I'm looking for a new/(or used relatively in good shape) road bike for my wife.
She is 5'4" and probably fit somewhere in a 48cm.
I've been looking at several LBS and found that most entry bikes come with either Sora or Tiagra compo and most of them are in triple cranks.
And if I ask for double or higher level up (i.e. 105group) the price will go up to $1000+ or ++. I might be okay for that price but my wife seems to think that is over her head at this time. (She is a beginner and I just got her involve with cycling)
However, what I'm afraid is that the Sora /or similar entry level group will not serve well over time (within few years) or worst yet give more trouble in maintience/repairs.
I also read the posting by Indolent on "Tracie's bike" and agreed that most sora's bike are heavier than I would like for her to start out with.
Although she is ultimately the one who is riding the bike, I want to help her make the right decision to make a purchase that will give her the best overall experience on road biking.
I would appreciate if anyone can share their experience with their 1st bike for themselves or spouse. And what has been the experience with their bike/components (if its happen to be Sora or Tiagra please do tell me more)? Much appreciate.
thomson
09-03-07, 05:15 PM
I have a bike that started with Tiagra, the Bianchi Volpe. I wore through the levers after 10,000 miles or so but I am really hard on shifters. I replaced them with 105's that I saw on sale at Nashbar and they have been solid since.
The Tiagra's are really easy to upgrade over time if necessary. The Sora, if I recall correctly, is an 8 speed system and you will have to replace broken components with Sora. For that reason alone, I would go with Tiagra.
Both groups are fine and would provide many years of service for your wife.
Indolent58
09-03-07, 05:41 PM
The best way to minimize the investment in a "1st" road bike is to buy used. Actually Tracie's bike (a Giant OCR3) has Sora components but it is not all that heavy considering the price point. I would have preferred to go a level or two up, but like your wife, Tracie didn't want to spend much on what was at the time an experiment.
I agree with Thompson that a Tiagra bike would be easier to upgrade. BTW a triple on a first road bike is a good thing unless you are in a really flat area.
ovoleg
09-03-07, 05:48 PM
check out one of the sora vs tiagra thread
type in sora & Tiagra in the search function. 30+ page threads
ronjon10
09-03-07, 05:50 PM
BTW a triple on a first road bike is a good thing unless you are in a really flat area.
We're in SoCal, a triple on any bike isn't a bad thing. You never know when someone is going to call for the climbing ride with 50 miles of elevation gain finished with a 3 mile 20% climb.
thomson
09-03-07, 05:57 PM
We're in SoCal, a triple on any bike isn't a bad thing. You never know when someone is going to call for the climbing ride with 50 miles of elevation gain finished with a 3 mile 20% climb.
I need to pick up my training!!
PlanetU
09-03-07, 07:22 PM
I agree about buying a used bike... You're likely to get a way better bike, with better components for the same amount of money!
MacManDude
09-03-07, 07:28 PM
I agree about buying a used bike... You're likely to get a way better bike, with better components for the same amount of money!
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/bik/
Wkend_Warrior
09-03-07, 07:32 PM
Thank you very much for all the great inputs and suggestions.
I am seriously considering a used one and hopefully I can come to some sort of compromise with my wife:)
(Regards to the pricing)
Again. Thank you
ronjon10
09-03-07, 07:46 PM
The 2008 Sora line has been revamped as is now a 9 speed setup, so the upgrades shouldn't be too difficult now.
Consider the type of rides you expect to be doing and the timeline. Going used will get you a better bike for the price, but it's not a good time right now. I've been looking for a 48cm WSD bike for a friend of mine for a month and haven't seen anything locally. Even the craiglist link has a post about wanting a 48cm bike.
If you're doing mostly flat rides, the weight of the bike won't be much of a concern.
Just my .02. Good luck on the search!
efficiency
09-03-07, 08:41 PM
I have a bike that started with Tiagra, the Bianchi Volpe.
How do you like that Volpe? I'm looking at that or the Surly Cross Check as a Cyclocross/Touring bike.
thomson
09-03-07, 08:59 PM
I love the Volpe. I have used it for double centuries, off road, commuting, multi day tours, shopping, etc. It is the bike I usually use when it is raining.
It is not the best bike for any of those activities, but it is the best (I have) for all of them. If I had just one bike, it would be the Volpe.
I have a hub generator on the front for lights and a rack on the back.
I have not compared it to any other cross bikes so can't really provide any input as to why it is better or worse than others in the same class. If I were buying today I would also look at the Bianchi Castro Valley as it already has the generator and fenders. It does have a flat handle bar though so that may be an issue.
I have never heard anybody say anything wrong with the Surly's.
nesdog
09-03-07, 09:49 PM
My wife has a Giant OCR3, Sora group, etc. It's a great bike for her. And she likes the thumb shifting more than my Tiagra on my OCR2.
Sheldon
jsigone
09-03-07, 09:52 PM
main downside to sora is shiftin up from the drops. Other then that they perform well, I have over 7k miles on my 8speed sora shifters. If I were to do it again, I'd pony up the few hundred more and get the 105's
DScott
09-03-07, 11:48 PM
I rode quite a few miles on a Trek 1200 with Tiagra shifters, and other similar quality bits. It was great- worked very well and was always better than I was. It's be a good bike to start with. I'd say go for it!
spindrifter
09-04-07, 09:43 AM
If she's a beginner, who cares about the deraileurs? I mean she's probably gonna use what, MAYBE
2 gears? By the time they wear out, you'll probably get a new bike anyway.
Luwin1026
09-04-07, 10:01 AM
I had Tiagra on my first bike (Specialized Allez Sport) with the exception of the rear derailleur (105) - worked flawlessly and as I've never had experience with DuraAce or Ultegra for that matter, didn't know what I was missing out on, etc. -for a person's first bike, going with Tiagra/105 would be sufficient as they would want to upgrade if they get into the sport more! I chose the Tiagra-equipped bike over the Sora one as the difference was only $150 and I felt the better components/wheels/handlebars/color scheme justified it.
The good thing about Sora is that you can go up to someone riding full Campy Record and exclaim, "Hey, you got shifters just like mine!!"