Road Cycling - What is so poor about Sora components?

I ask this as a newbie who just bought some Sora wheels and don't know how good or bad they will be.

don't last very long

I ask this as a newbie who just bought some Sora wheels and don't know how good or bad they will be.

The hubs are Sora......I wouldn't be too worried about em. They might be a little heavy.....but honestly you'll never notice the diffrerence.

There's nothing wrong with Sora components. Sure there are components that are lighter, etc but unless you're competing in the TDF it won't make any real difference.

don't last very longReally?? Documentation??

Sora is good. Maybe not as good as anything else, but there's nothing wrong with that.

However, the wrench at my LBS told me that the Sora rear derail needed more attention cuz it lost tension too soon. True or not, I immediately upgrade my derail to 105 and the shop gave me some credit for the sora.

I think you'll be fine if you're a recreational rider. If you ride a lot a lot then you'll probably buy a new, better, much more expensive bike in a year anyway. If you like a bike with Sora (esp rear) then get it. One consideration is that the Sora brifters are slightly different than the higher ones. The Sora has this little thumb thing that you can't reach from the drops while the Tiagra and up has the other (better?) style. I usually ride around in the hoods when I'm fiddling with the gears so right now I don't notice a difficency. I'm sure I will as I get better but then I'll have a $2k+ bike with ultegra or dura ace anyway.

I find Sora components to have a lot of flex and wimpy springs. Since they are claimed to be heavier that doesn't make a lot of sense. But lots of flex and therefore not as crisp and accurate, Especially in the front derailler.

After three decades of using Shimano products, my experience has been that the lower priced stuff, such as Sora, is designed to be reliable, but is a bit heavier than the more expensive stuff. The more expensive stuff, such as Ultegra, will save you a little weight, but, for the average rider, is not going to "work better" or be more reliable than Sora. There are many good reasons to buy something other than Sora, but reliability is not on the list.

My Sora STI shifters were easy to use on day one, and continue to be bullet-proof. My Utegra STI shifters were a bit "rough" from the get go, and have been increasingly balky after just a few years of moderate use.

In the world of road bikes, there are lots of folks who assume that "light and expensive" is always better than "cheap and reliable." Just as a Lexus is "better" than a Toyota.

Sora not shifting well? The folks who assemble and set-up bikes are unlikely to put the same time and effort into a Sora bike as with a Dura Ace bike. Careless assembly and poor set-up can cause shifting problems. And, a lazy mechanic will excuse his failure to adjust a Sora set-up properly by saying, "Well, it is only Sora...the owner won't know the difference..."

Any competent LBS can set up a Sora bike to shift as nicely as an Ultegra bike Insist they do so...and don't swallow any B.S. about "bad shifting" being normal on a Sora bike.

It depends on what capacity you plan on riding. Since your just getting into it, you should be ok. I got into road riding last year and bought a lower end bike with Sora components to see if I liked it. I love it and am now planning to race so I'm looking to keep my frame since I like it and upgrade the components to Ultegra. With the Sora it's heavy, but it seems to be pretty tough. The front derailleur is kind of finicky (far too finicky for my taste) and you have to adjust it a fair amount to keep it where you need it. I don't like the shifters a lot, but there's nothing there that makes a ride any less enjoyable. You will be ok with the Sora for a long while, so don't worry about it.

My sister has a Sora triple, while Iv'e got 2 mates with Tiagra triples. The Sora FD has performed much better and been more problem free than the Tiagra FD. Rear shift quality would be better on the Tiagra, but as a whole the Tiagra's advantage there wouldn't go close to making up for the grief on the FD. Sora is fine.

I've only had experience with Tiagra and Ultegra, but one observation I've made recently is that the ultegra shift better under load ... meaning that when either sprinting or out of saddle and climbing, the ultegra engages the new gear with much easier and with greater conviction. The tiagra objected a little under the same conditions.

-mark

On my Trek 1000 I upgraded the chain from the cheap KMC to an less-cheap Sram. Made a big (+++) difference in how the bike shifted. And I have a powerlink so I can take the chain off and clean it.

Ridden Sora for five years and thousands of miles. No problem here. has performed well with fairly regular cleanings of the bike. Being my first road bike, i can not address the "inconveinient thumb lever," all I know is Sora did what I asked of it, when I asked it.

After three decades of using Shimano products, my experience has been that the lower priced stuff, such as Sora, is designed to be reliable, but is a bit heavier than the more expensive stuff. The more expensive stuff, such as Ultegra, will save you a little weight, but, for the average rider, is not going to be more reliable than Sora.

