Shimano Sora 9 compact speed - any good?

[Luba]

Hi, does anyone know if this is any good going from a 2300 triple?

I quite like the thumb shift on my set up - but this makes it impossible to shift down when in the drops - it's ideal in the hoods.

Am I likely to notice and appreciate much difference by "shifting" to this new set up?

I see that all ranges from Shimano now utilize this tech. From what I have seen the new Claris, 2300 replacement uses this.

Am I just stuck in the past and with what I am comfortable with?!!

Please help

 

[Adam4868]

It's all what your comfortable with.I swapped from the thumb shift to the paddle type shifters,and I prefer them.But there was nothing wrong before and rode with thumb shifter for years.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Am I likely to notice and appreciate much difference by "shifting" to this new set up?

to CC Luba

You would probably notice an improvement in smoothness with Sora over 2300, and you should find that you require less fettling of your indexing as well.

What I mean is, IME the low end tech tends to go 'out of sync' far easier and more often than 'better' stuff if that makes sense.

Shimano gruppos are generally split into three groups, upto Sora, then Tiagra and 105 and then Ultegra upwards. However IMO Sora is the start of the 'good' stuff really, and then from Tiagra upwards the only gains are marginal weight benefits and slightly improved smoothness, none of which is particularly noticeable to the average Joe IME.

See HERE for a full list of Shimano hierarchy.

I hope none of that sounds pompous, it certainly wasn't typed that way, just telling it as it is.

 

[Luba]

Hi and thanks very much. Great no nonsense display of groupset ranges. Bookmarked when I worked out how the new Firefox layout works!

I'm stuck in the past with that too! Doesn't sound pompous at all - helpful though.

"However IMO Sora is the start of the 'good' stuff really, and then from Tiagra upwards the only gains are marginal weight benefits and slightly improved smoothness, none of which is particularly noticeable to the average Joe IME."

This is exactly my thinking too. A mate of mine just got a Sagan Cannondale replica that came with 105 gearset - the first thing he said to me that he wanted to upgrade to Ultegra - and I just thought - why?!!

I am very much an Average Joe when it comes to ability. I'd find it more embarrassing having top of the range stuff if I couldn't keep up.

Thanks for the advice - from what I have seen I can't visually see much difference between the Sora and 105 shifters in black.

 

[cyberknight]

I have just added claris shifters to an 8 speed set up and although the action is nicer how often do you shift gears on the drops ?If like me most of the tine your on the hoods then i would wait till xmas/birthday if you really want to change them as its not a real must have.

Hi and thanks very much. Great no nonsense display of groupset ranges. Bookmarked when I worked out how the new Firefox layout works!

I'm stuck in the past with that too! Doesn't sound pompous at all - helpful though.

"
This is exactly my thinking too. A mate of mine just got a Sagan Cannondale replica that came with 105 gearset - the first thing he said to me that he wanted to upgrade to Ultegra - and I just thought - why?!!

.

Because he can ?
Most of the cycling press regard 105 as the best balance of price and performance with ultegra/dura ace being a smidge better and having 11 speed rather than 10.
I actually prefer to run 8 speed for commuting as the parts are cheaper and the cassettes/chains tend to last longer.

 

[Luba]

Eh?

"Because he can ?" - perhaps I should have elaborated on his financial situation - but didn't feel the need! I will now though.

He has just spent £1000 on this new bike - which he got way under retail. He's my brother in law. His wife has just had a baby. Their housing situation is perilous, he's just spent near on £10 K on a car. And he's on about spending another £500 to replace a very good groupset for no logical reason apart from a "name" and to keep up with his buddies.

I don't want to offend you if I have misinterpreted your post! smokeysmoo post put everything in B&W context. Basically from 105 upwards it's just weight saving.

Which in reality works out as a few bags of crisps. Pretty pointless IMO.

I can get 8,9,10 speed cassettes and chains for roughly the same price. I have found the 2300 shifters to be excellent. The mechs are a different story - utter crud!

I use a 50 / 28 on my full 105 bike. That can get me up all hills - the only barrier is me! Run a 50 / 26 on my 8 speed - am sure I can make the climbs - just don't really fancy it!

