Shimano shifters with thumbshifters?

[Psyclist]

Hi, so I made a thread on the 2013 Sora, but I've made this to ask a question, as to if it's worth upgrading my 2012 Sora on my new bike to be, to 2013 Sora with thumb shifters.

I've only tried SRAM Red (didn't like it) and Campy Veloce (pretty nice) on friends bikes, but only tried Shimano 2300 on my own bikes, which, as you all now doesn't have the thumb shifter set up.

Doubt I'll ever try a Shimano set up with thumb shifters, so am asking anyone who has experienced the old likes of 2300/Sora shifters and the thumb shifters such as Tiagra onwards, for opinions.

Keep in mind, I'm recreational, but enjoy sprinting too, every so often.

I'm thinking of selling the new groupo as is straight away so it's value is higher. I can also get 2013 at trade price from a friend who owns an online bike shop.

TIA.

Alex.

Old Sora shifters:

New Sora shifters:

 

[mark st1]

Im not sure what your asking ? I had a Boardman Road Race for a couple of weeks with the 2012 Sora thumb shifter buttons (as in your 1st picture ) and really didnt like it as i found i had to be in the drops to change gear (either up or down i cant remember). having used Sram Apex for a few months (which i loved) and now Shimano 105 i can now say the new Sora with the up and down shifters being in the same place (as in your 2nd picture) would be my choice all day long. so much easier to use in hoods or drops. If none of that is helpful please ignore lol

 

[Psyclist]

Im not sure what your asking ?

Thanks for the reply. Just to clarify, I want to know how the thumb shifters feel compared to the old style shifters. As in, which are more functional. Just wondering if it's worth selling my old groupo for the 2013 Sora.

 

[Peteaud]

Old sora = 8 speed
New Sora = 9 speed

I would try to ride a bike with new sora and see what feels best, but i think the swap would cost £££££££££££

 

[Rob3rt]

Thanks for the reply. Just to clarify, I want to know how the thumb shifters feel compared to the old style shifters. As in, which are more functional. Just wondering if it's worth selling my old groupo for the 2013 Sora.

The thumb shifters are what the old style shifters have, the paddle style on the new ones are worlds ahead. Especially if you ride on the drops a lot (it is also nicer on the hoods too though).

However, the new Sora is 9spd vs 8spd so you would need to revise your groupset on a larger basis than just shifters.

The second however is that I would NEVER replace a bottom end groupset with another bottom end groupset, if you are going to switch out the groupset, save some extra cash and make it worthwhile by jumping up a few, maybe to 105!

 

[Psyclist]

The thumb shifters are what the old style shifters have, the paddle style on the new ones are worlds ahead. Especially if you ride on the drops a lot (it is also nicer on the hoods too though).

However, the new Sora is 9spd vs 8spd so you would need to revise your groupset on a larger basis than just shifters.

The second however is that I would NEVER replace a bottom end groupset with another bottom end groupset, if you are going to switch out the groupset, save some extra cash and make it worthwhile by jumping up a few, maybe to 105!

I'll look into it, and understand the point of changing from bottom-bottom end groupset. I like 105 a lot, but just thinking if I can manage upgrading to 105 after selling my Sora groupo? Forgive me if it's against the forum rules, but how much would you think I'd get for an unused Sora groupset?

I already have enough to upgrade straight away to 105 (although not too keen spending that much) so depends on how much I get for the Sora groupset.

Cheers.

 

[Broadside]

I bought my bike with Sora 3400 shifters back in 2009, this was a 9 speed setup, Sora has been 9 speed for a few years now, 2300 is the only Shimano 8 speed road groupset these days AFAIK.

Sora 3400 which has the thumbshifters is good and works well but the shifts can be a bit clunky sometimes, it lacks refinement. My right hand shifter broke this summer after 7000 or so miles so I put a temporary Tiagra 5500 9 speed used shifter on it and the difference was huge, Tiagra was so much nicer but they were silly money to buy new, upwards of £180 for the old 9 speed shifters at the time which was more than I wanted to spend. I could have gone to 105 for £150 for the shifters from rose bikes.co.uk but it would have meant upgrading to a 10 speed drivetrain so I didn't bother and went for Sora 3500 (with paddle shift) instead as it only cost me £85 buying the shifters from Rose Bikes. In the back of my mind I have been thinking about a complete new bike so I don't want to start spending money on a full upgrade, I was only really looking to replace a broken part.

Sora 3500 is nicer than 3400, it is slicker to use and the shifters look almost identical to the Tiagra 5500 but they are nowhere near as refined - there is clearly some truth to the trickle down through the Shimano range as the plastic mouldings were the same but the inner workings of the shifters were clearly different to TIagra, for example Tiagra 5500 allows you to jump three gears on down shifts whereas Sora 3500 which looks the same only allows you to jump two gears and it feels much more agricultural to use. I probably wouldn't bother going from Sora 3400 to 3500 and jump to Tiagra or 105 instead but then you are going to need to replace more than just the shifters as you will end up with 10 speed, so will need a new chain, cassette, possible front derailleur etc.

 

[Psyclist]

*SNIP*.

Oh yes, I know that 105 is superior of Sora Just hoping I can make something back from selling my 9 speed Sora. If I can put a bit back in my pocket, then by all means I'll buy 105.

 

[Psyclist]

Update, I'm getting D.A shifters for £150 new but unused, so will be using those with 105 mechs on the bike. Thanks for the advice to all who posted.