Bicycle Mechanics - Uprading from Sora

I am interested in upgrading from my stock Sora components on my commuter (Trek 1000), mainly because I would like to be able to shift while I am in the dropped position…and I would like better brakes. Money is a concern especially since I am guessing that I will need to upgrade to a 9sp, so that would add a front crank, rear hub….ect. And I don’t really want to invest more than what my 2003 Trek 1000 is worth.


Is there a viable 8sp upgrade for shifter/brake lever & brakes? Or would I have to do the 9 sp upgrade? I am only familiar with Shimano, so I don’t know what the other companies offer.

Ask iamtim about this - he recently upgraded his Trek 1000 to all Tiagra components. I am in the process of upgrading my all my Tiagra components to 105 (9-speed), and there are good deals to be found right now on 9-speed 105 stuff because they discontinued it.

You can get by by just getting a right brifter and a 9 speed cassette with a 9 speed chain. 105 parts are going for a fairly reasonable price right now, especially the black finish bits.

You bike is worth as much as you want out of it.

Dan is right. You don't need a new crank or rear hub. 8-speed freehubs are the same width as 9- and 10-speed.

It's true that you really only need the rear (right-side) brifter, but it's hard to get them except in pairs, so you may as well buy the 9-speed set of Tiagra or 105.

shifters, front der., cassete, 9 speed chain. If found that the sora FD didn't work well with the 105 ****ers and it is a cheap part, really. tiagra brakes are great. The sora crank will work fine.

You may be able to find NOS 8 speed brifters but I wouldn't bother. The 105 9 speed stuff can be had for reasonable prices and will likely be sevicable longer.

You can get by by just getting a right brifter and a 9 speed cassette with a 9 speed chain. 105 parts are going for a fairly reasonable price right now, especially the black finish bits.

You bike is worth as much as you want out of it.


So to upgrade to Tiarga or 105 i would need new:
Shifters/Brake Levers
Front & Rear Derailers
9sp chain
9sp cassette
And a new bottom braket?

But no crank or a front & rear hub?

I upgraded a C-Dale from Sora to 105 and the 9 speed stuff worked great. I'm also riding Ultergra and Dura Ace, but find that I actually like the brake lever/hoods with the 105 better... fits my reach better for some reason. DieselDan is right, the stuff is a bargin right now.

You do not need a new crank, bottom bracket or hubs (unless you want them). I don't think that you actually need the RD, either. The number of speeds is controlled by the shifters and cassette.

The big money's in the shifter. Once you get that a cassette, chain and (maybe) a front derailleur will 9-speed you.

If you just want to shift from the drops go to bar end shifters. I have sora drs on my Trek 500 and like the bar ends. I am running triple chainring and seven speed cassette.

I forgot the about barend shifters. Much more economical then new brifters, and you could just use your current Sora brifters as brake levers.