This 9 speed Sora with a massive 32 should cope with anything.

Thanks for your input.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Thanks for the advice - from what I have seen I can't visually see much difference between the Sora and 105 shifters in black.

Cyberknight is bang on regarding 105 being the best compromise, and to be fair it was a fair assumption that your BIL could fund an Ultegra groupset from post #4, but clearly he can't from your post #6, so knowing what I now know I'd have to agree with you that he's clearly a bit mental

I've always been a beleiver of the Shimano trickle down effect, ie: new 105 is old Ultegra, and new Tiagra is old 105, but some people debunk this as myth. Personally I can't believe that Shimano would pay for the development of brand new parts for each groupset. Develop the top end end and let the older technology trickle down to the rest with some cosmetic changes, make total sense to me.

FWIW I've had bike with every gruppo from 105 to Dura-Ace, (never electronic.................yet!), and I can't honestly say I can really feel any difference. My current bike is full Dura-Ace 10 speed, as was my first road bike in 2007, but TBH I preferred the older Dura-Ace mechs to the ones I have now, go figure.

CK's commuting point v's component cost is also a valid one to be fair, but as I don't can't commute anyway that's a moot point for me.

 

[cyberknight]

Did you notice the question mark after i wrote it ?
Most people i know join the upgrade path because they can but most are mamils or even the lbs owner with more money than sense me who think a good set of wheels starts at about a grand !, i am definitely in another world as i can afford a whole bike at that price ... well i cant but C2W limit and all that .
To upgrade my wheels to rs11`s for £95 i had to have a sale of bits on the forums so you can see where i am coming from.

If he is doing it just to keep up with the "jonses" and he has all those other commitments then maybe he needs to get his priorities right .
In what way do you find the 2300 mech bad ? i ran 2300 for years and once it was set up right it shifted fine and did not need tweaks so maybe your 2300 mech needs to be set up right or recabling .

Like i said a bit cheaper and last longer
I think you did misunderstand me as i have ridden 2300, claris, sora, 105 , microshift and apex and thought i could offer a 1st hand experience of those systems and how they work .

 

[Luba]

I really appreciate the speedy responses guys. It's more my problem with my BIL spunking money he doesn't have TBH!

But why is it my problem? I haven't married or had a baby with the guy - LOL!!!

In my world I'd prefer to put £5K towards a house instead of £10K towards a car... maybe that's just me? Wasting £500 exchanging brand new 105 for Ultegra seems frivolous, to say the least!

"In what way do you find the 2300 mech bad ? i ran 2300 for years and once it was set up right it shifted fine and did not need tweaks so maybe your 2300 mech needs to be set up right or recabling"

It's the fact that when I bought the bike the front mech failed within 50 miles - thanks Wheelies Direct - so replaced with a cheap, £15 - 105 that CRC were doing when they were cheap and service was excellent.

In fairness the rear mech worked fine as did the chainset, which was a 53. No issues there for the price apart from square taper.

In all honesty, if it had been set up properly from the get go I doubt I'd have issues with 2300. The shifters, I have always found very good for what they are.

The other added bonus is that they are tough and very non appealing to the sub human scum that are bike thieves!

Thanks again for the replies guys - looks like I'm gonna have to learn to love these new Sora - which do look pretty damn tidy - especially for the price!

 

[cyberknight]

I really appreciate the speedy responses guys. It's more my problem with my BIL spunking money he doesn't have TBH!

But why is it my problem? I haven't married or had a baby with the guy - LOL!!!

In my world I'd prefer to put £5K towards a house instead of £10K towards a car... maybe that's just me? Wasting £500 exchanging brand new 105 for Ultegra seems frivolous, to say the least!

"

Swmbo ,spends money like its going out of fashion and i had to downsize because of debts racked up by it. Talk to your sibling married to the BIL or get your parents to if they will listen or you they could end up like me with a mortgage that ends after i retire and living hand to mouth .

 

[smokeysmoo]

Thanks again for the replies guys - looks like I'm gonna have to learn to love these new Sora - which do look pretty damn tidy - especially for the price!

Offer your BIL £50 for all his 105 stuff