My bike is set up with a FSA vero triple crankset-30/39/50. Sora deraileurs.

The bike virtually never well shift to the big ring. It hasn't been a huge deal(I spend almost all my time in the middle ring anyway) but it's starting to bug me. Over the past couple of months, the drivetrain has been getting noisier and noisier, despite cleaning and lubing the chain every couple of weeks.

I've got some store credit that looks to be close to the price of a 105 triple deraileur. Would this be a meaningful upgrade that a new rider would notice and appreciate? Right now I avoid front shifts because they're a pain in the butt.

The eventual goal is to put a lower end campy group on the bike, so I don't want to invest TOO much into it. Even then, it's entirely likely I won't ever do that, and just execute n+1 instead.

Why not upgrade it by adjusting the FD instead? Lubing the chain has nothing to do with this.

Changing the derailleur isn't going to help. Something is wrong with the adjustment. It's either mounted too high, not centered, or maybe it even needs to be slightly off center (sometimes the case). Could be a problem with the high limit screw being too tight. Going to a shop and spending what you would on a new FD is a better use of your money.

I would just adjust the FD properly. If you have some spare time you can tinker with it otherwise it shouldn't be expensive at all for the shop to do it. As for the noise, my only guess would be a new chain because if it is not shifting right I would figure it is safe to assume that the chain has been rubbing possibly.

I test rode a few bikes with the 2300 and claris shifters/derailleurs and it worked fine, only difference would be very slight if any especially without changing the shifters. A new derailleur won't fix the problem if not adjusted properly as well.

"I spend almost all my time in the middle ring anyway"
"the drivetrain has been getting noisier and noisier"

Sounds like things are getting worn.
I would suggest that review the "chain stretch" and "chain and sprocket wear" sections of this article: Chain Maintenance and follow the advice found therein.

Fix/replace what needs it then when all is well follow this procedure from the beginning without skipping any steps, as if this were a new installation: Park Tool Co. ŧ ParkTool Blog ŧ Front Derailleur Adjustments

Note that one often overlooked factor is that chains develop side play when worn, which can adversely affect shifting, especially up front.

If your chain is worn and you need to replace it, be prepared for the possibility that it may skip on the worn cassette, which will then have to be replaced also. This is not an uncommon occurrence.

I would bet a new chain and cassette
would be similar in price to an unnecessary front derailleur replacement

Guys, he said that it never shifted well, so he just stayed on the middle ring. That means it's never been adjusted properly, and chain wear is a red herring.

Guys obviously I'm going to get the FD adjusted. Right now it won't even shift off the small ring, and that is not okay! Honestly, I can live with a 1x9 if the 1 is 39 - 50. 30 is too low however.

I'm wondering if upgrading the FD is also worth doing for a rider who probably isn't very perceptive about component quality.

no

there is absolutely no benefit to anyone
unless your current derailleur is damaged or worn

No, you do not need a new front derailleur. Since you are now not able to shift off of the small ring it sounds as if the front shift cable may have slipped at the FD fixing bolt. As already recommended, try adjusting the front derailleur according to the instruction found at parktool.com. Do ALL of the steps in the sequence listed. You may need to loosen the front cable with the shifter in its lowest position, remove all of the slack and retighten the cable, but do this in the proper sequence per the Parktool instructions.

If anything, "upgrading" to a higher-level FD could make the front shifting more finicky -- they tend to have slightly narrower cages than the lower-level ones.

Seven of seven respondents do not support buying a new derailleur, but you still ask permission. Dude, you really should just do what you want.

Another cause of a difficult upshift beside the clamp bolt not holding is that the cable is fraying in the shifter and is stretching prior to breaking. You should check for this right away, since if it breaks off it can be hell to get out.

Advice, not permission. People not answering the question('is a 105 FD a meaningful upgrade over Sora?') don't count towards a consensus.:roll eyes:

I think I'm just going to go to a different LBS. I dropped off the bike, wrote down what was wrong on the work order...and it still won't shift into the big ring. Other shifts are smoother...but still can't get in the big ring, which is why I brought the bike in.:roll eyes:

The tactile click in the pedals with every pedal revolution is still there, too, despite also being on the work order and letting the shop know I wasn't in any hurry, so just please get everything adjusted like new.

Fortunately, I have free maintenance until the year is over, since I bought the bike at New Year's, so I'm not out any money.

Yes, they did ms. perceptive. You have other problems to spend your money on.

people see what they want to see

So were they able to demonstrate the front shifting correctly at the shop before you took it home?