mthayer

I know that this probably should go in the mechanics section, but I am going to ask it here first.
How do the Shimano Sora, the 2200, 2300?, Tiagra hold up? I know that they are lower end components, but are they really that bad?

Hill-Pumper

I have a friend that is a mechanic at a bike shop, according to him, in 2008 Tiagra was upgraded to almost the 2007 105 level. A lot has to do with SRAM's competition forcing them to do so at those price points. He still does not think much of the Sora and below, but I know a Clyde member here who is 285 and has had good luck with his Sora.

Mr. Beanz

Not being a bike snob but I'd try for a bike that was atleast 105 if I were buying it on a bike package BUT.......

In a pinch , I had to use Sora shifters and a rear derailleur as I was signed up for a big mtn climb and my ULTEGRA pooped out on me right before the event.

The rear deraileur and shifter worked flawlessly for over a year till I found some high end stuff at a really good sale. I kept it tuned and it worked great....when you find a Dura Ace rear derailleur for $64 no tax, you don't pass it up!

About the thumb shifters, I actually like them and had no problem operating the shifters. Some riders complain about the reach but I dunno, maybe they have really tiny hands!

jonathanb715

I've had a Tiagra- equipped bike for several years. The shifting is fine - it does seem to need to be adjusted a bit more frequently than my Ultegra or Rival bikes, but that's just to keep the shifting smooth and consistent. The Utlegra and Rival bikes are more consistent and have a reassuring feel that's tough to describe- the Tiagra bike never quite gets that, but it's not as far off as some would have you believe. The thing that wasn't so good were the brakes. Most of that was the pads - I put some Koolstops on there and it was a big improvement, but there was still a lot of extra movement in the system after the pads hit the rims. Not very reassuring - but the calipers were Tektro, not Shimano. Anytime I buy a bike from now on, I'll make sure I give the brakes a really good workout on the test ride!

JB

mthayer

I have noticed that alot of the newer entry level road bikes have the lower end components on them. I am looking for another bike for myself, and now one for my brother. He is 6-1 and would need somewhere between a 58-62 cm bike and used bikes on CL here are few and far between in that size.
On my road bike I have 105s right now, but the bike is a bit small for me. My touring bike has a SLX derailleur on it. I am still unsure if I like the SLX at this point.

sstorkel

Dunno if I believe this, but I do know several people with Tiagra-equipped bikes who seem pretty happy. One guy managed to break a Tiagra brifter, but that's the only problem I remember hearing about. Sora and 2200 have those weird Campy-like shifters which I hate, so I'd avoid them. Actually, I'd probably avoid Shimano entirely and go with SRAM Apex or Rival but if you're looking for a complete bike they can be difficult to find...

chasm54

I have Tiagra on my tourer and have used it without a problem for well over 6000 miles. I wouldn't call it a "lower end component", it's perfectly adequate for most purposes, just not as light or crisp as the racing set-ups. On the road bike I have Ultegra, but when that needs replacing I shall probably drop back to 105, which is now pretty nearly as good as Ultegra was when I bought it.

I have a friend who has just bought an entry-level Trek with Sora. Doesn't seem to be much wrong with that, either, but I too dislike the Campy-style thumb shifters.

CliftonGK1

The only reason I switched from my Tiagra rd is because I caught something up in it and mangled the cage. Prior to that incedent it worked just fine.
I still have my Tiagra fd on the bike and I don't plan to upgrade any time soon.
This is on a bike that I routinely take on 200km or longer rides, so I definitely trust this equipment.

dscheidt

No. They're heavier. They're sometimes uglier. They work just fine, and will last a reasonable period of time. The lower end shifters are shaped differently, which some people don't like. The differences get smaller as the prices go up.

Mr. Beanz

Are you sure? When I had the Soras, I looked them up for funzies because of all the claims by the weight weeneies that lower end component were heavier, wasn't so with the Sora, they were ligther. Maybe because the parts are plastic. This was in 03 (?)

CliftonGK1

Bingo!
Acera, Sora and other low-end components contain a lot of inexpensive plastic bits which wear out faster than their more expensive high-end counterparts that use metal parts instead.

Mr. Beanz

From Nashbar: I can't seem to find the Sora wts so I used the Nashbar component weigths.

Shift levers:

Nahsbar........389 grams.........$159
Ultegra..........445 grams..........$347

Rear derailleur:

Nashbar..........194 grams.........................................................$39 (sale/reg $59)
105..................221 grams........................................................$79
Ultegra............190 grams (ok, so 4 grams less)....................$87 (sale/ reg $124)

Of course, I would still rather chose the 105 and up for durability (hopefully), just a point to show it's not always the weight.

Wogster

Somehow I find it hard to be concerned about 4 or 5 grams on a bike when the motor is 15,000 grams above optimum weight.. If this was the weight weenie forum, then maybe component weight would be a concern, this however is the C&A forum, where durability is a bigger concern, the question is, at what component level does durability peak? Is Dura-Ace more durable then Ultegra?

Mr. Beanz

You do realize I posted this for a reason and not only as a weight weenie post, right?

Pinyon

I don't see any difference in the quality between Sora, Tiagra, and 105 shifters. Ultegras do the same job, but are smoooth.

As for front derailure, I prefer the Tiagra or 105. I'm not that sensitive about weight, and can't tell the difference in performance on front derailures that are supposed to be "better". They weigh less, but, I have more extra weight around each ankle/kankle...

I do see a difference in the rear derailures. I prefer 105 or better. Tiagra is comparable, but...they just seem to need more adjustment. Make sure that you get a medium or long rear deralure cage if you ride with a triple. The short cages don't cut it.

I must admit that the best-working group I ever had was a long while back, before Brifters. Nothing shifted as fast and silent as a bike that I had in the 80s with campy (six speed on the rear). Super nice. I got the set from a bike shop that went out of business for like $40 (before the internet).

timmythology

I picked up a new trek 1.2 last year, so an 09. It came fully equipped with sora componets. I have not had any issues with these components. My derailleurs have never been touched, or needed to be touched since I have bought this bike. From what I have read, and the way it was explained to me is that Shimano trickles there technology downward. So the 09 sora's have a trimmer, whereas the 08 and earlier did not.

I have around 2k mileage on this bike, and nothing other than the real wheel is after market. OK I lied, so is the seat. I mainly use my road bike for supported rides putting most of my miles on the old faithful commuter.

Just my experience.