New Sora 9 speed?
 

I'm in the market for a new groupset, upgrading my Shimano 2300s.
I was looking at the 105 group then I saw the new Sora 9 speed and apparently there's also a new Tiagra 10 speed?

Does anyone have experience with them, how good are they? Should I just stick to the 105's or are the new groups worth bang for the buck?

My Spesh Tarmac came with 2013 Sora, STI shifters and 9 speed is a whole new upgrade for Sora this year. Mine shifts as expected and I'm yet to have any problems - so I'm happy with it, considering my low-budget. Although I can't say anything for Tiagra - I'm yet to ride a bike with this years Tiagra.
A well adjusted Sora will shift better than a poorly adjusted DA groupset anyway.

Somebody on here will come with the typical roadie response that 105 is and always will be the standard - which I understand, traditions don't really die out in this sport.

4700 Tiagra is 5600 105. Shimano trickles everything down when new groups come out. It's the same way with new 105 (5700); it is the same as previous Ultegra for the most part. It has the smaller hoods, cables under the tape, etc... 10 speed has moved its way down year by year from Dura Ace to Tiagra, 11 speed is down to Ultegra now along with Di2, and it just keeps going this way.

Now that you're confused I'll give you my opinion :). If your budget is limited and you want 10 speed, go with Tiagra. Like I said before, it's the same as previous 105 and as long as you don't care about cable routing it will work just fine for you. I rode 5600 105 for a long time and never had any trouble at all. I do think it's more durable than the groups below it.

imho, but, if you are going to bother upgrading a group you should skip the next one in line and go to the one above that. example - you have 2300, skip sora, go to tiagra. you have sora, skip tiagra, go to 105. the 10spd tiagra group will be a great addition, imho, for a value machine, tiagra is the bang for the buck price point in Shimano lineup.

I'm using a Tiagra 10 speed on a new bike, and I'm quite happy. Brifters were nicer than a 2nd hand 9-speed Ultegra that I've used (might have been sticky or something).

I tried the shifter on the Sora 9 and just passed on to Tiagra.

I'd second bonz50 and just jump to the Tiagra.

Can you actually buy the Sora group at the LBS or online? It's often surprisingly hard to get (other than ebay)

maybe the best way to evaluate the question is gear ratios...does the 10 speed cogset give you better top end, or bottom end, or better spacing in between?

Most likely better spacing, meaning the jumps between some gears won't be so drastic. But that being said the difference between 9 and 10 speed, especially for a novice cyclist, will be marginal. I've ridden the new 9 speed Sora, and I'm impressed. It's a good bang for the buck, and a huge improvement over 2300.

The Mrs. has the new 10 speed tiagra with 12-30 and a 50/34. Nice setup.

Same with mine. She loves it. I love her 2x10 more than my (2005-ish) 3x9 Tiagra. I'd ride her bike if I could squeeze onto it.


Edit to add; I like that the new Sora has moved to the 2-lever style of shifting, rather than the lever/button that's still on the 2300 etc. On the old brifters it's impossible to shift from the drops without unfeasibly long thumbs.

'zackly. I've got no complaints with the new Sora's on my X-Rip, but I think in the long run shifting on hilly, winding roads would be better with a triple crank and closer ratios on the cogset.

Ditch the triple, way too many redundant gears, and you end up with chain rub on the FD way too much. Unless it's you absolutely need the lower gearing, it's better just to develop the muscles to climb in the slightly higher gearing of a double crank.

Lemme know if you find a good place to actually buy a Sora group. I'd put it on my road bike since it gets double duty for commuting and I don't want anything hi-end on it for that reason since it does get locked up outside from time to time.

I have the new Tiagra and I thinks its great. Shifts much smoother than the old Sora

new tiagra is old 105?
 

The new Tiagra is the old 105? I thought the new Tiagra had a different pull ratio like the 5700, 6700, etc.

I buy my all my cycling stuff at wiggle . com they have everything I need there

My 2013 Secteur came with Sora 9-speed. At 6000 miles the right shifter totally locked up. Shimano offered an obsolete 9-speed Tiagra as a replacement. My Roubaix went through three 5600 105 right shifters, each wearing out the ratchet cam after about 15,000 miles. Stuff wears out, but in conjunction with a good LBS, Shimano warranty comes through.

10 speed is more expensive than the 9 speed.

Does 9 speed have enough cogs at the back for your liking?


I have a 5703 105 setup, 10 speed, I wish I had chosen the 9 speed system - just look at the price of chains and cassettes. It is nice, though.

IMHO, Sora is now skipping the next step. I have a Claris group on my 8 speed, and while it is the new 2300, it is significantly better than 2300. You could also keep your existing drivetrain. The only issue I have with Tiagra is the aesthetic - I don't like chrome/silver. Claris is Ultegra ice grey, and new Sora is black, even moreso than 5700.

10 Speed Tiagra is good. GF just got one. The tektro brakes in the group were on or off though and have been upgraded to 105's now.

I have a 4700 Tiagra equipped Roubaix. It is very good. No issues with shifting or anything else. I like the shape of the Tiagra brifters much better than the 5700 105 brifters and the external shifter cable routing is a plus IMHO.

I am guessing the "new" 9 speed Sora is basically the old 9 speed Tiagra. I also have a bike equipped with the 9 speed Tiagra and over 4+ years, I have had no issues with those either.

Looking forward to the 11 speed Tiagra coming out in a few years. By that time, I will be in the market for a new wheelset anyway. I think the 12-30, 11 speed cassette would be really nice.

I'm the exact opposite. I never liked the Tiagra/5600 105 hoods. They were just way too huge for my taste and looked like tree trunks out there on the end of your bars. The newer shape feels much more comfortable to me.

I've been racing the last year on 10-speed Tiagra, no issues on my end. And I really like the shape over the new 105 hoods, but that's all just going to be personal preference.

I find the 5700 105 hoods to be way too wide. I think Campy makes the best shaped brifters for my hands. Too bad I can't afford Campy.

I tried Sora and hated it, too cheap feeling and shifting is nothing like 105.