Sora 3500 vs Tiagara 4500 brifter
#1
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Sora 3500 vs Tiagara 4500 brifter
The left brifter of my 2012 TCR is broken (A plastic part of the holding mechanism broke into two - don't think it can be reliably used even if I glue it back). So I am looking for a new (left) brifter. The Tiagara 4500 9 speed group set is what I am now using. Because I am broke I have no plan to change the derailleur. I think my options are
1) 'Downgrade' to a pair of Sora 3500. I am not sure whether it is really a downgrade.
2) Just replace the left brifter with another Tiagara 4500. This costs about half of option 1 but the problem is I didn't found any 4500 right brifter available for sale and I don't know how long the old one will last.
3) ???
I am not very knowledgeable with bikes so what would be the best option?
I suppose I also need some tutorial on how to replace a brifter.
1) 'Downgrade' to a pair of Sora 3500. I am not sure whether it is really a downgrade.
2) Just replace the left brifter with another Tiagara 4500. This costs about half of option 1 but the problem is I didn't found any 4500 right brifter available for sale and I don't know how long the old one will last.
3) ???
I am not very knowledgeable with bikes so what would be the best option?
I suppose I also need some tutorial on how to replace a brifter.
#2
Mother Nature's Son
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I will have to look, but I think I have an extra left side 4400, 9 speed brifter. Obviously, not a visual match, but a workable option. Right side is always hard to find. I guess they wear out due to the amount of use compared to the left. Let me know if you have interest and I will look. Cost of shipping only, should be the flat rate package of $8.50/8.95, whatever that rate is.
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#3
Newbie
Thread Starter
I will have to look, but I think I have an extra left side 4400, 9 speed brifter. Obviously, not a visual match, but a workable option. Right side is always hard to find. I guess they wear out due to the amount of use compared to the left. Let me know if you have interest and I will look. Cost of shipping only, should be the flat rate package of $8.50/8.95, whatever that rate is.
#4
Mother Nature's Son
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Sussex County, Delaware
Posts: 3,111
Bikes: 2014 Orbea Avant MD30, 2004 Airborne Zeppelin TI, 2003 Lemond Poprad, 2001 Lemond Tourmalet, 2014? Soma Smoothie
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Shipping it to China definitely cost prohibitive. I would probably replace both of them and have the old one for a spare. I have an Schwinn SS DBX that has mismatched shifters, right 4500 and left 4400. I have replacement for the 4400 If I decide to do that. I am actually leaning towards using the 4500's on an early 90's road bike, it has DT shifters still. I have them in friction mode and am using a 10 speed cassette with them. It shifts great, but I think I would like it more with the STI shifters, That would be a strictly 9 speed set up all the way.