I do not like STI shifters, but one of my bikes came with Sora STI shifters, and another with Ultegra STI shifters. The Sora shifters were easy to use on day one, and have been bullet-proof. The Utegra STI shifters were a bit "rough" from the get go, and have been increasingly balky after just a few years of moderate use.

But, folks who SELL Dura Ace and Ultegra will tell you the extra bucks are well worth it. The folks who SPENT the extra bucks also want to think the extra monty was worth it.

Whoa does that mean I can start building my bike up with sora components vs 105...?!

Can you even find Sora components anywhere but used on ebay?

Sora are a little heavier than Ultegra but are also a lot cheaper. They will last just as long as Ultegra. A friend of mine races A Grade and he has Sora on his race (CAAD3) bike, as he can't afford anything better at the moment. He rides 20,000km a year and climbs like a demon. He often places in the top 3, it obviously isn't slowing him down. It's nice to have the better stuff but it won't make any difference to performance.

CHEERS.

Mark

When it comes to wheels, the quality of the build is as important (if not more) than the grade of hub. All Shimano hubs are well built and can be adjusted to spin freely. I have low-end Shimano hubs built up into commuter wheels that take a real hammering. I have had no problems with them.
The only issue may be the grade of ball bearings used. Higher end models use ISO 24 grade balls not lumpy low end ones.
The bearing surfaces of high-end hubs are better but cup and cone is a very forgiving system.

It's an eight speed rear cluster and the front derailleur is very difficult to keep in line with the triple front. There is a lot of plastic in the shifters and a portion of the rear derailleur. It is Shimano's only shifter that uses a thumb button.
It is what it is...entry level and inexpensive. And it will not shift as cleanly nor last as long as the better systems.

It's an eight speed rear cluster and the front derailleur is very difficult to keep in line with the triple front. There is a lot of plastic in the shifters and a portion of the rear derailleur. It is Shimano's only shifter that uses a thumb button.
It is what it is...entry level and inexpensive. And it will not shift as cleanly nor last as long as the better systems.

My 2003 Sora bike has the best STI shifting I have experienced. My 1999 Ultegra bike has mediocre shifting. Both have been carefully adjusted by one of the best techs in my city. The Sora parts might be cheaper, but the design is precise and reliable. The new 2005 Ultegra shifters have corrected several of the design flaws in the prior generation, but that does not help owners of the previous version.

If someone's Sora bike has shifting problems and the mechanic blames Sora, the solution is not a new bike. It is getting a new mechanic.

Have one bike with Sora and one with 105. They both work well.

Don't be ashamed of Sora, it meets the needs of most recreational riders quite well.

And, for most of us, losing a pound of body fat is a lot cheaper (and better for us) than paying for Ultegra or Dura Ace to save a few grams.

don't last very long
But longer than the educational qualifications of some...

Quality difference between Sora vs 105 vs Ultegra vs DA is certainly there (that's partly why it's cheaper), but also largely overestimated. THe average rider will do fine without DA. The average rider will do fine without 10-sp. The average rider will be more likely to have shifting problems because of poorly adjusted/maintained equipment than because of component quality.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=69313 ;)

How long have you been riding and comparing a correctly set-up Sora bike with a correctly set-up Ultegra bike? I have been making that comparison on a regular for over a year. My 2003 Sora bike has the best STI shifting I have experienced. My 1999 Ultegra bike has mediocre shifting. Both have been carefully adjusted by one of the best techs in my city. The Sora parts might be cheaper, but the design is precise and reliable.

If your Sora bike has shifting problems, you don't need a new bike. You need a new mechanic.

This is hilarious.....

I don't have a Sora bike. Dura Ace and Ultegra...but believe it or not I bet, even without owning one I've got more Sora miles that you. I SELL them. It's a recreational shifter package.
BTW...the mechanic that sets up these bikes used to work with Cool Gear Racing...pro team.
Thanks for your thoughts, however. Enjoy your bike.

sheesh....

I've heard bang for your buck, Sora is decent stuff. However, I have heard only by rumor of what is on this forum, that the shifters are not as well made as the 105's and up. Like I said....rumor. They are however, cheap enough that if something breaks, it won't break your bank account to replace it.

I've heard bang for your buck, Sora is decent stuff. However, I have heard only by rumor of what is on this forum, that the shifters are not as well made as the 105's and up. Like I said....rumor. They are however, cheap enough that if something breaks, it won't break your bank account to replace it.

Cheap? Sora shifters are only a few bucks less than 105s. You can get 105 shifters for about $140.

This is hilarious.....

I don't have a Sora bike. Dura Ace and Ultegra...but believe it or not I bet, even without owning one I've got more Sora miles that you. I SELL them. It's a recreational shifter package.
BTW...the mechanic that sets up these bikes used to work with Cool Gear Racing...pro team.
Thanks for your thoughts, however. Enjoy your bike.

sheesh....

