sanmi

I've been using a complete tiagra 4700 group on an old steel frame for about 6 months/2000 miles and am very pleased with the experience. Shifting is a major improvement from anything else I've owned, especially in the front. Weaker brakes, 10 vs 11 speed, and weight seem to be all that set it impart from 5800 and 6800. Personally 10 speed was a plus for compatibility since I owned some nice 10 speed wheels already.

I'm planning a new build of an old frame for a rain/trailer towing bike. Considering 4700 again, possibly the triple version, but am curious about Sora 3000 and Claris 2000. Any experience with these groups? Are they just as good as 4700 but 9 and 8 speed respectively? Any other caveats?

Also, can anyone comment on front shifting of the triple version of 4600 vs the double? The front derailleur arm on the triple seems much shorter - does this negatively affect performance? By how much? I might choose an ultra compact double like 26/42 for this application if the triple is significantly less crisp.

Obviously not so worried about weight for this build, but I do appreciate function of high quality parts!

fmilovanov

I rode from Claris to 105 today, and on my opinion Claris sucks, all others are good groups. Did not feel super much difference between three, the only thing really liked about 105 is you can downshift three speeds at a time - all others only allow two.

But I am relatively new rider, riding old 3400 Sora. Plus - I think anyone else's experience is not super relevant: some won't even come close to anything lower than 105, and Claris is OK for lots of people. Got to LBS and try for yourself.

Sillyak

I have the newest Tiagra triple and find shifting very crisp both front and back. Although all my other experience is with outdated MTB groupsets. I was pretty impressed with the shifting getting on a brand new road bike.

Maelochs

I have a Taigra 4500 triple FD and mostly a 4500 set-up on one bike. it seems quite fine. I haven't had any trouble shifting in any way related to the possible length of the derailleur arm that I have noticed. Personally if I were buying new I'd get 105 because it is 11-speed compatible and rock-solid ... but Tiagra has worked for me (have some on another bike also.) if you are running a triple, 30 speeds seems like plenty ... why spend more to get three more duplicate ratios?

I haven't tried it but I hear 3500 Sora is as good as 4700 Tiagra. If I were building a triple, I would go for new Tiagra or Sora--durable, reliable, and cost-effective.

sanmi

Did you ride the new Claris (R2000)? That's the group I'm most curious about as I have read that Sora R3000 is identical to Tiagra 4700 but 9 speed. I'm curious if the same is true with the new Claris, just 8-speed, or if there are other differences.

My LBS is great, so I try not to bother them test riding a bunch of stuff when I know I'm not going to buy anything. Just trying to decide which group to order from the U.K. Stores.

datlas 

I would just get the tiagra so you can swap cassettes and rear wheels between existing bikes. The cost difference is pretty modest.

sanmi

Good point! And I am quite satisfied with the tiagra. One question still for anyone with experience with both versions is whether front shifting on the triple is just as good as the double, which has the new FD design with the longer lever.

fmilovanov

Yes, R2000. Was not too happy - it takes time to shift, probably because of longer spacing between cogs in the rear. 3400 Sora makes it better IMO.

Is R2000 so much cheaper that Sora so you're considering it?

Do you not have another LBS in your area?

redlude97

all shimano sti groups are great, yes even claris. They all shift and behave essentially the same when properly tuned. Shimano spends a lot of time on shift quality, even on lower end groups. The only gen that had slight worse shifting was 5700/6700/7900.

joejack951

Yup. I've used the current gen Claris, Sora, Tiagra, and 105 plus older gen 8 speed Sora and 9 and 10 speed Ultegra. When properly tuned, there is simply nothing material to complain about. Ultegra 6600 and 105 5800 would be my two top picks for nebulous 'shift quality' but in reality, a shift is a shift.

There is still plenty of room for poor adjustment and sloppy shifting technique, though.

And don't forget to consider this when testing bikes at an LBS: how much time do you think they spend tuning a Claris bike vs. a higher end bike? It's a pretty easy marketing move to actually ensure that the shifts on the cheaper bikes is a little rough/slow compared to the 105/Ultegra/Dura Ace bikes. Those are the bikes that make the shop real money after all.

Spoonrobot 

I love love love Sora 3500 - it was the best cheap groupset ever.

I'm sad to see it "upgraded" to under-the-wrap cable routing in it's R3000 form as that's going to lead to worse shifting performance just like 105 5800.

redlude97

huh? 5700 kinda sucked but current under cable routing on shimano is just about perfect

Maelochs

Do you actually own 5800 105?

fmilovanov

I wanted Claris, really wanted: I ride in Manhattan, sick of switching few speeds up/down on every traffic light. Tried it in 4 different shops, and everywhere was the same: too slow May be you're right, it can be tuned - but my experience so far says otherwise.

Do you know a good video how to tweak them? May be I'll go and tweak it myself

I doubt that. Latest generation - R3000, 4700, 5800 switch very quick and crisp.

PepeM

My GFs road bike has Claris and I use it pretty much everyday for commuting. Works just fine.

joejack951

Follow the Park Tool derailleur setup instructions, step by step. Works every time. If it doesn't, check and correct the derailleur hanger alignment.

rivers

One of my bikes has Claris (2400), and one of my bikes has 105 (5800). The 105 shifts smoother and slightly quicker than the Claris. However, I don't have any issues with Claris, and that bike gets beat to hell.

Spoonrobot 

I do, my personal road bike has 5800. I work at a shop and build bikes for a living as well. Since 2012, I've built hundreds of bikes featuring all the road groups Shimano offers with the exception of Dura-Ace.

Maelochs

Well, if you are having problems with 105, you are the only person on the planet having those problems.

Spoonrobot 

I did not say I was having problems. I said the under-the-wrap routing led to worse shifting than previous external routing. Shimano recognizes this issue as well and it's part of the reason they revamped their housing and PTFE cable line-up. The cable path for 5800 is extremely technical and does not lend itself to smooth shifting in the long-term.

redlude97

5800>5500/5600/5700. I've used them all extensively.

Danny01

If you are buying the group by itself, the price difference among Sora, Tiagra and 105 in minimal. I would just go 105 for the extra cogs.

As for me, I've owned 4700, 5800 and 6800. 4700 I could pick out from the 3. It has weaker springs. The shifters rattle over bumps compared to 105 and ultegra. Shifting quality was damn near equal among all 3 and sometimes 6800 felt worse than 4700 when it wasn't dialed in.

RadialHead

I’m really impressed by the Tiagra groupset on my new road bike. I had originally planned on swapping to a Ultegra/105 drivetrain I have on another bike but it probably isn’t worth the effort unless Im going to Ultegra 8000 or Di2 groupset.

FeltF2Tarmac

Exactly. But with the vast knowledge/experience with all but Dura Ace needs the help of the forum.

Motolegs

I have Tourney on a low end road bike purchased from Bikes Direct. Getting ready to turn 4000 miles and it's still chugging away.

I don't think upgrading your shifting gear would make you faster.. work on the motor!