feejer

Could use some help or insights into the current state of bike parts. The wife and I just started riding again after a couple years, and I’ve finally decided to build myself a bike for crushed stone trail riding. My idea was to use a Tiagra groupset, but either my google-fu is weak or I have no idea how to find parts anymore. Some comments I’ve read say Tiagra is discontinued? The few individual 4700 series parts I’ve seen so far are just about the same price as 105 even. So my questions are is this just COVID related effects, or is Tiagra really being discontinued? And what are some good places to look for groupsets these days? Thanks, appreciate any insights.

squirtdad

Used to be you could get group sets via UK bike shops, that is gone now

I have not seen groupsets sold as such much on use sites in recent years

colorado cyckust has ultegra https://www.coloradocyclist.com/shim...tegra-groupset

i see these have no idea of reputation


https://www.bicyclesonlineshop.com/p...peed-groupset/

https://www.fulltrendysupply.com/pro...gaAn-HEALw_wcB

fietsbob

'Rona-19' is screwing up supply chains..

feejer

I’ve never heard of those sites either, but if my frame choice wasn’t disc I would give it a shot for a complete 4700 set from your last link. But, with as hard as these are to find everywhere else, I’m not sure it would actually be in stock for that price. Thanks for the links, I’ll keep an eye on them!

Sy Reene

A Tiagra groupset sold as a thing.. can't say I've ever seen such a thing sold anywhere. I don't think it's a Covid thing, just bike company and component maker protectionism; if these were sold at a price that makes sense, everyone would be questioning why the 'complete' bike costs what it does, 'cause it would never add up.

caloso

No, groupsets were definitely a thing. I bought a Tiagra groupset a few years ago to build up a bike for my son.

Sy Reene

Yes, groupsets were, but did they go down to Tiagra? 105 or Centaur and on up, yes I remember. Tiagra, Sora, Altus, and whatnot, can't remember seeing those sold.

caloso

I ordered it from one of the UK websites. I want to Chain Reaction, possibly Pro Bike Kit.

CliffordK

It looks like Merlin may have a few 105 groupsets that are leaking past the wall.

https://www.merlincycles.com/en-us/s...et-118524.html

There appear to be some Tiagra groupsets on Ebay.

icemilkcoffee 

You can get them off EBay all day long:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Shimano-Tiagra-4700-2X10-Speed-Full-Road-Groupset-50-34T-52-36-170-172-5-175/123962956656

tgot 

I am currently in PayPal dispute with bicyclesonlineshop over the Tiagra groupset for $142.50. The noname shipping company eventually showed "delivery". Did that mean delivered? Vendor said "still in customs, be patient" for another month. Then, stopped answering emails.

CliffordK

Hmmm... nothing particularly disturbing about the feedback other than 100% of the feedback being marked "(Private listing)".

When did you order the item?

This Cannondale "build-kit" looks nice if you want mechanical disc brakes.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-Tia...E/224110996480

tgot 

CARP! Tab misteak on my part. It is bicyclesonlineshop with the $142.50 groupset.

I edited my earlier comment. I ordered on May 15th. There was an email to resend money due to PayPal holdup, until I came back with PayPal reporting money had cleared. Then nominally shipped May 23rd. I think it was June 17th when the shipper website started saying "Delivery". Last email from them was July 5-6ish, saying lost shipping.was only after 60 days, check back late July. Late July, no responses to my emails.

CliffordK

Ok, a search for: www.bicyclesonlineshop.com review turns up a bunch of negative comments. STEER VERY CLEAR OF THAT COMPANY.

www.fulltrendysupply.com doesn't have as harsh of reviews, but nothing positive about them either. Looking at other products the company sells, it appears as if they are intentionally mislabelling US Federally regulated items as common car parts. I think I'd avoid that company too, unless you want The Bureau of ATF to descend on you.

@tgot, my guess is that company is yanking your chain until after PayPal deadlines pass. I'd still try a PayPal dispute, or a credit card dispute through your bank (although that might piss off PayPal). Try to report it as a FAKE website with PayPal and try to get them to at least block further transactions with the company.

icemilkcoffee 

Did you order it through their website? If so that has nothing to do with Ebay. I buy TONS of things on Ebay and never have any problem.

Steve B.

I've never seen a groupset sold for Tiagra, it's always been DA, Ultegra and 105 for road groups, but it's certainly possible to purchase individual parts. Universal Cycles is U.S. based and has components. Not sure about availability though.

https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...3&category=771

https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...0&category=671

Etc.....

feejer

Interesting stuff, thanks guys.

squirtdad

used to see them all the time on the UK bike sites....but as noted Shimano shut that down..... the other option people sometimes have done is buy a bikesdirect bike for the components.....but bikesdirect is mostly sold out

Sy Reene

The question nobody seems to have an answer to, is why can't (even from a US seller) a groupset lower than 105 be found to purchase? Any in the LBS business here, at least know if a Tiagra, Sora, etc. groupset is a stocking item at the distributors?

EDIT: for that matter, with the new Shimano price controls.. why is quite rare to find even the 105 and above groupsets anywhere? A visit to Excel or Competitive = 0/nada/nothing

Steve B.

To ask it a different way, how hard is it to just buy separately ?. Universal Cycles in the US has all the parts necessary as far as I can see, with my experience buying an XT Di2 group from them it was no more expensive. I think the issue is folks assume a bundled group is cheaper. Not sure that’s the case anymore. Texas Cyclesport shows 105, Ultegra and DA in assorted groups and bundles. Not sure if ANYBODY has stock currently, but that’s seemingly a worldwide issue.

feejer

I would have no problem buying parts separately, but the places I’ve looked at so far the individual prices for Tiagra are adding up equal to or more than 105. Got a lot of searching to do yet, and will probably have no choice but to wait out the supply chain problems.

Sy Reene

You could well be right.. that's really the question. Have the component makers dropped all incentives to buy their entire product group? Could explain use by some bike companies to throw oddball unmatched cranks on their bike builds.

No more packaging and presentation along these lines?

CliffordK

There seems to be a lot of noise about an increase of demand for bike components during the COVID crisis. I would think Japan and China would be able to ramp up production to meet the increasing demand. But, the USA may not be high on their priorities either.

And, of course, keeping in mind all the effort to shut down an international marketplace for components.
That, of course, is Dura Ace.

It may be that we're now seeing such a variety of options that a traditional "groupset" doesn't make a lot of sense.

Hydraulic vs Mechanical shifters.
Rim Brakes, Mechanical Disc Brakes, Hydraulic Disc Brakes
Bottom Brackets: Italian/English/BB30/PF30, others?
24mm or 30mm crank spindles.
Pedals to one's heart's desire.
Several seatpost standards, as well as non-standards.
165 (or less) to 180mm crank lengths.
A bunch of different headsets.
POWER METERS?

The true groupset will be like Wendy's "Make it like you want it".


We are also seeing "mini-groups" more popular with builders choosing shifters+front derailleur+rear derailleur, then everything else is piecemeal. Off brand cranks. Cassette of choice, off brand chain, off brand wheels and hubs, etc.

Steve B.

The individual parts for a Tiagra group, priced at Universal Cycles (U.S.), shifters, F & R derailleurs, rim brakes, crank, b-bracket, cassette chain, came out to $469. A 105 group packaged as such,is $639 at Texas Cyclesport, who is one of the less expensive US mail order vendors.