Bostic

I have not used the 105 triple shifter but everything else. Comparing the cranks is a toss up besides weight/appearance as the 105 is 50/39/30 and the Ultegra is 52/39/30 so upshifting from a 39 to 50 in theory should be faster since it's smaller in diameter. The Ultegra has the very nice hollow outer ring to stiffen it. I can't prove it but I would say the 30t 92mm bcd makes it stiffer and quicker when shifting from 30t to 39t under load.

Decide on what chain ring you want for the outer and take it from there. The Ultegra crank is a bit noisy in the 39t ring in some of the smaller cogs. It's been the case for both my 170mm and 172.5mm cranks. Others have posted regarding it as well.

BlazingPedals

No, you can still get road triples.

Drew Eckhardt 

50-34 x 11-13-15-17-19-21-23-25-28-34 has atrocious gaps between all of the cruising gears

53-39-26 x 12-13-14-15-16-17-19-21-23-25 has essentially the same range but only has a problem with the 17 to 19 jump.

Could be free using used parts when you resell the left-overs.

seypat

Give me a triple every time! With a compact you have to use every cog with both rings to get the gearing you want. But with the triple you can ride in ranges and keep that chain relatively in line. Plus, I don't mind shifting the FD. And, you still get to ride a standard double. You just have the granny in case you need it.

superslomo

seypat I'm with you.

I have bad news, though... Shimano says we're both stupid.

So, grab the bits while you can and accept that 10 speeds on the rear is all the lord is ever going to allow us apostates.

I'm content with the idea that everyone will think I'm fat and weak... I will reflect on it as I am not walking up things in a variety of places.

StanSeven

I've got Dura Ace with 30,000 miles and replaced cables and repacked hubs twice with a bearing change once. I had Sora on a cross bike that became "junk" after 7,000 miles. Obviously I don't agree.

modelmartin

I have converted two of my bikes to triples and the original derailleurs worked fine with a bit of adjusting. The only part changed was the crankset! I have since changed one of them to a triple derailleur when I put on Sora STI shifters. I know the difference between double and triple derailleurs but don't think it absolutely necessary to change them while converting.

Bike Gremlin

Note that 105 was mentioned - as being the most durable, not Sora. Nowhere was it said that Dura-Ace is less reliable than Sora, but compared to 105.

StanSeven

Well you said nobody needs anything better than Sora unless they compete. Replacing a groupset after what many say is one year of riding isn't good.

But I do agree that 105 is a good choice for most people considering everything.

Bike Gremlin

Sora has steel chainrings, so they surely haven't been worn in 7000 miles. Shifters, brakes - I see people riding them year after year. Not sure what happened to your Sora, or what does "junk" exactly mean. Components ceasing to work, needed tuning too often?

superslomo

How much weight are we talking about here? I know I like the finish and aesthetics of the ultegra better, and if I'm going for a once-in-fifteen-years steel bike build, I'm not going to go silly and save $300 just because 105 is "perfectly fine" unless the weight is a minimal issue. For my part, I have a bike that was tiagra and has had parts turn into 9 speed ultegra as things have failed or been less than ideal for ergonomics. It does look better, and there's a sort of placebo-like factor to nicer gear... also, for a steel bike that's not 12 pounds, a few hundred grams here and there still adds up.

Bike Gremlin

Can't argue about aesthetics and ergonomy - that's very personal. Also - the weight. From cheap Sora to ultra-expensive Dura-Ace, there must be around one whole kilogram difference in total groupset weight. For me that's irrelevant, but some people care about those things, even though they aren't competing. My regular bike weighs almost 20 kg and I say when I have problems riding and/or carrying it upstairs, I'll go see a doctor, not buy more expensive groupset.