I know there are different tiers of bike components such as Sora, Acera, 105, Ultegra, Dura Ace etc... but what exactly makes each of these better then the previous? Are they lighter, more durable m or what?

If you couldn't figure it out, yes i'm a noob.

Usually weight and materials. It means much more for the elitist and the status seeker

weight mostly. Acera is a mountain bike groupset, so that one would be way different. The top tier sets will shift slightly better than Sora, or atleast they used too. I'm not sure what improvements they've made to sora.

There are also SRAM groupsets, which is my preference.

Lighter, stronger, smoother; possibly more durable but I wouldn't count on it and in fact maybe a bit less so with some components. Apparently I'm an elitist since I like lighter, stronger, smoother components.

I hadn't ridden a bike in 2 decades and immediately noticed the difference between 105s and the next one down. At the time, I didn't know anything about group sets just that I liked the bike with the 105s much better.

Incorrect! For the elitist/status conscious, it goes far beyond that. Liking them does not an elitist make. I'm sure you've met them. What you are, is apparently the sensitive type. Develop a thicker skin.

At least for Shimano, most folks find 105 and up (ultegra, DA) to be very similar - almost identical in performance. The good stuff weighs a hair less but costs a ton more.

The lower end stuff like Sora or Shimano 2200-2300 is definitely not as good as 105, but you'd be wrong to say it's bad. In fact, it's a really solid performer. I have a Sora bike that I train on less now but used to train on a lot, and it's required no maintenance and still works great. It has never limited me.

I still find it interesting that people find it so effortless to drop $700 to upgrade the shifters because 'it's smoother' when in reality, the Sora / 2200-2300 stuff is actually far better than most riders will ever need. (Criterium racers should skip the Sora stuff and go straight to 105+ though. Tons of hard shifts in those.)

It's all just a pricing game. It probably costs Shimano pennies on the dollar to mass produce Dura Ace stuff over Sora stuff, but then how could they justify the 10 fold price difference? Oh, and for those who have so astutely pointed out status...uh...duh? Hello? This is cycling we are talking about. Road cycling at that! 90% of it is status. Women and their Coach bags...cycling dudes and their Capo kits. It's the uniform that says "hey I'm cool and trendy"!

Marketing likes the good/better/best groupings, so they can play them against each other. And we're all suckers for an upgrade.

For the most part, the differences are weight and features. i.e., DuraAce was the first to get electric shifting, it was the first to get 11 speed. But it all trickles down -- i.e., electric shifting is now available on Ultegra, Ultegra will probably get 11-speed next year, etc.

All of Shimano's product lines can be setup to shift and brake really well. Shifting performance has more to do with how much care was done with the initial setup and the condition of the chain than the product name stamped onto the derailleur. A DuraAce drive train that hasn't been cleaned in a couple thousand miles is going to shift like crap; a Tiagra drivetrain that's nice and clean will shift pretty well.

Shimano Ultegra came out with 11 speed this spring.

Very telling as well is how hard it is to get your hands on a replacement Sora or 2200/2300 groupset despite their being ubiquitous on entry-level BLS bikes. The LBSes will happily sell you 105 and up, but you're lucky if they have Tiagra, and most of them won't sell you a Sora or 2200/2300 replacement except for special order. Fortunately, you can replace the chains and cassettes which are widely available - and cost less than half of an ultegra part.

OP, listen to these compare/contrast podcasts regarding today's group-sets: part 1 & part 2.

I currently have D/A and Tiagra. My wife has 105 and I just got ride of an Ultegra bike. When brand new, the shifting is very close. With some miles, DA and Ultegra seem more durable and shift just like new. I still have an old 9 speed DA bike that is perfect and outlasted a 9 speed Ultegra by quite a bit.

As most have said, the set-up will affect how well it shifts more than the actual shifter/derailleurs. I'd even suggest good internal and external cables on Tiagra/Sora that are maintained well would be a lot smoother than DA that is left to rot in the garage.

But then again, I have only ridden DA twice, Ultegra once and Sora is on my own bike (upgraded to STI shifters this year). I have to believe Sora is just as good in performance, I can hardly afford 105/ultegra, nevermind justify buying it.

Differences are:
1) PRICE (the most significant one, most easily felt)
2) weight
3) function
4) durability

As you go from "lower" to "higher" tier, price doubles, weight decreases gradually, functionality is nicer and nicer, durability rises to mid point, then goes down slightly (with top racing stuff - more fragile - not always, but often).



* Road components, from lower to higher: 2300, Sora, Tiagra, 105, Ultegra, Dura Ace.

