Deore v Tiagra

sophidog

have been looking at the Colnago Freedom bike which last year had Deore components but on Evans site for 2011 has Tiagra. I posted them a question asking if this was effectively a downgrade and here is their reply:-
Shimano, as you know, make components which differ in quality. The Deore qualification is a particular quality standard set some way above entry levels groupsets. However, groupsets above Deore can also be said to be Deore components in that they have achieved Deore standard but are also of a higher quality.

The Tiagra group is of a standard considerably higher than standard Deore but can also be classed as Deore because it meets than standard, but in this case surpasses it.

The Tiagra set on this Colnago is excellent quality and represents real performance as befits a bike of this standard.
Am i right in thinking that the drivetrain has been down-specced?

nicklouse

not really. they are much of a muchness at that level.

I would say no change. in that the levels below Deore are worse than Tiagra.
and the kit below Tiagra is worse than Deore.

whyamihere

As Nick says, Tiagra and Deore are of a pretty similar level. Deore's MTB kit, Tiagra's for the road.

sophidog

thanks for the replies, just have to remind the missus that my birthday's coming up in 3 months! Plenty of time to develop the strategy............

The Rookie

As has been said much of a muchness in terms of 'quality' but as Tiagra is road biased it is (from the couple of components I've checked) a little lighter, so as long as you don't need the extra 'robustness' of MTB kit I'd probably consider it a slight upgrade, and it looks 'prettier' as well!

Simon

nightoff

Don't know too much about Deore, but the latest Tiagra stuff ie excellent imho. I have over 800 all weather miles on my grouppo with not a single problem. The gear change is still as slick as the day I rode it out of the shop.
The initial set up was spot on as I haven't had to fettle a single thing. I just clean it every other week and give it some lube.

notsoblue

whyamihere wrote:

As Nick says, Tiagra and Deore are of a pretty similar level. Deore's MTB kit, Tiagra's for the road.

^This. I've got Deore on my hybrid. It also has a more "roadie" cassette. The result is that theres a bit more of a gap between the cassette and the derailleur at lower gears than there would be if it was Tiagra. No perceptible difference to the ride though AFAICS

Headhuunter

God. Is it just me or is that response from Evans is the biggest incomprehensible pile of marketing gobbledigook you have ever seen?

tx14

Headhuunter wrote:

God. Is it just me or is that response from Evans is the biggest incomprehensible pile of marketing gobbledigook you have ever seen?

not just you.

The Rookie

Its a great big steaming pile of poo, yes!

gbsahne001

ATB deore hub with Tiagra cassette; much nicer than what it replaced.

nwallace

MTB stuff used to be simple

Deore
Deore LX
Deore XT
Deore XTR

Chuck in a few lower levels and then stuff for heavier usage (downhill,. freeride) to confuse it a bit too but still essentially the above.

Road is still
Sora
Tiagra
105
Ultegra
Dura-ace

Puts Tiagra and Deore about the same level, and they can get away with poorer quality on Road (Sora)

The Rookie

nwallace wrote:

MTB stuff used to be simple

Deore
Deore LX
Deore XT
Deore XTR

Chuck in a few lower levels and then stuff for heavier usage (downhill,. freeride) to confuse it a bit too but still essentially the above.

Not forgetting STX and DX of course......

STX is between Deore and LX, never have figured where DX went!

Simon

whyamihere

The Beginner wrote:

nwallace wrote:

MTB stuff used to be simple

Deore
Deore LX
Deore XT
Deore XTR

Chuck in a few lower levels and then stuff for heavier usage (downhill,. freeride) to confuse it a bit too but still essentially the above.

Not forgetting STX and DX of course......

STX is between Deore and LX, never have figured where DX went!

Simon

STX hasn't really existed for years. The closest comparison that's still current is Alivio.

DX was the BMX parts.

The Rookie

My daughters commuter has STX parts from a 2006 Giant, OK 4 years is 'years', but it's not that long ago. Some STX parts are still available new if you look (http://tribesportsshopping.co.uk/products?q=stx), price wise between Deore and LX.

Simon

whyamihere

The Beginner wrote:

My daughters commuter has STX parts from a 2006 Giant, OK 4 years is 'years', but it's not that long ago. Some STX parts are still available new if you look (http://tribesportsshopping.co.uk/products?q=stx), price wise between Deore and LX.

Simon

Well I've clearly not been keeping up with Shimano kit as well as I thought I was...

STX appears to be the small range of decent 8 speed stuff, to appease retro grouches.

nicklouse

STX was a 1996 year release and STX rc was the lowest lever seamed suitable for racing and compared with Deore a few years later. they do still appear on bikes as the bike companies use up old stock.

and yes you can still buy some "new" from shimano as they still have some stock.

The Rookie

The STX kit (not sure if its rc or not without getting cold) is certainly quite nicely made, the Giant was a tourer/commuter hybrid and had a full STX groupset including some nice combined brake (canti pull) /shift levers.

Simon