Shimano Sora shifters ?
11-05-20, 11:15 PM
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Shimano Sora shifters ?
I want to put a set of brake shifters on my 9 speed utility road bike. Since it is a beater utility bike I don't want to invest much money on the shifters. What's your opinion of Shimano Sora shifters ?
11-06-20, 06:30 AM
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Why wouldn't you try the MicroShift R9 series instead? I've used them on several builds. They're quite nice. PG
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11-06-20, 07:16 AM
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Highest end 9-speed Shimano road brifters. Less expensive than NOS 9-speed 105 or Ultegra.
I'm thinking about getting a new custom bike this winter. Since I have so many 9-speed spares, and the parts are available, I may be getting Sora on the potential new bike.
I'm thinking about getting a new custom bike this winter. Since I have so many 9-speed spares, and the parts are available, I may be getting Sora on the potential new bike.
11-06-20, 07:37 AM
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I have Sora shifters on my back up bike and I've never had a problem with them.
11-06-20, 07:52 AM
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My previous bike, a Cannondale Quick 3, had Sora shifters. No problems in the 3 yrs I had the bike other than minor adjustments. My current bike, a Cannondale Synapse, has a 105 groupset. The biggest difference, and one I view as major, is the shifter integrated into the brake lever. But, that is more personal opinion. When I had the Sora-based bike, I never thought while riding how much I wished the shifters were part if the brake levers. Others’ opinions may vary. If I had to buy one groupset or tge other, though, I would choose the 105. YMMV.
11-06-20, 09:53 AM
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Sora R3000 9sp shifters are nice and have cables under the bar wrap.
Sora 3500 shifters work fine but arent as smooth as other 9sp shifters Ive used.
Tiagra 4500 9sp shifters are smooth and have a good feeling hood shape.
105 5500 9sp shifters are very smooth shifting and have a good feeling hood shape.
Ultegra 6500 9sp shifters are very smooth shifting and have a good feeling hood shape.
Ive used all of the above Shimano 9sp shifters. Currently, family road bikes have 3500, 4500, and 5500 shifters on them. The 4500 and 5500 shifters are on my kid's road bikes and they just work well, even with the age of the shifters and how kids handle bikes sometimes.
I would rather buy some 4500 or 5500 shifters in great condition vs some new old stok 3500 shifters.
As mentioned- I would most likely consider Microshift(micronew) r9 shifters instead. They are dirt cheap compared to Shimano 9sp shifters and they work well. The hood shape is different and though I like it, the shape may not be loved by all. I actually like the shifting process of 2 dedicated paddles.
https://www.amazon.com/Microshift-Do.../dp/B00SRL241C
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Micronew-Ro...r/254190815942
Sora 3500 shifters work fine but arent as smooth as other 9sp shifters Ive used.
Tiagra 4500 9sp shifters are smooth and have a good feeling hood shape.
105 5500 9sp shifters are very smooth shifting and have a good feeling hood shape.
Ultegra 6500 9sp shifters are very smooth shifting and have a good feeling hood shape.
Ive used all of the above Shimano 9sp shifters. Currently, family road bikes have 3500, 4500, and 5500 shifters on them. The 4500 and 5500 shifters are on my kid's road bikes and they just work well, even with the age of the shifters and how kids handle bikes sometimes.
I would rather buy some 4500 or 5500 shifters in great condition vs some new old stok 3500 shifters.
As mentioned- I would most likely consider Microshift(micronew) r9 shifters instead. They are dirt cheap compared to Shimano 9sp shifters and they work well. The hood shape is different and though I like it, the shape may not be loved by all. I actually like the shifting process of 2 dedicated paddles.
https://www.amazon.com/Microshift-Do.../dp/B00SRL241C
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Micronew-Ro...r/254190815942
11-06-20, 11:59 AM
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As mentioned- I would most likely consider Microshift(micronew) r9 shifters instead. They are dirt cheap compared to Shimano 9sp shifters and they work well. The hood shape is different and though I like it, the shape may not be loved by all. I actually like the shifting process of 2 dedicated paddles.
https://www.amazon.com/Microshift-Do.../dp/B00SRL241C
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Micronew-Ro...r/254190815942
https://www.amazon.com/Microshift-Do.../dp/B00SRL241C
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Micronew-Ro...r/254190815942
11-06-20, 12:02 PM
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11-06-20, 01:55 PM
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I've got 4 bikes with Microshift brifters (one using R7's, two with R8's, and one with an older Arsis 10 speed).
I've yet to have any failures on all 4 of these bikes. As long as the chain and cassettes aren't worn, my shifting with the MS brifters work every time. Nice clunk sound with each gear shift down the cog.
Now the Sensah Empire groupsets? When they work, they are great. With my right brifter for the RD...it's flawless. With my left brifter for my FD....Sucks.
I've yet to have any failures on all 4 of these bikes. As long as the chain and cassettes aren't worn, my shifting with the MS brifters work every time. Nice clunk sound with each gear shift down the cog.
Now the Sensah Empire groupsets? When they work, they are great. With my right brifter for the RD...it's flawless. With my left brifter for my FD....Sucks.
11-06-20, 02:24 PM
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I am sure they are fine. Remember this is the "adequate not fancy" price range.
Meanwhile, try saying, "Shimano Sora shifters" five times fast
Meanwhile, try saying, "Shimano Sora shifters" five times fast
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11-06-20, 02:49 PM
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11-06-20, 03:21 PM
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I built a friends bike the other day that came with the Shimano Claris groupset (1 step lower than Sora). I was very impressed with the feel of them for the price. I haven't owned a bike with brifters in 15 years, but would not hesitate to run these. They are much better than the old Soras were, I assume the new Sora is equally improved.
11-06-20, 04:25 PM
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I’m having a hard time saying it once.
11-06-20, 04:28 PM
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I have Claris and Micronew mixed on my vintage Cannondale and have never had an issue. (The Claris has very distinct trim settings and for a cheap triple brifter, that is quite impressive.) New Sora is supposed to be quite good as well, but if cost is a consideration, Microshift/Micronew seems to be equivalent to Shimano at a lower price point.
Not sure where "Tests on these components show early failures are common" were done .... pretty sure not anywhere near the person who posted that.
Not sure where "Tests on these components show early failures are common" were done .... pretty sure not anywhere near the person who posted that.
11-06-20, 04:28 PM
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11-06-20, 07:26 PM
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11-06-20, 07:32 PM
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11-06-20, 10:53 PM
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Thanks everyone for the info on Sora shifters. Looks like I can't go wrong with them on my utility bike. I will order them online rather than call a vendor, I can't say "Shimano Sora shifters" either 
Last edited by frogman; 11-06-20 at 11:48 PM.
11-07-20, 12:09 AM
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Correct me if Im wrong, but doesn't ST3500 and ST3000 have a different pull ratio and so not all Sora will play with all other Sora? I have 3503 levers matched with a Deore XT RD. I don't believe you can mix Road levers and MTB derailleurs with the newer version.
11-07-20, 05:37 AM
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Sora is 9sp, I think you are confused with Tiagra 10 sp which changed to 11sp cable pull while staying at 10sp.
11-07-20, 08:20 AM
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Nor sure how it is now but it used to be the mixing Shimano road and MTB rear derailleurs and shifters up to 9-speed was fine Never heard Sora cable pull was changed form generation to generation .... but if I was mixing I'd do some research (with, say, Shimano, not random strangers online ..... ---I mean, sure I am the ultimate expert and all .... as are all the rest of us here on BF .... 
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