How do Sora and Tiagra really compare

[vickster]

I've ridden Tiagra and it's fine (except the braking from the hoods), but never Sora. A friend is looking at Sora bikes and wondering if it's worth stretching the budget. Thoughts?

 

[smokeysmoo]

I'd always go higher if possible.

Nothing wrong with Sora but I've always considered it to be the best of the budget groupsets, and Tiagra to be the start of the best ones.

Of course if replacement component cost is likelt to be an issue then the cheaper the better I'd say.

Don't forget the trickle down effect as well, whilst new Sora isn't exactly old Tiagra, if some of it didn't trickle down the development costs would be astronimcal and no-one could afford to buy them.

 

[vickster]

Worth £200? (a 33% increase)

 

[smokeysmoo]

Worth £200? (a 33% increase)

Only your friend can decide that one vicks.

As I said I'd always get the best I can at point of purchase, but if it's going to be too much of a stretch than Sora is just as functional.

In fact I doubt you'd notice the difference in real world riding TBH, and IIRC new Sora has now done away with the horrible thumb shifts which is a good thing.

 

[potsy]

Can't imagine there would be much difference apart from the extra gear, maybe she could stretch to 105 though for the hidden cables?

 

[vickster]

Thanks guys. No don't think she'll do that...that said the 1 is the same price as the 2! (but she can get £120 of stuff with the 2)

She could get Tiagra for only £40 more but that would mean buying online...I am a proponent of buying bikes from shops if at all possible

 

[TissoT]

I suppose it also depends on the mileage she intends to cover
sora would be ok for gentle riding around

 

[vickster]

Well I've made her enter the Ride 100 ballot I doubt she'll do that many miles in reality

 

[winjim]

I have 9sp Sora on the Genesis and I find it absolutely fine although like you, my wife is finding it difficult braking from the hoods. I've not however ridden any of the other Shimano groupsets to compare it.

 

[outlash]

I did have tiagra on my CAAD8 and have sora on my CAADX and there isn't a massive gap in performance at all if they're both set up properly.


Tony.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Tiagra won't win her £200 or even £40. If she's comfy with Sora, go for Sora. The gear brand has never kept me off a bike.

 

[vickster]

Cool thanks. She's test riding a Sora Synapse on Wednesday and then assume she will make her choice

 

[MrWill]

Had the most recent Sora for about a year. Then went to the 5700 105. No difference. If anything the Sora shifted better because the cables were not contorted under the bar tape.

 

[sittingbull]

Having recently compared a 9 speed Sora crankset with a 10 speed Tiagra I'd choose the Sora and save 203g (assuming the listings I pulled the weights from were correct, they were from the same seller).

I prefer Sora shifters (with the thumb shift, and find no problem shifting down from the drops with a little wrist rotation). I would think it makes mechanical sense for the cable to exit the shifter from the side rather than under the bar tape and suspect the reason the brake pull ratios in later 10 speed shifters have changed is to allow for more stylish cable routes.

I've "hammered" my Sora groupset with over 10 000 miles including 40 centuries in 2 years and I really can't fault it, at all. My Sora equipped Allez was well used to say the least when I got it too. Just new chains and cassettes required.

 

[AndyRM]

Had the most recent Sora for about a year. Then went to the 5700 105. No difference. If anything the Sora shifted better because the cables were not contorted under the bar tape.

You need to get your 105 set up properly!

Nowt wrong with Sora IME. Even if it's not that well maintained (ahem, not that I'd know or anything) it will handle anything from long rides to commuting. Not sure the step up to Tiagra would necessarily be worth it.