Originally Posted by Ray Dockrey
I have to disagree. Shimano offered something at a cheaper pricepoint. Companies do this all the time. You had the option when you purchased the bike to go nine speed if you wanted to spend the extra money to move to Tiagra. I think somewhere down the line Tiagra will move up to ten speed and Sora will become nine speed. That is usually what Shimano does. To convert to nine speed you will need shifters, cassette, and chain. Your derailleurs and crankset should work okay. I would just ride what you got until you are ready to buy a different bike. There is nothing wrong with eight speed and I doubt you would see much difference.
I bet shimano will keep at least one of their road groups in 8 speed, because 8 speed is the highest number of speeds anyone has ever gone without having to introduce proprietary chains or cog sizes. Unless shimano stops making standard 3/32" components entirely and gives up the market to others, they'll stay with 8speed, and just keep moving the yuppie crap to 14 speed or whatever.
I can imagine it now: dispenser boxes of 14-speed chains, to be used and thrown away after every ride. Cassettes that come off with some sort of quick release so that you can change them every week.
