2015 Sora shifters

[Tim Hall]

A friend is looking at getting a Whyte Dorset, which his LBS has at a very attractive price. One reason for this is that it's a 2015 model, equipped with Sora shifters. How agricultural, or otherwise, are Sora shifters of that vintage?

 

[cyberknight]

Are they the ones with the thumb shifter on the inside?, apart from that much of a muchness.

 

[Tim Hall]

Are they the ones with the thumb shifter on the inside?, apart from that much of a muchness.

3500 series, so no, they've got double paddles.

 

[vickster]

Friend has on her Cannondale. Very chunky hoods, a bit clunky and noisy in operation. She's added cross levers as braking from the massive hoods was difficult
Wouldn't be my choice (nor would anything else from Shimano tho)

They seem to work ok for her though (she's not one for maintenance so expect they could be better)

Get your friend test ride (as well as a bike with Tiagra or sram apex for comparison)

 

[fatjel]

I used sora 3500 and found the shifters especially the front a bit hard to work after a long ride.
That maybe cos they were setup badly. Try them and see I guess
On the plus side the short cage rear mech offa that bike now works fine with the 12/36 cassette on my hybrid

 

[Drago]

I quite like them, but I do have big hands. Finely set up with decent cables they work pretty well. Not as slick as Dura Ace, but not like a Land Rover SII gear box either.

 

[cosmicbike]

I have them on 2 bikes, one a double the other a triple. Once set up nicely they are very good and I have no complaints about their operation. The hoods are more chunky than Ultra and perhaps a little less comfy but that's personal choice.
I have SRAM Apex on my commuter and given the choice would have that over the Sora.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

All shifters work. You flick the lever and the gear changes. It changes faultlessly mile after mile after mile and will make bugger all difference to your speed or performance.

Now if a little bit of weight saving, a slightly slicker feel and better looks are important to your friend then by all means go for a bike with a groupset higher up the food chain. But if that isn't particularly important and he or she likes the bike and the price is good, don't let the badge on the shifters put him or her off. The gears will be ok.

 

[NorthernDave]

I've got them on the winter bike (which was the best bike when I bought it).
Once set up properly they work almost as nicely as the 105s on the new best bike.
They're not quite as slick and the front one can sometimes require a firmer shove when changing down the the small cog, but i've never felt particularly short changed by them.

 

[bigjim]

I have a cheapo Raleigh Airlite {brand new} with cheapo Claris groupset. It works seamlessly, very smooth and great fun to ride.

 

[bozmandb9]

A friend is looking at getting a Whyte Dorset, which his LBS has at a very attractive price. One reason for this is that it's a 2015 model, equipped with Sora shifters. How agricultural, or otherwise, are Sora shifters of that vintage?

I have a 2015 Dorset with Sora, the gearchange is sweet as, I wouldn't give it another thought. If he wants a second hand one at an even more attractive price though, let me know!

 

[vickster]

All shifters work. You flick the lever and the gear changes. It changes faultlessly mile after mile after mile and will make bugger all difference to your speed or performance.

Now if a little bit of weight saving, a slightly slicker feel and better looks are important to your friend then by all means go for a bike with a groupset higher up the food chain. But if that isn't particularly important and he or she likes the bike and the price is good, don't let the badge on the shifters put him or her off. The gears will be ok.

Hopefully she can brake effectively too. Cross levers help. That's my issue with Shimano generally, at least up to Ultegra

 

[DRM]

My winter bike has Sora fitted, it's a 2016 version, 3500 I think, double compact chainset, it's not quite as slick as the Tiagra on my best bike, but it's not that bad, as NorthernDave says the left hand one for the front chainring needs a firm push, but it works well, it's not agricultural at all, depending on what brake calipers are fitted, swapping them for some 105's would be a worthwhile upgrade.

 

[DRM]

Hopefully she can brake effectively too. Cross levers help. That's my issue with Shimano generally, at least up to Ultegra

She is actually a he, so braking shouldn't be a problem.

A friend is looking at getting a Whyte Dorset, which his LBS has at a very attractive price. One reason for this is that it's a 2015 model, equipped with Sora shifters. How agricultural, or otherwise, are Sora shifters of that vintage?

 

[vickster]

She is actually a he, so braking shouldn't be a problem.

Unless he has small hands. Mine aren't especially given I'm 5'10