vmoped]

slightly heavier than the last shimano group set? hmm, must be all those added parts to accommodate the nonsense 11 speeds.

[WarmProp]

I'm thinking about getting this groupset for an old bike. I noticed you have a pair of Kryriums in the back - did you use them for the build? Did the 10-speed freewheel fit the 11-speed cassette fine?

[Luis]

What is the shipping weight? Could you make a video about the installation of groupset? Regards,

[beckwoody]

What's the difference between 53/39 (which has been around for years) and 52/38? Same difference.

[Luis]

What do you think about buying a chinese F8 frameset with shimano 105 group? just under 1000$.

[fredtorresp]

Hi There, I had an accident with my bike which I came with a 105 group set when I bought it, my left dual lever doesn't shift anymore and I was told it has no way of fixing it, I checked at rei and only 105 levers are 300 dollars, why is it so cheap to buy at this web site I'm a little confused I don't want to buy fake parts and apparently it is more convenient to just go ahead and get the hole group set brand new.

[TommyBrun]

The ekstra weight on the brakes probably comes from the fact that they will fit over 28c tyres, and that they have a symetrical closing movement.
And the STI levers are not Carbon, they are Aluminium.

[fernandofonseca]

Hi good video. Please, what is the total weight of this box?? Thank you in advance.

[alkozo]

Hi bryan! First i would like to thank you for making this review. It really helped me a lot!! I didnt even know the levers were in carbon. I want to install the drive train of 105 5800. I have an oldtimer bike and i was wondering if it matters if i have an old crank, or do i have to install a 105 11spd crankset?