sora or 105

[DirtGambit]

Hi, I posted in this forum last year april http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/beginner-bike-choice-wrong.99812/

I put 812 miles logged on a mountain bike that cost £219, and probably about another 200 miles not logged as well as countless trips round my town, I ended up just keeping my mountain bike after speaking to a few on this forum, Ive since saved up £900 for my new bike for this year, Ive been looking at ribble cycles, its certainly the bike I want, I have a few questions about gear though.

Now bear in mind I want to spend the full 900, I think I deserve it after the year of biking a tank round my locale and saving up plus the wife is in full agreement , so I don't want to save money and buy something cheaper.

I see the components make a big difference to the price of the bike, I could quite easily get a carbon for £900 but it would have sora components, but to me that's a huge upgrade from "grip shift". After speaking to a friend he said shimano 105s on their alloy bikes would be better, now Im confused because even though the thought of a carbon sounds great, its not really essential, is it true Id be better off with 105s and just have an alloy bike. Ive tried his bike which has 105s and its nice but I only have grip shift to compare to and its a no brainer which one is better.

 

[redcard]

2013 Sora is perfectly acceptable, and you could always upgrade to 105 as parts wore out.

Whether you go for 105/Alu or Sora/Carbon is 6 and half a dozen. I'd probably go for carbon, but that's just personal preference.

 

[Hacienda71]

If you want to go carbon, for £840 you could get a Ribble Evo Pro Carbon with a Tiagra groupset which in the groupo between Sora and 105 in the Shmano hierachy.
Whatever you go for at that price point you should get a good bike. You will get people extolling the virtues of all frame materials. They all have differerent charateristics. No one answer is right. Think carefully though if you want a full on road bike or something a little more practical that can take mudguards and even a rack if you plan to commute on it.

 

[Peteaud]

50/50

I would try to ride both.

Personal opinion, 105 and a good ally frame.

 

[Nearly there]

Any frame alloy or carbon will feel light compared to your Mtb,I think new sora will suit you just fine on your bike as its old tiagra 9 speed if I had the choice and £900 I'd pick an alloy frame with 105

 

[Kies]

I would and did pick a decent alu frame with 105.
Look at
Giant Defy 2
Cube
Cannondale CAAD 8
Specialized Allez

To name but a few

 

[400bhp]

I would and did pick a decent alu frame with 105.
Look at
Giant Defy 2
Cube
Cannondale CAAD 8
Specialized Allez

To name but a few

Which did you choose?

 

[bainy16]

i have the specialized allez comp 2012 which is 105 and think the bike is fantastic good luck choosing a bike just try riding a few bikes and see which feels best for you

 

[Cycleops]

It's actually quite hard to spend £900 and get a 'bad' bike, in fact well nigh impossible. So whether you go for sora 105 or whatever you won't be disappointed. As Kies said there are just so many to choose from.

 

[mattobrien]

I upgraded my sora equipped alu road bike to 105. If you can get 105, then it is a good groupset.

My personal opinion would be alu and 105, rather than carbon and sora.

As has been said, why not throw you leg over a few different bikes and see what feels good.

 

[WychwoodTrev]

I have got a Specialized tarmac with 2013 sora and I feel it works just as good as my other bike with 2009 105. As most have said over £900 and you should get a good bike
Good luck and enjoy your new ride when you get it

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

Same as mattobrien, I had an alu with Sora triple (Giant SCR3) and after 4 years upgraded the groupset to 105 50/50 new and used double and its the best thing i could have one.
The power put-down and shifting is hugely different and allows me to ride he bike rather than spending so much time frequently tweaking the indexing.

So, in my opinion, go for alu with 105 rather than Carbon with Sora and an expensive upgrade down the line (£400-£500).

 

[philinmerthyr]

I went for a specialised Roubaix with Sora. I cracked a shifter after an icy fall just before Christmas so that forced an upgrade to 105s.

I'd go for the better frame. It's easier to upgrade components.

 

[Rob3rt]

A carbon frame is not necessarily going to be "better" than an alu frame, especially with such budget restraints.

 

[smokeysmoo]

so that forced an upgrade to 105s.

So you managed to persuade Mrs philinmerthyr that Shimano don't so single replacement Sora levers then?