Upgrading Sora Components
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Upgrading Sora Components
I am looking to upgrade my 11x28 cassette to a 11x32 to make those long climbs a bit more manageable. I ride a Trek 1.2 with all of the original Sora components. I'm wondering if I should look into upgrading any other components while I'm at it.
I have a newer gravel/commuter bike that I ride daily with SRAM Apex components so when I switch back to the Trek, the sora shifting feels a bit clunky in comparison. Other than more gearing for climbing, what components should I focus on for smoother shifting? I'm hoping I can mix and match components without investing in an entirely new group set... Thanks!
I have a newer gravel/commuter bike that I ride daily with SRAM Apex components so when I switch back to the Trek, the sora shifting feels a bit clunky in comparison. Other than more gearing for climbing, what components should I focus on for smoother shifting? I'm hoping I can mix and match components without investing in an entirely new group set... Thanks!
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the rear derailleur may not work with an 11-32. I wouldn't piecewise upgrade but either a new shimano sora or tiagra groupset are cheap and work so much better than older versions. They have the same ergonomics of the upper tier 105/ultegra with hidden cables and smaller hoods.
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I have Sora on an 8 spd bike with 24,000 miles. I find it shifts fine, smooth and quiet. But I found earlier, with only a few thousand miles on the bike, the rear derailler pivot was worn letting the cage flop from left to right by quite a bit. This caused the jockey wheel to be somewhat misaligned and in turn, very sloppy shifting. I replaced it with an Ultegra derailler that has now been on the bike for, probably, 18,000 trouble free miles. I recommendation you have a close look at the derailler.
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Replace the chain with the cassette.
Sorry that's not the advice you're looking for, I can't say anything on that front. But it's still good advice if the chain has many miles on it.
Sorry that's not the advice you're looking for, I can't say anything on that front. But it's still good advice if the chain has many miles on it.
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I have Sora 3500 brifters on a drop bar 29er, shifting a Shimano SLX RD. Clears 12-34 readily...
#6
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My wife wanted a larger rear option on her 9 speed tiagra triple and the RD wouldn't accommodate a sprocket larger than (I want to say 26, it wasn't very big at all) so I had to get a MTB derailleur.
She's been *****ing about the shifting on her bike for a while now (it's a moving target for her mechanic... me) and the rear is shifting great but the front is problematic so now I'm thinking of just upgrading the whole damn drive train to 105 or something BUT... no more good deals on shimano drive trains and do you really want to put an expensive drive train on a not very expensive frame? Nothing wrong with it of course, so now I'm perusing new bikes. That would put her at 2 and make my repair efforts simpler so i'm tempted to go that route.
Anyway, there's not a HUGE difference between 28 and 32 but if you need it, you need it. Look at the max cassette tooth capacity and the total take up capacity of the RD to make sure it can handle your new cassette.
She's been *****ing about the shifting on her bike for a while now (it's a moving target for her mechanic... me) and the rear is shifting great but the front is problematic so now I'm thinking of just upgrading the whole damn drive train to 105 or something BUT... no more good deals on shimano drive trains and do you really want to put an expensive drive train on a not very expensive frame? Nothing wrong with it of course, so now I'm perusing new bikes. That would put her at 2 and make my repair efforts simpler so i'm tempted to go that route.
Anyway, there's not a HUGE difference between 28 and 32 but if you need it, you need it. Look at the max cassette tooth capacity and the total take up capacity of the RD to make sure it can handle your new cassette.
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Sora was updated in 2016, and you linked a 2014 model Trek. If you do swap out the cassette, and if you do need a new RD mid-size to accommodate, I guess make sure if you get the newer Sora 3000 stuff, that it works with your older model shifter.
#8
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How much money would you be spending to do this? You could do the bare minimum in your garage for maybe $150 I imagine, by buying the chain, derailleur, cassette and tools online. However, if you're planning on upgrading more, such as shifters, or taking the bike to the shop to get it done, it might make more sense just to see what new Tiagra or 105 level bikes are available on clearance. I can't imagine a shop charging less than $3-400 for the parts and labor of upgrading to a 105 rear derailleur, cassette, chain, shifters, new cables/housing and bar tape. At that point, a clearance Tiagra bike might not be too much more of a reach.
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Chain wrap is probably OK with a Sora DR though, the short cage is 37 which should just handle the 50/34 chain rings with 11/32 cassette. You might clean up shifting a bit with new cables, check the DR hanger etc, "crispness" if that's important you have to buy. My 2cents: upgrade if you want more gears.
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How much money would you be spending to do this? You could do the bare minimum in your garage for maybe $150 I imagine, by buying the chain, derailleur, cassette and tools online. However, if you're planning on upgrading more, such as shifters, or taking the bike to the shop to get it done, it might make more sense just to see what new Tiagra or 105 level bikes are available on clearance. I can't imagine a shop charging less than $3-400 for the parts and labor of upgrading to a 105 rear derailleur, cassette, chain, shifters, new cables/housing and bar tape. At that point, a clearance Tiagra bike might not be too much more of a reach.
I live in Denver and plan to attend veloswap in a few weeks and will be keeping an eye out for good deals on components.
Last edited by kvwall23; 10-22-19 at 09:17 AM.