Sora vs Tiagra vs 105
Comments
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I consider 105 the minimum for serious cycling just for the 11 speed. Tiagra is pretty good too, but i would never go lower than that.0
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YiannisM wrote:I consider 105 the minimum for serious cycling just for the 11 speed. Tiagra is pretty good too, but i would never go lower than that.
Do you really need those extra 2 sprockets though over the 9 on Sora? My 11-32 set on my Sora seems decent for flat and climbs and can't say I notice any major gaps where an extra gear would really help.
Don't get me wrong I'm sure once you have those gears you come to love and use them - but does the average cyclist really need them? That is the question? It's a lot of money for the extra gears but does it really make the difference?0 -
myideal wrote:YiannisM wrote:I consider 105 the minimum for serious cycling just for the 11 speed. Tiagra is pretty good too, but i would never go lower than that.
Do you really need those extra 2 sprockets though over the 9 on Sora? My 11-32 set on my Sora seems decent for flat and climbs and can't say I notice any major gaps where an extra gear would really help.
Don't get me wrong I'm sure once you have those gears you come to love and use them - but does the average cyclist really need them? That is the question? It's a lot of money for the extra gears but does it really make the difference?
Depends what you want to do, for commuting, or rides 40-50 km on not very high pace maybe are not important, but its not just the 11 sprockets, is the way that gears are changing and the feeling. For example i didnt felt any deference from ultegra, and the new tiagra is better than 2012 105 with 10 sprockets but 11 is noticeable better, still good enough but the gap from Sora is big. The shifting is so smooth and precise with out noise.
Even that the cyclist is the most important. On my weekend rides that can be from 90-150km with elevation up to 2000m one guy has sora but it doesnt seem to holding him back. Still when i gave him my bike with 105 he said that as soon as he manage to save some money will upgrade his bike.0 -
I wonder if a lot of the difference is more down to the cassette than anything else. I have the latest 2016 Sora on my bike and recently changed my cassette to an Shimano XT one and noticed a big improvement in shifting.YiannisM wrote:myideal wrote:YiannisM wrote:I consider 105 the minimum for serious cycling just for the 11 speed. Tiagra is pretty good too, but i would never go lower than that.
Do you really need those extra 2 sprockets though over the 9 on Sora? My 11-32 set on my Sora seems decent for flat and climbs and can't say I notice any major gaps where an extra gear would really help.
Don't get me wrong I'm sure once you have those gears you come to love and use them - but does the average cyclist really need them? That is the question? It's a lot of money for the extra gears but does it really make the difference?
Depends what you want to do, for commuting, or rides 40-50 km on not very high pace maybe are not important, but its not just the 11 sprockets, is the way that gears are changing and the feeling. For example i didnt felt any deference from ultegra, and the new tiagra is better than 2012 105 with 10 sprockets but 11 is noticeable better, still good enough but the gap from Sora is big. The shifting is so smooth and precise with out noise.
Even that the cyclist is the most important. On my weekend rides that can be from 90-150km with elevation up to 2000m one guy has sora but it doesnt seem to holding him back. Still when i gave him my bike with 105 he said that as soon as he manage to save some money will upgrade his bike.0 -
OP - check shifter reach. It used to be only 105 could be brought closer to the bars. If you've smallish hands try the bike in the shop first (with winter gloves aa well!).0
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myideal wrote:I just wish power meters or better still power meter peddles were cheaper as that tech i can see anyone of any ability making use of to improve.
Amen to this. The biggest thing is if you KNOW your ftp, your 5 minute power, your 1 minute power, etc....then you can really keep yourself honest out on the open road.
Without power or HRM on the road, perceived exertion is difficult. "Oh, man, that last hill. I need an easy spin for a couple miles now." Where the training numbers would say "get your fat arse moving!"0 -
burnthesheep wrote:myideal wrote:I just wish power meters or better still power meter peddles were cheaper as that tech i can see anyone of any ability making use of to improve.
Amen to this. The biggest thing is if you KNOW your ftp, your 5 minute power, your 1 minute power, etc....then you can really keep yourself honest out on the open road.
Without power or HRM on the road, perceived exertion is difficult. "Oh, man, that last hill. I need an easy spin for a couple miles now." Where the training numbers would say "get your fat ars* moving!"