* MTB components, from lower to higher: Altus/tourney, Acera, Alivio, Deore, SLX, Deore XT, XTR




Now, this is just my experience and opinion:



Road: Sora is just fine, above is nicer but more expensive.

MTB: Acera is fine, Deore is the highest that makes sense buying in terms of slightly nicer functioning, lower weight and better durability. Going above that is worth only for racing.

[QUOTE=cthenn;15731479]It's all just a pricing game. It probably costs Shimano pennies on the dollar to mass produce Dura Ace stuff over Sora stuff, but then how could they justify the 10 fold price difference? Oh, and for those who have so astutely pointed out status...uh...duh? Hello? This is cycling we are talking about. Road cycling at that! 90% of it is status. Women and their Coach bags...cycling dudes and their Capo kits. It's the uniform that says "hey I'm cool and trendy"![/QUOTE]

BINGO!!!! the one thing people don't want to hear but is the truth. I say it all the time when this comes up. How many people can honestly say if put to a blind test with the groups they woud be able to identify what they are riding.....not many.

And 5) finish quality. (i.e. polished finishes versus painted) so DA is purdier than Ultegra.

Also, durability generally improves as you go up the scale, until you hit the step from DA to Ultegra. Some aspects of DA are less durable than Ultegra, i.e. the cassette with Ti cogs for part of the cassette which are lighter but wear faster than the steel cogs in Ultegra.

Acera is a mtn groupset.

It changes with generation to generation, so some of this may not be current. But for Shimano road groupsets it's something like this from cheapest to most expensive.

Sora: Cheap. Lots of plastic bits and what is metal, isn't plated so low durability and low protection from corrosion. Works well enough but missing features such as trim.

Tiagra: Similar to Sora, but loses the thumb shift lever for improved ergonomics.

105: More reliance on metal parts. Durable, e.g. outer chain plates are now nickel plated for corrosion resistance. Trickle down features from the latest DuraAce technology. Has pretty much the latest or one gen behind on hyperglide chain/sprocket cuts, and trim in both directions for shifting performance.

Ultegra: Lighter weight. Smoother operation. Most durable, e.g. both inner and other plates of chain is nickel plated for corrosion resistance, and other bits throughout groupset. More premium metals and materials like carbon shift levers.

DuraAce: Lightest. Smoothest. Sacrifices durability for weight, e.g. cassette uses titanium which wears faster than the hardened and plated steel of Ultegra.

Sora is cheap, but the low durability bit is questionable. My Sora has been great for 4 years now, and requires no adjustments. Even has been through 3 spills, no problem. Doesn't shift as crisply as 105-DA, but I disagree with that it's low durability. No corrosion whatsoever on mine, but I also don't ride it in the rain. (I do sweat a lot though.)

The thumb button is an issue for some - some like myself don't mind it at all, but it does make it impossible to hit that button in the drops - you have to get on the hoods.

I don't doubt the cold-forget DA will have much greater durability than Sora, but I think we've already passed the point where even the least durable of the groupsets last so long that you have to willingly break or abuse them to damage them.

I heard so much crap about how crappy Sora was and how quickly it would break, and I've spent the last 4 years waiting for that hype to even come close to coming true. No such luck. The (few) other folks I know of who still ride Sora regularly also have had no problems with it even if it's not as crisp on the shifts as the pricey stuff. (My other bike is a DA, and it definitely shifts more crisply; I definitely prefer it.)

Actually, I really dislike the two-tone finish on DA and prefer Ultegra because of that.

There are minor differences in the overall construction of components as you go up. The higher end components are easier to adjust and will tolerate more adjustments.

For example, brake cable adjustment on Sora is a metal ring with rubber o-ring for grip. When the o-ring cracks (aging), you'll either need a wrench or figure out how to replace. On 105 and its a ridged metal adjuster. Slightly, more difficult to grip, but will last forever.

On 105, the brake centering adjusted is a Philips screw head which is virtually guaranteed to have the head strip out after you made 20-30 adjustments (should take a few years). On Ultegra/Dura-Ace this is an Allen key which will last virtually forever.

Beyond that the shifters require less force, operate more smoothly and have shorter lever pulls as you go up.

Use proper screwdriver properly and it will last long long time.

Taking money from people - Sora groupset is a better groupset than most riders are riders. If you know what I mean. Just ride the damn thing and get the groupset that is not too expensive for your income.

Minor details a bout Sora's funcionality - 3300 shifters and up have trim and 3500 has paddle shifters. No 10 speed options available.

One of my bikes has 3 year-old Sora, and it has trim function- and works very well.