That sort of "attitude" infects waaay too many shops that sell road bikes: "real roadies ride Dura Ace and Campy with a carbon or ti frame" AND "Sora stuff is just cheap junk to sell people who don't know better".

That snobby sort of attitude, drippy with contempt for folks who are spending "only" $600 or $700 for a road bike, has helped to accomplish the following: In 1975, about half of males age 18 to 30 were riding road bikes on a regular basis. Thanks in part to elitism and snobby attitudes among many (not all) "high end" bike shops, today only about 1% or 2 % of males in that same age group are riding a road bike on a regular basis.

I have found several shops that are pleased to have sell Sora bikes and to provide service to Sora customers. They take adequate time to set up a Sora bike, just as they would with a $5,000 bike. If a Sora bike is not shifting properly, a good shop does not fabricate fairy tales that Sora does not shift well as an excuse to upgrade that customer to Ultegra.

I've seen new Sora shifters on Ebay for $90 a set. Used ones in "like new" condition for as cheap as $60. I would call that a good bang for your buck, compared to $140 and up for 105's.

Although personally, I would spend the extra bucks for the 105's. But, that's my compulsiveness for higher quality talking. :)

"That sort of snobby attitude, drippy with contempt, has done the following: In 1975, about half of males age 18 to 30 were riding road bikes on a regular basis. Thanks to roadie elitism, something like 1% or 2 % of males in that age group ride a road bike on a daily basis today."

While I can certainly understand the basis of your comment regarding roadie elitism, we cannot simply disregard the impact that the introduction of the mountain bike had on road bike sales.

Personally, I lucked into a used 2001 dura-ace equiped bike for just $150 over what I could buy a new Sora equiped ride. I love the bike and it certainly is light, but I admit that I would probably not need more than Sora or Tiagra right now. Moreover, my wife's Deore equiped mountain bike shifts more smoothly even after multiple adjustments by qualified mechanics. My buddy rides Sora and spanks me on a regular basis. It is just like the XT vs. LX vs. XTR debate or the decision to buy the new specialized comp road shoe vs. the sport road shoe. For the average person, there is just not that much noticable difference.

If we are racing and need that extra edge, that is one thing, but I think we lie to ourselves a lot about what is really driving the decision. I can't help but think of the reasoning a buddy gave me for not considering a high end Supergo-brand road bike; he did not want to be looked down at on the starting line. We all have some amount of pride and are willing to pay some premium to appease that fear of not being accepted or respected. I find that as I get older and think more about my family than I do about my gear, I have more fun riding what I have rather than dreaming about what I don't. My thinking is, if you have Sora, ride the crap out of it and enjoy it. If it breaks prematurely (which I doubt) get something one or two steps up to replace it. "It is not about the bike".

Your "attitude" infects waaay too many shops that sell road bikes: "real roadies ride Dura Ace and Campy with a carbon or ti frame" and "Sora stuff is just cheap junk to sell people who don't know any better".

That sort of snobby attitude, drippy with contempt, has done the following: In 1975, about half of males age 18 to 30 were riding road bikes on a regular basis. Thanks to roadie elitism, something like 1% or 2 % of males in that age group ride a road bike on a daily basis today.

I have found a couple of shops that are happy to have both Sora bikes and Sora customers. They take the time to set up a Sora bike, just as they would with a $5,000 bike. If a Sora bike is not shifting properly, a good shop does not fabricate the fairy tale that Sora does not shift well as an excuse to upgrade that customer to Ultegra.

If your "expert" mechanic can not set up Sora bikes to shift smoothly and reliably, your customers need to "upgrade" to a better mechanic, not to a better bike.

LOL...are you supposedly quoting me, or are you just making this up as you go along??? And these stats you quote, source??? Link???

You know, WE sold over four million in bikes last year. Many of them were road bikes over a thousand in price. 45 were Serottas. Many under a thou were OCR3's and Trek 1000's with Sora. Which are the only two bikes amongst Cannondale, Trek, and Giant (the big three) that have any Sora on them. Trek only uses the shifters on the 1000, preferring to use a Tiagra rear and their own front derailleur...only Giant's OCR3 is fully Sora. It's such good stuff.
Wow...it's a big responsibility knowing everything...

BTW...I forwarded your diatribes to a former racing teammate who now wrenches for one of the US pro teams...he laughed and said, "Tell him Sora is Italian for dumpster."
Ride what you want...I could care less.... :rolleyes:

For those of you that own Sora and do not need to resort to personal attacks to defend your buying decision...there is nothing wrong with it, it's simply entry level and designed as such. Not as smooth as the nicer stuff, very small thumb buttons on the shifters, apparently three large manufacturers agree with that. We see these components, now, mostly on bikes being sold through department stores.

