So there's no Sora anymore, it's referred to as 2200?

Before that Tiagra was 2200?

I'm so confused.

2200 is below sora.
sora = 3xxx
tiagra = 4xxx

Sora still exists. Like any mfg companies, products are often pushed down stream when a new one comes up (rebadged). So the current 2200 stuff were old Soras and Sora were old Tiagras. I don't know if Ultegra or Dura Ace get rebadged into Tiagras. I only know the downstream march of Tiagra, Sora and 2200 stuff. This is nothing new in the world of product companies. Xenon lights used to be exclusive to high-end cars, now even a lowly Mazda3 sport has em... and it swivels too!

The current 9-speed Sora shifters (ST-3400) don't look anything like the previous generation 9-speed Tiagra (ST-4400).

That’s where it gets quite annoying. I can get the 09 Dew Drop from Wiggle significantly cheaper than a 2010 from the shop. However, they only have it in 54cm. I’ve tried a 52cm 2010 Dew Drop which seemed the right size for me. I’ve only had a 54cm Dew Deluxe to try which the salesman said would be okay as I could lift the front wheel off the ground when standing over the top tube (my inseam is 30 inch without shoes). Very tight though in terms of clearance but the reach wasn’t too bad. My thought would be that a Dew Drop would require additional reach though due to hand position so its quite a risk to go for it.

It is very tempting though.
Since the 2010 model doesn’t seem to be worth it, I can’t afford cyclocross and I need wider tyres than a road bike, I would otherwise probably have to forego the drop bar as much as I would love to have one.

I think so. At this price, everything is a version of "average", but for riding long distances, I like drop bars a lot better than flats. You can also install cross/interrupter brake levers on the drop bars.

Oh, really? As someone who was eyeing the Kona Dew Drop as a future bike for commuting, I think that really sucks to hear. It seems this bike is an odd one that gives lukewarm impressions.

While it is certainly possible that these groups have benefited from trickle down technology, this is false. Tiagra is in its second generation. Both generations were 9 speed and neither had thumb levers as found on Sora and 2200. 2200 may well be rebadged Sora from last years generation however, as Sora used to be 8 speed, as 2200 is now.

I've just bought a 2010 Kona Dew Drop. The shifters or brifters (brake and gear) are not an issue on a bike that does a bit of everything. I liked the MTB geometry, the fat tyres, the 48 tooth compact but not too compact chainring and the giant 34-tooth climbing cassette ring. I go bike trekking on quiet roads, farm tracks, cycle paths etc. Not quite off road but not highway sprinting either. This is a great do-it-all machine that is ideal for commuting. Mudguards won't fit the front because of the disc caliper but a 45mm wide rear guard will sit easily on the seatstays. The pedals (Wellgo LU19) need upgrading immediately and the cable discs need much initial fettling and patience as they bed in. Once they have done, the bike will stop on a sixpence - or a dime!

Interesting.. you should be able to mount a mud-gard halfway up the fork then? are there not eyelets for a mudguard on the fork? i can't imagine kona missing that detail... you may need an extra-long bolt to mount the fender or simply bend the fender stays around the disc caliper

looks like a nice bike. the geometry looks a lot like my most comfortable bike; a hybrid converted for the road with drops; steerer tube extender; road saddle and high pressure road tires

Awesome. I quite like the Dew Drop. It feels like a go-anywhere sporty bike. Like a Subaru Impreza WRX.

My $.02: I'd say get the Deluxe. If you need more hand positions and/or want to get aero,a trekking/butterfly bar will swap straight on and do everything for you a drop bar would. If you really want a disc brake road bike,I'd spend the extra dosh and get the ***** Inc. I'm mulling the idea of getting one,but would have to sell a couple bikes to make room as I've gone past critical mass with storage space.

I own a 2010 Kona Dew Drop, and two of my friends both own 2009 Kona Dew Drops.

I have done 2500miles on my Dew Drop and not a single problem, and a lot of this mileage was light touring and one 800 mile cycle to Geneva.

My friends have done about 6000 miles on their Dew Drops, 5000 of those miles was from the UK to Egypt, carrying way too much gear. And those bikes are still ridden

From my experience, and my friends, these bikes are underrated and I have on a few occasions over taken people on road bikes, with my 37mm tires

Hi Brad, and welcome. They aren't making the Dew Drop any more, which is a pity. I'm absolutely in love with my 2010. A great, reliable and versatile ride. Funny that the OP, back in '09, wondered if a Dew Drop would make a low-cost alternative to the Raleigh Sojourn. I rode mine over to the LBS a while back to rest ride a Sojourn. I couldn't wait to get off the Raleigh and back on my Kona. The DD is far better than a budget substitute, it's just a much better bike.