Best of the worst: Xenon or Sora?
08-18-06, 12:25 PM
#1
Passista
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,599
Bikes: 1998 Pinarello Asolo, 1992 KHS Montaña pro, 1980 Raleigh DL-1, IGH Hybrid, IGH Utility
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 868 Post(s)
Liked 721 Times
in
396 Posts
Best of the worst: Xenon or Sora?
A friend is about to build a bicycle on a low budget and asked me about it. I'd say Xenon. And you?
08-18-06, 12:33 PM
#2
Software for Cyclists
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Redding, California
Posts: 4,618
Bikes: Trek 5200, Specialized MTB
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ultegra...that is, if you want to be able to find parts and/or get service at most shops.
08-18-06, 12:45 PM
#4
....gets the cheese
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: SLC, Utah
Posts: 2,577
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Cannondale Caad 8, Wilier Triestina Jareen
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
Originally Posted by SSP
Ultegra...that is, if you want to be able to find parts and/or get service at most shops.
08-18-06, 12:46 PM
#5
Vanned.
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,244
Bikes: 2006 Motobecane Le Champ SL, 2006 Mercier Kilo TT, 2004 Gary Fisher Tassajara
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Xenon is 9 speed, Sora is 8 speed, if that makes a difference.
08-18-06, 12:57 PM
#6
Software for Cyclists
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Redding, California
Posts: 4,618
Bikes: Trek 5200, Specialized MTB
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Reynolds
Even 105 is out of the question.
08-18-06, 01:06 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 604
Bikes: LeMond Zurich
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Reynolds
Even 105 is out of the question.
__________________
I’m not familiar precisely with exactly what I said, but I stand by what I said whatever it was.
I’m not familiar precisely with exactly what I said, but I stand by what I said whatever it was.
08-18-06, 01:09 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 604
Bikes: LeMond Zurich
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You should be able to find a used 105 9-spd on ebay for a budget price.
__________________
I’m not familiar precisely with exactly what I said, but I stand by what I said whatever it was.
I’m not familiar precisely with exactly what I said, but I stand by what I said whatever it was.
08-18-06, 02:55 PM
#12
100% USDA certified
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Seattle -> NYC
Posts: 4,023
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
2 Posts
Xenon, hands down. It's actually some seriously good stuff - easy to service, very cheap (I think a pair of Xenon brifters runs somewhere around $50 for the two on Probikekit). It does feel a little plastic-y, and you'll always get that Campagnolo kind of 'clank' when you shift as opposed to the itty bitty clicks of a Shimano drivetrain, but for being able to trim the FD, shift from the drops, etc, Xenon is miles ahead of Sora.
(I've had experience with both.)
(I've had experience with both.)
08-18-06, 03:21 PM
#13
Faith-Vigilance-Service
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Port Orchard, WA
Posts: 8,330
Bikes: Trinity, Paradisus, Centurion, Mongoose, Trek
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Xenon/Mirage is without a doubt the highest quality and most underated entrance level components out there. However, in all honesty, if your friend was willing to fork out les than $100 more, he could get a full 10s Veloce group from www.11speed.com
I have 10s Veloce on my commuter, and it is sooooooo worth it. It is a beautiful silver components system, yet incredibly reliable for the money. One of the best bang for your buck 10s groups on the market.
I have 10s Veloce on my commuter, and it is sooooooo worth it. It is a beautiful silver components system, yet incredibly reliable for the money. One of the best bang for your buck 10s groups on the market.
__________________
President, OCP
--"Will you have some tea... at the theatre with me?"--
President, OCP --"Will you have some tea... at the theatre with me?"--
Last edited by Patriot; 08-18-06 at 03:27 PM.
08-18-06, 04:06 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA
Posts: 1,152
Bikes: 1990 Burley Bossa Nova, 1992 Paramount PDG-70, 1993 Specialized Stumpjumper, 2005 Jamis Dakar XC Pro, 2007 Rivendell Bleriot
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 28 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
3 Posts
Originally Posted by Reynolds
Even 105 is out of the question.
Are you guys serious? I'm new to road cycling stuff, but i thought 105 was very decent?
08-18-06, 05:13 PM
#15
Fahren auf den Autobahn
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: stuck in a bank... all day long...
Posts: 610
Bikes: LeMond Maillot Jaune, 2004 Giant TCR C1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by worker4youth
Xenon is 9 speed, Sora is 8 speed, if that makes a difference.
08-18-06, 05:35 PM
#16
Up and comer
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,014
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon xenon!
08-18-06, 05:56 PM
#17
Hoosier Pedaler
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,432
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Patriot
Xenon/Mirage is without a doubt the highest quality and most underated entrance level components out there. However, in all honesty, if your friend was willing to fork out les than $100 more, he could get a full 10s Veloce group from www.11speed.com
I have 10s Veloce on my commuter, and it is sooooooo worth it. It is a beautiful silver components system, yet incredibly reliable for the money. One of the best bang for your buck 10s groups on the market.
I have 10s Veloce on my commuter, and it is sooooooo worth it. It is a beautiful silver components system, yet incredibly reliable for the money. One of the best bang for your buck 10s groups on the market.
08-18-06, 06:35 PM
#18
Passista
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,599
Bikes: 1998 Pinarello Asolo, 1992 KHS Montaña pro, 1980 Raleigh DL-1, IGH Hybrid, IGH Utility
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 868 Post(s)
Liked 721 Times
in
396 Posts
Thanks guys- Xenon wins. And the finish is better than the Sora's.
08-18-06, 07:48 PM
#19
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 11
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by robo
Are you guys serious? I'm new to road cycling stuff, but i thought 105 was very decent?
08-19-06, 07:31 AM
#22
Behind EVERYone!!!
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Burlington ON, Canada
Posts: 6,020
Bikes: 2010 Specialized Tricross Comp 105 Double
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Liked 96 Times
in
29 Posts
Originally Posted by SSP
Ultegra...that is, if you want to be able to find parts and/or get service at most shops.
__________________
“A good teacher protects his pupils from his own influence. ”
― Bruce Lee
“A good teacher protects his pupils from his own influence. ”
― Bruce Lee
08-19-06, 01:23 PM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 470
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by baj32161
Why do people do this when the OP specifically asked about Xenon or Sora. If the OP had been considering Ultegra I am sure he would have said so
08-19-06, 01:25 PM
#25
cab horn
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Toronto
Posts: 28,353
Bikes: 1987 Bianchi Campione
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 26 Times
in
19 Posts
Originally Posted by SSP
Ultegra...that is, if you want to be able to find parts and/or get service at most shops.
