After many years of ST Campagnolo BB's I switched to Shimano external BB's a few years ago and I've had no problems in installation, removal and wear but can't claim to have noticed any difference in efficiency or shifting. A little observation is that Claris and Sora will both have steel inner rings which the OP might even prefer but pushed me towards Tiagra.
Last edited by Welshboy; 06-24-21 at 02:56 AM.