I have Ultegra 3x9 on three bikes. I have never had a problem of any sort setting up or using them. I had a 105 trip that was just fine as well. My wife's Fuji is Tiagra 3x9 and has been trouble free forever. My bro also has a Tiagra 3x9 trip. AFAIC it seems pretty difficult to fault the Shimano 3x9 road stuff. The MTB 3x Shimano was/is on about a bazillion bikes.