Originally Posted by
fstshrk
Tiagra (4600, 10 speed) is basically identical to the 5600 105. It shifts great, the components last forever when maintained properly.
It is a shame that so many people get stuck on a component grade selection as the decisive factor.
I have been shopping new bikes myself right now.
Between 105 and Tiagra to be honest on shift quality with eyes closed it would be tough for me to tell them apart on a 2 mile test ride. That said the 105 brifters are "nicer" IMHO , I really do not need deraillor position indicators (Tiagra )......so 105 in that way is nicer.
I also rode a synapse with disks.....they were adjusted properly, probably nearly virgin so they might break in better, but the braking amount for lever input was VERY different than the rim brakes on the other 4 bikes I rode that day.......way more lever pressure for a given braking result, but maybe less grabby and a lot easier to modulate ?
I'd have to take it on faith from other owners experience that they change pretty quickly with break in :-)