simonsez

My LBS currently has both of these bikes in my size and in stock. I can afford the 105 but in Canada the price difference between the two (after taxes) is $1,017 (about $775 USD).

Below are the major differences between the 2:

Sora Model: Promax Decoder R Mechanical brakes; Front & Rear Sora derailleur - 2x9; Sunrace Cassette; FSA Adventure Bottom Bracket; Tempo Adventure Crank; RD 2.0 rims

105 Model: 105 Hydro Disc brakes; Front & Rear 105 derailleur - 2x11; Shimano 105 Cassette; FSA Omega Bottom Bracket and Crank; WTB ST i23 Tubeless-Ready rims.

So my question, I don't know enough about parts and upgrading labour costs but would I be able to make the Sora better than the 105 by spending $1000 in upgrades?

Thank you for replying!

Elvo

No that is not worth $1000. I would buy the sora one and replace the brakes with $100 TRP Hy-Rds asap

Steve B.

105 has better wheels, hydro brakes, better crank, 11 spd.

Would it cost you $700 to get the Sora up to the 105 level ?, easily. Wheels alone are about $450. Best price I see for a 105 upgrade - shifters/calipers/F&R derailers/cassette & chain is $627. Then another $130 for the FSA crank.

You could sell the Sora parts as new on e-bay, hard to say what kind of money you'd make back.

The 105 is the better deal unless you choose to stay with some of the Sora parts like the wheels, even then it's close.

mstateglfr 

If it isnt a financial issue to pay more, then yes I would say $775 for a 105 drivetrain, better brakes, and better wheels is worth it.

The brakes are going to be much better. TRP hyrd brake are...meh. The cable hydraulic brakes I have, juintech, are also...meh. They stop me fine, but i cant say its any better than trp spyre or other properly set up cable actuated disc brakes. Ive putzed around on 105 hydraulic brakes and they are very nice.
2 more cogs means tighter spacing shifts with 105, which is great to have. A higher quality wheelset that is tubeless ready is nice to have. The crank for the 105 is lighter too.

All that is worth $775 to me.

But the Sora bike will work great and is a solid value from a major brand.

msu2001la

"Worth it" is a very subjective statement.
From my perspective, $775 seems like a reasonable cost to get a 105 hydro groupset and nicer wheels. Sora works fine, it's just a bit heavier and 9sp vs 11sp, the shifting is a little more clunky, etc. I'm also not a fan of mechanical disc brakes. It will feel entry level, but if your goal is to just get out and ride, it'll definitely work. If you're on a budget and just starting out, that $775 would go a long ways towards buying shoes, pedals, kit, helmet, etc.

Unless you're willing to spend like $10k+ on a bike, there's always going to be a version that's lighter, faster, has a higher end groupset, has more features, etc. Only you can decide where the line is. Personally, if I were buying a Topstone, I'd go for the Carbon Ultegra model ($3300 USD) mostly because I don't think I'd want an aluminum gravel bike, and the Ultegra model is "only" $550 more than the Carbon 105 model.

simonsez

Thanks for the replies guys, it sounds like paying the extra 1k for the 105 is probably worth it now and down the road. I need to make a decision soon before they sell out!

thehammerdog

honestly the fun value will be improve slightly as the liggter better stuff.
so no.

Fuzzy_Dunlop

If you're planning to keep your bike a long time, I would definitely spend the extra cash and buy the 105-equipped bike. It's a bombproof, tangibly better drivetrain than Sora - as are hydro brakes over mechanical ones - to say nothing of the wheels. 5 years from now, you're not likely to regret or even remember spending an extra grand on an already expensive bike. $1,000 over 5 years is $200/year - less than $20/month. Buy the best bike you can afford now, and go from there.

Steve B.

And as note that I had a hard time finding a website for a shop in the US that listed a price, as all these bikes are seemingly sold out everywhere. Grab the 105 as quickly as you can before the shop owner is offered a higher price !

sdmc530

If you got the cash to splash they hard YES its worth it. The sora bike is fine, don't get me wrong its a good bike. I have a bike with Sora on it, no issues. But after my second bike is 105, I wouldn't ever not have 105. its just better.

Neither will likely cause you any trouble and both will be fine bikes, but I do value the 105 over the sora and the price would be worth it to me!

Longfellow02

I faced the same decision point as you. Although I already had a Trek Domane with Shimano 105, so was 'spoiled' in that way.

I went to the LBS and test rode the Topstone Sora. I did not like the way it shifted, and I also wanted full hydraulic brakes.

So I ordered a Topstone 105 AL in size L It took several weeks to get it delivered to the shop. I've had it now about a week and love it.

As mentioned, act soon. I was told I got one of the last Topstone 105's in size L.