Bike gearing questions
777
Member
797 days
tsilcyc posted 6 weeks ago.
I don't know about the quality of Sora or Tiagra these days but it used to be considered disposable components. I'd personally try to get 105 or above but it depends on the cost differential. Also, at the cost of upgrading, you're maybe looking at buying a different bike altogether which has higher end components.
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40
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737 days
skunkworxz posted 6 weeks ago.
A lot of folks consider 105 the workhorse of the Shimano line. I've had 105 on my commuter bike for a few years, and it holds up very well in wet/mucky (Seattle) conditions. I've also ridden bikes with Tiagra and the components were ok, but the shifting is not as reliable and you'll deal with more adjustments. Like tsilcyc said - it' considered disposable. Ultegra is the sweet spot for most, as it typically is not much more on a new bike, and it is very reliable and lighter than 105.
You could likely find last years model of the same bike with Ultegra for the same money as this years with 105. Same goes for Ultegra/Dura-Ace.
Hopefully you'll have this bike for many years - make sure you get the best components you can with the money you are able to spend on the bike. That way you can spend your upgrade money on fun stuff like carbon wheels, carbon bars, carbon shoes, etc etc :-)
89
Member
1432 days
hipfan posted 6 weeks ago.
My bike came with Sora Components and I have not had any problems with them.
I had a bike I bought around 1999 when I first started to have this idea of triathlon, and after college it got put into storage. About 4 years ago when I got serious again, I had a heck of a time repairing and rebuilding my old bike. Components didn't fit. I couldn't find wheels because my rear fork was too skinny. After a while I gave up and got a new bike.
So I wouldn't be surprised if the components were being fased out. That being said I don't mind my Sora Components. I think it would take a lot of mile mashing to wear them out.
Cheers
31
Member
198 days
chrisgood1 posted 6 weeks ago.
I work at a shop and it is true that the 9sp systems are being phased out but that does not meant that you cant get stuff for them. We work on bikes that are 10, 20, 30 years old and someone out there still makes the parts. As far as 105 it is the middle of the road and will last a long time depending on usage i have had it on my bike for 4 years and over 3500 miles and it is still going strong.
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4
Member
45 days
edywouldgo posted 6 weeks ago.
Which bike/gear combo feels better and smoother? That's the one you should pick. Smooth gears means less stress/friction = less energy to crank = longer life.
The Sora on my 2 yr old road commuter bike has had no problems even with lack of adequate maintenance. I have carbon bike that cost 6 times more with the same components ridden by Lance Armstrong...and if I closed my eyes, I'd swear the Sora was smoother in certain gears. Learned my lesson.
927
Member
261 days
TriSooner posted 6 weeks ago.
I wouldn't go lower than the 105. You are paying for durability. I mean durability that is measured in the tens-of-thousands of miles. The 105 (some say Ultegra) is the perfect middle-of-the-road product that anyone can use for a long, long time. Unless your job depends on it, no one really "needs" the super high end (SRAM Red, Dura Ace, Campy Record). I'll admit: I have full DA with FSA carbon crank. It feels no different than my full Ultegra did. (Granted, if I had unlimited $ for full-on obscene bike porn, I'd get a sexy Italian carbon-ti blend frame with full Campy Record.) Anyway, 105 is fine.
727
Member
450 days
theShiba posted 6 weeks ago.
10 speed vs. 9 speed is silly... for me, 8 speeds is plenty, but it's just a preference issue.
I think that Sora would be fine to that level of riding, but of course you are probably going to get more durability out of the 105 components.
I agree with the above sentiment that you should get the best components you can afford. If that's 105, then get 105. If you can't afford that realistically, then I wouldn't stress about having "only" Sora components. Lots of people ride them, and a decent mechanic can get it shifting plenty smooth. I haven't heard of any major durability issues with Sora components. Just keep everything clean, and keep things lubed.
230
Member
914 days
fpugsley posted 6 weeks ago.
FYI, what you are asking about is referred to as a "component group" or simply a group. So what you say when you go back in is "i want the one with the 105 group"
369
Member
374 days
Leroy Bonkers posted 6 weeks ago.
theShiba wrote:
10 speed vs. 9 speed is silly... for me, 8 speeds is plenty, but it's just a preference issue.
