Tiagra vs Ultegra vs Dura-Ace vs 105 vs Sora vs Compag

[trustysteed]

I'm a little confused between all these, whether they are the shifting mechanism, or the chainsets or both, and which is better? Can someone enlighten me on the finer points? This is not to start a HUGE debate on Shimano vs Campag mind, just to understand what they all are!

 

[youngoldbloke]

Have a look at 'Groupsets' on varoius suppliers websites, (PBK, Ribble, Wiggle, Parkers etc.) and you wil soon get the hang of it - basically the names relate to sets of components, which usually include the drive train - shifters, front/rear changers, chainset, chain and brakes, sometimes hubs too, at various quality levels/ price points. Generally the more you pay, the better the quality, and the lighter the components. At the top end, race quality; middle range, everyday use would be, say, 105/Veloce. Have a look at Sram too.

 

[adscrim]

I feel like I walking into some sort of trap as the question seems a little niave for someone with 1,493 posts in a cycling forum. However...

These, with the exception of Campag, are groupsets manufactured by Shimano running in order of quality from good to 'bad' Dura-Ace, Ultegra, 105, Tiagra and Sora. Groupsets can essentailly be thought of as the bits that turn a frame into a bike.

Campag is also a manufacturer of groupsets of varying degrees of beautifulness.

As to which is better - probably SRAM...or perhaps it comes down to personal choice.

 

[adscrim]

it's like buses, you wait for and hour...

 

[youngoldbloke]

I feel like I walking into some sort of trap as the question seems a little niave for someone with 1,493 posts in a cycling forum. However...
yes - I just noticed that .....

 

[addictfreak]

I run SRAM X9 on my MTB and Shimano Ultegra on my roadie. Im very happy with both. Never tried campag though.

 

[trustysteed]

These, with the exception of Campag, are groupsets manufactured by Shimano running in order of quality from good to 'bad' Dura-Ace, Ultegra, 105, Tiagra and Sora.

Thanks! that kind of makes more sense now. Are SRAM a third manufacturer after Shimano and Campag?

Re the ? after so many posts, I'm quite happy to hold my hand up and admit that I'm more a casual rider, someone who just enjoys riding bikes, rather than having the knowledge of all the ins and outs of everything on a bike! But now and then I like to find out a bit more about stuff and I know there's more than enough people on here who really do care about such detail to share that knowledge with me.

 

[MajorMantra]

Thanks! that kind of makes more sense now. Are SRAM a third manufacturer after Shimano and Campag?

Yes. They're relatively new (a few years) to road componentry but they've been doing MTB stuff for ages. Their road stuff has been very successful because at a given price point there stuff tends to be lighter than the competition. Also, they make what is currently the lightest groupset on the market - SRAM Red.

Their groups (in ascending order of price and lightness) are Rival, Force and Red.

Campag goes Veloce, Centaur, Athena, Chorus, Record, Super Record. You'll sometimes come across Xenon and Mirage which are two budget groups that are no longer current.

Btw Adscrim, you missed Ultegra SL (between DA and Ultegra) and 2200 (below Sora) from that list.

Matthew

 

[Gerry Attrick]

This may help, but it is not totally up to date:

Shimano's Parts Hierarchy
　
This information is for those people who are looking to buy a new bicycle or are wanting to upgrade their old one.Understanding these gradings will give you greater knowledge of what makes a bike the price and style that it is.
MOUNTAIN BIKES
SIS 5SPEED/6SP/7SP.
ALTUS 7SP.
ACERA 7SP/8SP.
The above (3) are mainly used on bikes that are used on weekends,bike path riding and some commuting bikes.
ALIVO 7SP/8SP.
DEORE 9sp.
These (2) are used a lot by people who commute most days as well as for bikes which are ridden on weekends. This componentry is suitable for off road use and is generally a good starting point for racing components.
DEORE LX 9SP.
LX is a very good quality component which is well weighted and designed. LX is mainly used for serious recreation and racing. As well as for those people who want a very stable and strong commuting bike.
DEORE XT 9SP.
XT is once again a very smooth and reliable group set, used on many racebikes as well as top end town bikes. XT is remarkably strong and very durable as well as being a delight to use.2004 saw a big change in LX when the hollow tech 2 crank set was introduced, as well as the introduction of the rapid shift levers
DEORE XTR 9SP.
XTR is predominately used on top end race bikes. It is very light and smooth, however it does require some maintenance as it is such a precision made component.XTR also has the Hollow tech 2 crank set with an awesome disc brake and wheel set being available
The above groupsets are how we in the bicycle industry group the qualities of parts, meaning the parts on the bike such as gears , brakes, hubs, cranks etc., to a bike. For example a bicycle with an Alloy frame and ALIVO components will vary in price from $500 -$700 depending on the other components such as rims, handle bars, seats and forks. What we are trying to show you is that there is a method to the madness.
ROAD BIKES.
SIS.
SORA.
SIS is not found on many road bikes now.However Sora is extremely popular. Many general commuting and entry level road bikes will be Sora equipped. Sora has STI levers and a very reliable gear and braking system, without being to pricey. Sora is a 8sp group set and will come on bicyles ranged between $700-$1200.
TIAGRA.
Tiagra is the first road group set that is 9sp. Tiagra is used a lot by road cyclists that want the reliablity and smoothness of 9sp without the price tag.
105.
This is a very commonly used component set a lot of top road bikes and training bikes will be equipped with 105 as it is exceptionally smooth in its changes and a very durable and reliable group set. 105 is a 9 or 10sp group set and its body predominantly made of alloy, thus making it very light.People who want good stuff that will last this is it.
ULTEGRA.
Once again used a lot for top end racing. Not often used for training bikes, however it is durable enough to do so. Very smooth and very light on its actions. This means changes with little effort.
DURA ACE.
The top of the line. Fairly expensive for the general rider, but verrrrrry nice.Dura Ace has been converted into a 10sp system, with massive changes to the levers and crank sets, both so much smoother and lighter to use.Ride it and you will understand.

 

[trustysteed]

Thanks MM and GA, that's excellent info and what I was looking for to understand.