Road Cycling - Thinking of upgrading components, need advice.

How big is the difference between the different levels of shimano comps?


Here is what my bike currently has.


CRANK TH RPM 52/42/30T
FRT DER SORA
RR DER TIAGRA
SHIFTER TIAGRA STI
BRAKESET TEKTRO W/ TIAGRA LEVERS
Rims ALEX DOUBLEWALL CNC SIDES
TIRES KENDA KONCEPT 700x23C

Is there a bigger difference between Sora and Tiagra or Tiagra and 105 or between 105 and Ultegra?

Mostly just curious as I have ridden a bike with full ultegra and was impressed with its smoothness, but overall pretty happy with my set up.

Do different brand brakes work better then others? Or is the difference mostly in the brake pad?

Since the front Der is a Sora is that the first piece I should replace?

Thanks for your input and educating this newbie cyclist

First question is what bike do you have and how old is it?

Second question is....how many miles are on it (approx) and has the drivetrain been taken care of properly (ie cleaned/ lubed).

IMO, yes there is a BIG difference in terms of long term reliability AND smoothness between the 105 group and Tiagra/Sora (esp Sora). The derailleurs for one.

First question is what bike do you have and how old is it?

Second question is....how many miles are on it (approx) and has the drivetrain been taken care of properly (ie cleaned/ lubed).

IMO, yes there is a BIG difference in terms of long term reliability AND smoothness between the 105 group and Tiagra/Sora (esp Sora). The derailleurs for one.


The bike is a Mercier Aquila AL Aluminum frame. The bike is only 6 months old and has about 600 miles on it. I was not riding it alot until recently. I have lubed the chain after most rides.

Supposedly there is a difference in reliability. Difference in smoothness? Pretty slight if you ask me.

If you get a chance, go to the LBS and ride the same bike in different component levels. I tried this when I bought my last bike and I couldn't notice much difference.

My advice is that if you're not racing or riding very competetively, don't worry about your components too much. If you want to put money into your bike, start with your wheels. After that, crankset, pedals, shoes.

The reason I asked about how long you've owned it, miles, etc...was to get an idea if you had already worn out the existing components.

IMO, I wouldn't worry about upgrading at this point...like Brillig said, put the money into other aspects of the bike if you really want to spend the $$$ on it. I'd wait till you break something or wore it out then use THAT as an excuse to upgrade... ;)

Of course, once you ride an Ultegra or better equipped bike...you'll wanna upgrade sooner than later! :(

The reason I asked about how long you've owned it, miles, etc...was to get an idea if you had already worn out the existing components.

IMO, I wouldn't worry about upgrading at this point...like Brillig said, put the money into other aspects of the bike if you really want to spend the $$$ on it. I'd wait till you break something or wore it out then use THAT as an excuse to upgrade... ;)

Sounds like that is the best approach to take since any upgrads also have to be justified with the wife ;)


Of course, once you ride an Ultegra or better equipped bike...you'll wanna upgrade sooner than later! :(


Well that explains why I am thinking of upgrading. My brother has an all Ultegra bike that is a very nice, we are similar in size so I was able to take his for a ride.

oh and nothing has worn out but I am interested in the difference between levels of components

Dura-ace All The Way Baby !!