MileHighMark

I'm going to be converting my commuter from bar-end to integrated shifters (aka, brifters). I run 9-speed Shimano, and am considering either Sora, Tiagra, or Ultegra shifters. I've heard/read that the Sora units aren't the greatest, but how much of a difference is there between the Tiagra and Ultegras? FWIW, I'll be running a triple up front and canti brakes.

Thanks.

Al1943

It all depends on how much you want to spend.
Buy new not used.

DieselDan

If you have your hands on a new set of 9-speed Ultegras, by all means use them.

AEO

tiagra will be your best bet.
You can't buy 9sp ultegra new anymore, and the ergonomics of the lever itself is questionable.

The current generation 9sp tiagra STI levers are way better ergonomically and functionally than the previous generation 9sp 105, ultegra and tiagra levers.
current gen. Sora STI levers are better built than the previous 8sp levers, but still leave a lot to be desired over tiagra, due to a variety of reasons.


Another alternative is to use 10sp 2009 campangolo veloce levers and a J-tek shiftmate or "B-routing", because I know someone will mention it. Quite frankly, the Veloce 2009 levers are better than Tiagra and the prices aren't that different, but it's slightly more hassle to mate them to a shimano 9sp drive train.

wunderkind

What's your budget?

MileHighMark

$200-ish.

jasonrobo02

Another vote for the newer version of Tiagra levers.

DieselDan

Ever heard of NOS?

AEO

yeah, but are they covered with warranty?
case in point, $170 for tiagra ST-4501/4503 shifters at ribble that are covered with warranty.
ultegra ST-6500, off of ebay, $200 + S&H

Shimano shifters aren't repairable when they break either.

wrk101

Does your budget assume you will do the installation, or the LBS? Your options will be very limited if someone else does the installation.

FWIW: I picked up nine speed Ultegra off ebay, buy it now, complete with derailleurs, brake calipers, cables, handlebar and stem for about $100. It is now the drivetrain on my 1987 Prologue. So sometimes you can score a pretty good deal.

I personally prefer the older 8 speed stuff (good ones, not SORA), as they are rebuildable. So I have Shimano 105 8 speed STI on my 1995 Fuji (came stock that way). 9 speed = limited/no repair.

andrewluke

Tiagra. I'm taking the full group off my CAAD9 and sticking them on a cheap frame for a beater. If you were running a double, I'd have another set I could send you but since you want a triple, you can get a set on ebay dirt cheap as a takeoff

MileHighMark

Yes, I'll be doing the install.

MileHighMark

I'm thinking that new Tiagra is the way to go. I've seen some NOS Ultegra available in 9-spd, but I'm not sure the extra cost is justified.

josephjhaney

Just got a set of NOS Takeoffs of the new tiagra levers myself, they are very very nice. Smoother than the old set of Tiagras I had. The newer ones are the ones with the gear indicators on top, I think they just started that on the tiagra level this year.

LarDasse74

Tiagra is great value.
Ultegra is good if the price difference between it and Tiagra is not too great.
Sora is not as good. Avoid sora if you have the option of Tiagra. Sora has a different downshift mechanism that is not nearly as nice, in my opinion (and the opinion of most others), and has had other functional problems.

idoru2005

With a $200 budget, I'd definitely go for a NOS or lightly used Campy 10sp setup.

MileHighMark

Initially I balked at this, but the more I think about it, the more I like it. I could pick up some NOS Campy 10sp shifters and a Jtek and have a setup that could be rebuilt/repaired fairly easily. Plus, I could run any front mech/rings on the triple.

Hmm...

MadBuddha1

Get low miles dura ace 7700 shifters, $200 sometimes less on ebay