But alan knows better...LOL

Its funny that in a "Sora is better" type thread, everyone says sora is really good with thumbshifters, and more precise and other benefits, and in this thread "Tiagra is better" they say that the thumb shifters suck, and tiagra is much more precise.

It probably just proves that whatever components people have on their bike, they're loyal to them, whether it be tiagra, sora or ultegra.

PS - If after reading this thread you begin thinking that you have to fork out another 200 dollars because sora sucks, you gotta have a look around at other threads, and you'll see similar patterns for sora, ultegra and whatever, allowing you to get confused even more!!!

...it's simply entry level and designed as such. Not as smooth as the nicer stuff, very small thumb buttons on the shifters, apparently three large manufacturers agree with that. We see these components, now, mostly on bikes being sold through department stores.



I like Sora shifters because they shift quickly and precisely, just like shifters did BEFORE STI came along. My older Ultegra STI shifters and 105 STI shifters are not as quick, and not as precise as my Sora shifters.

At least one person, other than me, was unhappy with the nine-speed Ultegra shifters...Mr. Shimano. The UK's Cycling Plus reports that the new 2005 Ultegra shifters are NOT the old nine speed shifters, upgraded with one additional speed. They are a complete re-design, targeted directly on the flaws in the old design that I have mentioned.

CP's editors noted that the 2005 Ultegra shifters "represent the greatest advance in the component range and have been completely redesigned with the emphasis on improving the ease with which gear changing is made...the new version...reduces the distance between the lever blade and the handle bars by 10mm at the point at which the shift is performed...the 'click' action of the lever has been improved making it easier to define the point at which gear shifts take place...shifts to a smaller size cog (are) an improvement on the old 9-speed lever..."

Each of these three improvements are targeted directly at the flaws in the 1998 to 2004 Ultegra shifters that I have criticized. Yet, some of the folks at the LBS who SOLD the flawed Ultegra shifters will deny to the end of time that any of these design changes were necessary.

Here are some of the comments from CP editors about Sora shifters: "...You won't get better gearing than this on a (low cost) road bike. Shifting is easy and obvious. A thumb operated button-lever on the brake hoods moves the chain to the smaller chainrigns/smaller sprockets. A sideswipe of the brake lever shifts the chain the other way..."

When readers asked for help upgrading both Shimano equipped and Campy equipped eight cog bikes, CP said "we recommend Shimano's budget priced but user-friendly Sora 8-speed..." and "we have found Sora's 8-speed shifters work with Compag 8-speed gears..."

In a test of shifters that included Dura Ace shifters, CP editors said Sora shifters "have already won acclaim as a great touring and cyclo-cross lever (because) as with (Campy) Ergopower levers, you use your thumbs to shift the chain to a smaller cog". Their conclusion: "These have wonderfully light action and excellent ergonomics, making it a great lever...The Campag-like levers work a treat..."

CP editors can be brutal when unhappy with a bike or equipment. And they are nit-pickers. So, their praise of the Sora shifters is from folks very willing to say what is on their minds.

Can you even find Sora components anywhere but used on ebay?
Yes.

Have an '02 TREK 1000 that came with a mix of SORA and Suntour parts. Overall the SORA parts work well for the intended purpose; recreational riding. If you race, buy something else. From my perspective, the parts work well. The 11-28 cassette, Suntour, had a little clunkiness when shifting from the 16 to 18 cogs and when under load which I know is not a good thing but it worked. Had a problem with the FD brifter over Christmas holiday and needed a new module installed. The plastic parts that held/guided the end of the shifter cable had torn/broken probably due to my over-zealous attempts to shift when I could sense something wasn't right; my error. Anyway, I had a new Shimano 13-26 Ultegra cassette, which I got from Performance on sale, a Shimano SORA triple crankset, Nashbar sale item, and a new Shimano 8-speed chain installed along with a drive train tune-up by my LBS. The entire system works great. Shifts are smooth and crisp and overall a nice quite ride. The cost of the parts were modest and the shop labor was worth it to me since I'm not a great wrench type person but I can do minor adjustments and service. My next bike, probably carbon, will either have Campy.

BTW...I forwarded your diatribes to a former racing teammate who now wrenches for one of the US pro teams...he laughed and said, "Tell him Sora is Italian for dumpster."
Ride what you want...I could care less.... :rolleyes:


And how does this affect the average rider again? That quote right there just shows the elitism.