looking for input on components
 

I'm new in the market to buy a new/used newer road bike. There's lots of opinions about shimano product line. Some say that Sora and Tiagra are just fine, others say don't buy anything less than 105. Still others say get ultegra. The price difference is certainly significant. but does the price and the higher end components translate into better performance and longevity, or is it really all about weight and marketing?
:confused:

If you ride long and/or hard or want to keep your bike for a long time, or if you simply appreciate well-made machinery, do not settle for less than 105. Low-end Shimano equipment does not take abuse or heavy use very well. (In contrast I have 30-year-old Campag. Record hubs with over 30K miles/50K km on them.)

Any differences in component weight or bearing friction will probably have little or no impact on your speed or efficiency.

Hi,
Eveything I have read and heard about last couple years says you want to start out with 105 or higher. I have Ultegra and have had good luck but I have also heard many good reports on the 105. Good Luck
Roadguy

I am a long haul wannabe and intent to keep my next purchase for a long time. I've hade my Nishiki International for 23 years. I've been very happy with it. But it's time to move on and up and eperience what modern bike technology has to offer.

I assume that the same logic applies to Campagnolo components too.
What is the minimum product line to consider for Campagnolo?

Velocipedio's road components equivalencies chart [from bottom to top]:

Shimano / Campagnolo

Sora / Xenon
Tiagra / Mirage
105 / Veloce
Ultegra / Centaur
Dura Ace / Chorus

And Record stands on its own level.

Now this is subjective, and a lot of people will disagree with me. Moreover, the equivalencies aren't exact. Tiagra is a little more polished and durable than Mirage, for example, but things even out quite nicely at the top.

The bottom-line serious group from Campagnolo is Veloce, just like 105 is for Shimano. Bear in mind, too, that Centaur, Chorus and Record are all 10-speed groups.

definitely Dura ace is on the same playing fields as Campagnola Record, I have use Shimano Dura ace for over four years now and I can safely say it is worth the investment I have made on it...

thanks for the information.
It's great to be able to ask questions like this and get folks to respond.

Your help is greatly appreciated.
B