The 105 feels really nice on my newish road bike. Is it the actual shifting or the 11 speeds that makes it feel smoother? I couldn’t tell you. I wanted to get nicer components for this particular bike so I went with 105 and happy.

You can make anything work with a little practice, IMHO. I also have a $180 craigslist Centurion vintage bike with old bar ends and a 14/28 6-speed sprocket. I enjoy that one, too. It feels like I am driving an old English sports car with no synchromesh. It takes a little more skill to ease ‘er into gear but the gears engage smoothly and I keep on riding!