Shimano Sora vs 105
#76
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The initial generation of 5800 was a step back IMO. The front derailleur has a tendency to cause over-shift situations very easily compared to 5700 and was much more sensitive to height over the big chainring than previously. They tried something new with the longer lever arm and FD-5800 just did not work very well, they also didn't last very long. We were getting FD-5801 way earlier than I expected. The improved derailleur is much better but AFAIK is not as widespread on OEM bikes, yet. The shifting both front and rear was also not nearly as crisp and tactile as 5700 or even the updated lower end groups. Rear shifter has a tendency to shred cables and this ends up with fragments that contaminate both the housing and shifter body. Any cable replacement for 5800 will almost always require a housing replacement as well. This gets expensive when the cables only last 3,000 miles. Both R3000 and R4700 shift much better, this means both faster and with better tactile feedback to the fingers. 5800 shifters just didn't last as long either, our high mileage guy had his wear out in a little less than a year, something like 14,000 miles and his were done. Previously he'd been using 5700 and they'd gone at least twice as long. I'm working on another 5800 bike that has shifting issues that haven't been fixed by housing, cable and derailleur replacement that most likely will be a shifter issue - less than 10,000 miles on that one.
Sorry if this is confusing or hard to read; my wheelhouse isn't made from words so sometimes I have problems.
Sorry if this is confusing or hard to read; my wheelhouse isn't made from words so sometimes I have problems.
#77
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A bike with a Sora groupset is in my opinion always a budget bike. For someone getting into cycling, it is still more than enough. After riding for a year or more you will be able to tell what kind of cyclist you are and what your next bike could look like. I'd save the cash, in fact, the just bought the wife a new bike equipped with Sora for the same reason.
#78
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I have a 105 equipped bike and a claris equipped bike. The claris equipped bike was my first road bike and it served (and still serves) me well. It is now my winter bike. It's not as nice as my 105 bike, but my 105 bike is a higher specc'd bike in general. I can achieve the same speeds on both bikes, but is easier on my 105. That could be due to the weight (7.5ish kgs vs nearly 13kg). Get what you can afford now. At a beginner's level, you won't notice the difference. If you go with the sora, it just becomes the winter bike in a few years when you upgrade.
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I would be completely surprised if anyone could tell the difference above Tiagra level which is now the more than acceptable 6600 Ultegra level component that has filtered down. By the time you get to 105 the groupset is more than adequate by most standards and any higher verges on just saying I want an electronic groupset which is my case now. The advantages of an electronic groupset are near perfect shifts, never worrying about cross chaining and going up hills while standing on the pedals with the fear of dropping your chain and always perfect auto trimming.
So yeah to return to that... by today's standards I'd be happy to ride a Tiagra level or above bike without any real complaint what so ever.
So yeah to return to that... by today's standards I'd be happy to ride a Tiagra level or above bike without any real complaint what so ever.
Last edited by 1500SLR; 05-06-18 at 04:20 AM.
#80
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That change seemed to be primarily for two reasons: more clearance for fatter tires (gravel) and to accommodate the new cranksets with chainrings that are a little further apart (primarily to address chainline issues with disc frames). Makes sense to prioritize putting them on disc/gravel bikes rather than the typical rim brake road bike.
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Pity Shimano fumbled it; it's virtually impossible to tune a toggle-style FD so both trim positions work. At least the previous long-arm design functioned as intended on bikes where the cable came from left of the centreline (total fail on the small ring trim if not, though). And another PITA with the toggle derailers is what happens to the cable when you undo the pinch bolt, it's carnage. The onboard tension adjustment is a great idea, but that rotating bit always jams, it's a total hassle.
It looks like Shimano is giving up on accommodating cross-chaining, with the latest Di2 systems not even shifting to the smallest two cogs while on the small ring. SRAM's groovy Yaw FD makes them look silly in that regard.
It looks like Shimano is giving up on accommodating cross-chaining, with the latest Di2 systems not even shifting to the smallest two cogs while on the small ring. SRAM's groovy Yaw FD makes them look silly in that regard.
#83
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Real world experience of Sora here - I built my daughter's bike ( based on s Raleigh Pro Race frame fwiw) using Sora transmission.
Quite simply it works, and works well, and keeps working. No problems with dropped chains missing gears,, etc. No, it's not the lightest or cheapest set of components but it does what it's supposed to do.
If it was my money I'd buy the bike with Sora - it'll work, it won't let you down, and if you want to upgrade a year on you can.
Quite simply it works, and works well, and keeps working. No problems with dropped chains missing gears,, etc. No, it's not the lightest or cheapest set of components but it does what it's supposed to do.
If it was my money I'd buy the bike with Sora - it'll work, it won't let you down, and if you want to upgrade a year on you can.
#84
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If the savings aren't that great, OP should buy the very best guns that he can for the money. You can always go cheap on the hookers, and make your own drugs and porn. Not that I have experience in these areas, obviously.
#85
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Thread dead for a year. Were you searching for "hookers" or "porn?"
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#87
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I am a big proponent of buying as high quality as you can afford that is not to the point of diminishing returns. To me that is often in the middle, but more likely in the upper middle for most things. For me, thinking long term, that would be 105 components. I am sure Sora, and Tiagra are fine for most uses, but if you fine yourself growing, 105 will not let you down, and I think offers the most bang for the buck.
#88
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I go with the 105 if the price difference is easily affordable over the Sora. Having said that, Tiagra is a very competent middle ground. I believe there is a larger gap between Sora and Tiagra than between 105 and Tiagra.
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