STI shifters - old 105 or new Tiagra

manick0de
manick0de Posts: 202
edited February 2008 in Workshop
I've got a chance to buy both shifters at simmilar price for a winter/commuter build I'm doing. I was going to nab the 105's but given the redesign and review on this site I'm considering the Tiagra's.

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/components/brake-levers/product/tiagra-sti-levers-st-4500-8904

Has anybody used both?[/url]

Comments

  • Steve I
    Steve I Posts: 428
    Me! There's no difference in the shifting, both are spot on in that department. I prefer the Tiagra for comfort, the 105s had a sharp bit that used to stuck into my hand.
  • Steve I
    Steve I Posts: 428
    The new Sora is supposed to be 9 speed, though I've only seen 8 speed on retailers websites. Sora is well good enough for a commuter and arguably better for riding on the tops/hoods because of the thumb shifter.
  • topdude
    topdude Posts: 1,557
    Hi, i can't comment on 105 but i have just replaced my old Tiagra with the new ones and what an improvement. The whole shape is more comfortable and shifting is much smoother, makes the old Tiagra feel realy clunky.
    Also the Bikeradar test says there is no trim feature but there certainly is on mine ?
    Also i like the indicator showing which gear i am in.
    It's going to be down to your personal preference regards how they both look.
    He is not the messiah, he is a very naughty boy !!
  • Gragi
    Gragi Posts: 448
    Hi
    I'd recommend new tiagra. I switched from 9 speed 105 to these at christmas and find them much better in terms of comfort and the shifting is as good if not better - I wish shimano would produce an 8-speed version in same design for my other bike!
  • John C.
    John C. Posts: 2,113
    Gragi wrote:
    Hi
    I'd recommend new tiagra. I switched from 9 speed 105 to these at christmas and find them much better in terms of comfort and the shifting is as good if not better - I wish shimano would produce an 8-speed version in same design for my other bike!

    If Shimano made a tiagra type shifter for 8 speed I'd buy it for my 7 speed winter hack bike. As it is I don't like Sora brake levers and I can't shift up whilst on the drops so I'll stick with my old down tube shifters which work very well.
    http://www.ripon-loiterers.org.uk/

    Fail to prepare, prepare to fail
    Hills are just a matter of pace
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    Gragi. Why wish for 8sp STIs. They would be no cheaper than 9sp so get them next time you need to change your chain and cassette. Go 9sp and get the better comfort with an extra gear thrown in. Don't forget that the STIs are the most expensive part of a gear upgrade. Cassette and chain are service items that wear out and need replacing anyway.
    My Fleet.
  • aztecboy
    aztecboy Posts: 384
    Ummmed and ahhed about 105s but then bought the new Tiagras, very positive, very happy.


    Ted

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... highlight=
    aztecboy
  • aracer
    aracer Posts: 1,649
    John.T wrote:
    Gragi. Why wish for 8sp STIs. They would be no cheaper than 9sp so get them next time you need to change your chain and cassette. Go 9sp and get the better comfort with an extra gear thrown in. Don't forget that the STIs are the most expensive part of a gear upgrade. Cassette and chain are service items that wear out and need replacing anyway.
    Or just buy 9-speed STIs and use them with an otherwise 8-speed drivetrain with the "old Dura-Ace" mod - see http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3946
  • Gragi
    Gragi Posts: 448
    Thanks for the tips - feel like I've hijacked the topic! :oops: Sorry! :D

    I've got to be honest I like 8-speed - like the thicker chain, fact I can comfortably use all 16 gears without any problem etc . In a way I prefer it to 9-speed (havent' ever used 10 speed so cant comment on this).

    The "old Dura ace" suggestion above looks interesting...sounds like a project for later in the year...
  • Gragi
    Gragi Posts: 448
    I've just had another read including Sheldon Brown article on rerouting the cable (hubbub shimano in acracer's link) and this looks very promising - probably easier than laying my hands on an old dura ace derailleur... I just happen to have an old 9 speed Tiagra derailleur lying around as well...

    If this works then there'll be a nice set of 8-speed STIs for sale... (not Sora - these are ST R500s - shift in the same way as 9 and 10 speed shimano)... :D
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    There are no problems with 9sp chain and the cassette is the same width so you can still use the same gears. Your current mech will work fine with 8 or 9sp. Fit the STIs with the cable re-route mod. When your chain / cassette needs replacing just get 9sp and reverse the mod.
    The chain line is not very different with 8, 9 or 10sp as the 8 and 9 cassettes are the same width and the 10 is only about 1mm wider. Best to avoid big/big and small/small with all of them. I still end up using both at times though.
    My Fleet.

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