Looking at getting my first road bike, and am a 53 year old rookie. My rides will be just for fun with a local club, but hope to do some fun races in the future and do some 40+ mile rides.

I'm looking at three bikes in particular right now (Specialized Sequoia, Felt Z80/Z100, and Scott Speedster). Most of these are in the same price range with the biggest difference being in components.

As a beginner who will hopefully advance quickly, would I notice a big difference between the Shimano Sora/Tiagra and the 105 components? The bikes come with Sora or a combo of Sora and Tiagra or 105. The 105 equipped bikes are more money so just wondering if it is worth it in the long run to get the slightly more expensive 105 components or go with the lesser stuff as it really wouldn't make a big difference?
Thanks
Dan'o The FNG from the 50+ group..

IMO 105 is the sweet spot in the Shimano line for the casual rider. It's a great mix between performance and price.

Sora uses thumb shifters, I didn't like them.

The Allez is the same price as the Sequoia, and comes with almost exactly the same components.

if you hope to do amateur races, i'd say go w/ the 105. if it's strictly recreational, sora/tiagra is a great groupset. you can tell the differences over time.

IMO, Tiagra is an okay group set, but 105 is the way to go for long-term use... You will especially notice the difference if your bike comes equipped with a 105 crank. Good luck!

There is no reason to get less than 105 unless its over your budget, or you just dont care. You sound like someone who has big plans.

Get the 105, you won't regret it....

105 or Ultegra are really where you want to be in terms of components as a beginner who hopes to race with that same rig.

Agree on the 105. Its "where to be" from the sounds of your plans.

I do.

I have Sora and I would probably just spring for 105. It has 10 spds, and I prefer the shifters. This week, I've really been annoyed by the placement of the thumb shifter because I can't reach it from the drops. And when you're going 30mph on a potholed road, it sucks to have to shift your hand position and take your focus off the road. Campagnolo knows how to make an ergonomic shifter, why not Shimano? Tiagra is similar to 105, but for the difference in price, I would just go 105 and get that extra gear.

If you decide you aren't all into it, a bike with 105 would also have better resale value.

the shifting with full 105 would be considerably smoother

get the speedster 30. great bike with 105.

Thanks all. That's what I needed to know. Just learning about all this stuff so it's great to get the advice from folks that know.
Dan'o :}