Nothing beats having that voice in your head or better a trainer or real friend shouting: "Get yet f*** a*** up!! No pain, no surrender, no Glory!"0 -
Bozman wrote:thescouselander wrote:Underbar cable routing really detracts from the quality of shifting. That's why I'd say Tiagra is the best out of the three as it's 10 speed and should have the best shifting. If neat cables are the overriding factor then go for 105.
+1... if the new 10 speed Tiagra is the old 105.
Could you explain the reason for this? My 105 does seem much harder to index perfectly than my tiagra or whatever my commuter bike is.0 -
ShimanoBottomBracket wrote:Bozman wrote:thescouselander wrote:Underbar cable routing really detracts from the quality of shifting. That's why I'd say Tiagra is the best out of the three as it's 10 speed and should have the best shifting. If neat cables are the overriding factor then go for 105.
+1... if the new 10 speed Tiagra is the old 105.
Could you explain the reason for this? My 105 does seem much harder to index perfectly than my tiagra or whatever my commuter bike is.
I have not ever read research stating that underbar cable routing detracts from the quality of the shifts. In fact, the tech is effective these days with the protective covers and the slick interiors.0 -
On the power meter issue I am surprised that we have not seen cheaper mass market options appear.
Even something that isn't 100% accurate, however maybe 80% is enough if its cheap enough to take the idea to the masses. It's the big break through tech that will make someone some serious money if they crack it.0 -
I can't think of anything worse than a PM that would be that inaccurate. How would you ever know whether it is under-reading your power or over? The benefit of a PM is that the results need to be reproducible and consistent, I'd never get that if one day it thinks I'm doing 240w and the next day it claims I'm doing 160w despite pushing 200w in both casesmyideal wrote:On the power meter issue I am surprised that we have not seen cheaper mass market options appear.
Even something that isn't 100% accurate, however maybe 80% is enough if its cheap enough to take the idea to the masses. It's the big break through tech that will make someone some serious money if they crack it.0 -
My 1st bike had Claris gearing and i was happy with that. When i switched to 105 5800 11 Spped i noticed the better shifting, but i put that solely down to having more gears therefore less of a jump between the cog sizes, if for example the Claris had 11 gears i doubt the shifting difference would be as noticeable.
With regards to weight, IIRC the Ultegra RD is heavier than the 105 one.
When upgrading i was umming and ahhing about 105 or Tiagra, obviously i went with the 105 for 2 reasons:
1. Its 11 speed and compatible with ultegra and dura ace parts; so i can mix match replacement parts i.e use a DA chain.
2. I got it for £270 (and then a further £30 discount as they sent the wrong length cranks), so in the end it was the same price as the Tiagra GS and without the £30 discount, i was happy to pay the extra for the extra gear.0 -
saftlad wrote:
I can't think of anything worse than a PM that would be that inaccurate. How would you ever know whether it is under-reading your power or over? The benefit of a PM is that the results need to be reproducible and consistent, I'd never get that if one day it thinks I'm doing 240w and the next day it claims I'm doing 160w despite pushing 200w in both casesmyideal wrote:On the power meter issue I am surprised that we have not seen cheaper mass market options appear.
Even something that isn't 100% accurate, however maybe 80% is enough if its cheap enough to take the idea to the masses. It's the big break through tech that will make someone some serious money if they crack it.
Well so long as it is constant in the readings, even if they are over or under is fine. For example if you are 240w (on a bang on accurate meter) but a cheaper one is reading 200w - well that still is fine as if i get better it may increase to 210w etc for example, so i can see progress. Of course actually im more powerful than what is being read.
It's only a problem if I'm in a cycle club trying to play big balls regarding my power as on pure figures I'm always going to be down against someone with a bang on meter. Difference is that mine would say be £200 worth compared to £1000 worth.
All hypothetical as nothing exists in the market as such yet.0 -
So I brought back to life this old thread, glad I did, its interesting that after many years - nothing has changed in the debate.
I remain happily clunking away on my older, steed, the Sora is bullet proof and no nonesense. I think I would add: Campagnolo. In comparison, their variants have good comparative weights and can offer value for money. The Sora is just so very affordable. Its about a milisecond over 1000th difference in gear changes to the top end specs of 105s mid range and Ultegra, Dura Ace or SRAMs variants. The extra weight doesnt deter me either. As all of us end up losing weight usually by the end of the season.0