+1 ... I have two bikes, one 9speed and one 10speed. The additional gear on the 10 speed is not really noticeable unless you're putting on some really wide range cassette... maybe an 11-25 or 12-27.
My nine speed is a Tiagra/105 mix and works fine, but it would cost almost as much as a new bike to upgrade just the shifters and cranks.
56
Member
515 days
jperubog posted 6 weeks ago.
I think it really depends on how much you are going to be riding, and the extra money. I don't know what the upgrade cost would be to go from Sora to 105, but if you like the way the 105 shifts and you don't mind spending the extra money then you really can't go wrong with 105. As for Sora, sometimes they mix Tiagra and Sora, My wife got a bike last year with both, has put well over a thousand miles on the bike and hasn't had any problems with it yet, so I would say for a commuter bike and the occasional recreational rider, that if you can't swing the extra money for 105, Tiagra and/or Sora would be fine.
102
Member
109 days
zagfan posted 6 weeks ago.
My old bike (Trek 1000) had a Tiagra group and it was fine in the beginning. After my mileage went up I could tell that my shifting wasn't the smoothest, especially in Colorado where there are plenty of hills, which means lots of shifting. Just bought an '05 Specialized Tarmac pro with Ultegra/Dura Ace mix and can instantly tell a difference. From my experience I would recommend getting the best component group you can afford.
Another personal recommendation is to look at used bikes. I got a great deal on my new bike from a guy I work with. It had 600 miles on it and he had taken good care of it. He threw in a bunch of extras (aerobars, computer, pedals, shoes, bike pump). Could be a good way to get a good deal on a decent bike.
1636
Member
1004 days
230
Member
914 days
fpugsley posted 6 weeks ago.
Egg beaters pedals have a reputation of breaking in half at the pedal axle.
65
Member
52 days
advobwhite posted 6 weeks ago.
can somebody delete this post...accidentally put it in wrong thread.
39
Member
229 days
gshuldes posted 6 weeks ago.
fpugsley wrote:
Egg beaters pedals have a reputation of breaking in half at the pedal axle.
How does this fit in this thread? And where does the "reputation of breaking" come from? I have read many reviews of Egg Beaters, and have used them for years on my road, tri, and mtn bikes with no problems.
230
Member
914 days
fpugsley posted 6 weeks ago.
gshuldes wrote:
fpugsley wrote:Egg beaters pedals have a reputation of breaking in half at the pedal axle.How does this fit in this thread? And where does the "reputation of breaking" come from? I have read many reviews of Egg Beaters, and have used them for years on my road, tri, and mtn bikes with no problems.
well, someone asked if eggbeaters were good pedals, but they changed the question to 'please remove this post' so it did fit until someone changed their mind.
I know of a few acquaintances whose pedals snapped at the axle. they are good about warranty, but still, i dont want to be shipping them back a couple times a year.
791
Member
1486 days
toni posted 6 weeks ago.
Thanks for the input everyone! I've suggested she go the 105 route. She's gonna test ride a few more bikes and then decide.
Cheers!
Toni
-Toni
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. - FDR
I was recently asked by a friend the following and unfortunately don't have any answers for her. But I know this forum has lots of people with technical gear knowledge. Please enlighten us! :)
I did a little test driving of bikes this weekend, and found one that I think I like. However, the bike seems to come in different 'levels', which seem to be based on the components (?). It's a Specialized bike (the Dolce) , with Shimano gears and stuff.. and I learned that there are five levels of gears- the Sora, the Tiagra, the 105 and then two more that are way fancier than I would be looking at. So, I'm wondering if worth the money to get a bike with the Tiagra or 105 components, rather than the Sora (Dolce, Dolce Elite, Dolce Comp)... I plan to ride the bike to work and to the gym. Currently if I do a round trip- home-gym-work-home, it would be around 10 miles. And I'm going to do a triathlon with the bike.. but I'm not really going to do it super competitively...
Also, the guy at the Greggs bike shop (that's where I rode the Dolce Comp) was saying something about how getting the 105 would be worth it, not only because it's a better, but also because it's got 10 speeds on the one gearing, while the Sora and Tiagra only have 9 speeds, and that in a few years it'll be more difficult to replace parts, etc. on the Sora and Tiagra, because they are phasing out 9 speeds. Does that sound like a sales pitch to you or something that could be legitimate?
-Toni
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. - FDR