Granted Tiagra is nice, however not as nice as 105 - getting back on my 4700-equipped road bike the up-shifts feel almost disturbingly / unacceptably heavy compared to the R7000 on my gravel bike.
That's a bit of a sweeping statement.
I have a 2015 bike with a Tiagra drivetrain (not the full gruppo of wheels, seat post, bars, stem, just the drive trains) and it is virtually identical in appearance to the 2012 105 on another of my bikes in appearance.
Other than the longer lever throw of the Tiagra, which I prefer with my big hands, they also perform identically. With a blindfold (not recommended as you woukd likely fall off) you would never know the difference bar the feel at the levers.
But here's the 'but'...
These different levels are but 3 years apart before becoming essentially identical. How will Tiagra ever benefit from the same technical trickle-down over the model years if there is no mechanical system above it with which to bequeath its tech?
I've nothing against e systems, but it's not for me. I'm not one into technology for the sake of it, having only got my first smart phone in May as I was struggling to get a decent dumbphone any more. The e gears were nice, but didn't knock a single second off of any of my rides so with no practical benefit I can't be arrissed, what is the point? I'm too old for willy wagging or pub boasting about kit, so how does it benefit me? It simply doesn't.
I'm far, far from being alone in wanting quality but with simplicity of design, function, maintenance and repair, and Shimano have taken the decision not to service this sizeable sector any longer, and now profits are markedly down.
