VegasJen

[EDIT] For clarification, I'm referring both to NEW and OLDER generation components.

I have a small collection of road bikes with a variety of Shimano parts including Integra, Claris and Sora. But the problem is, I really don't know what that means. I went on Shimano's website and they don't really break it down particularly well, plus what they list is geared towards generating sales. I get that, but I want real world knowledge and experience. From what I've gleaned so far, Dura-Ace is top shelf. I get that Integra is somewhere in between and Sora and Tiagra are kind of entry level stuff. Beyond that, I really don't know what advantages/disadvantages there are to any particular components.

The only thing I have determined is that I definitely like the shifter that has the two levers "nested" (I don't know if that's the right term or not) like 105/Integra stuff. I have a couple of bikes with Claris (IIRC) and there's the one lever that's part of the brake lever, and then the other lever is really more like a knob that comes off the inside bracket by where the brake cable comes out. Not really a fan of that set up. I don't know. Maybe that's more of an age issue rather than model. But that's why I'm here asking the questions.

Take me to school.

Koyote

It's Ultegra, not Integra.

Beyond that, you can find all of the requested info here. Most manufacturers have these website thingies nowadays.

VegasJen

Fair enough, but reading is not your forte. Try the third sentence, first paragraph.

Polaris OBark

Koyote

If you find that website confusing, you probably shouldn't accuse anyone else of a reading comprehension problem.

You're essentially asking others to explain things that are all over the internet. There's a word for that. Starts with L, ends with Y.

Tomm Willians

Generally speaking, as you look at the various groupsets they become lighter and shift better as they become more expensive. Whether the additional costs say between 105 and DuraAce are worth it (or even noticeable) to you is something you have to find out for yourself.
Ive met many good riders who are more than happy with “one-step-down” groupsets for the riding they do.

fishboat

This isn't hard..try google.

CAT7RDR

Your question is big with info.
Your question also depends what year your current components were manufactured.

"Entry Level" is also ambiguous. Entry level for racing? For recreation only?
For road cycling, the hierarchy from most expensive to least expensive and from racing to recreation continuums, would be:

Dura Ace
Ultegra
105
Tiagra
Sora
Claris
Tourney

https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/buy...-need-to-know/

VegasJen

Do you just come in to threads and post in an attempt to make yourself feel better by trying to run others down? I've run into people like you before. You're what is often referred to as "toxic". Please feel free to not contribute in my threads. Believe it or not, you're already there.

For reference, you might want to check out the post below if you would like an example of someone actually providing helpful information.
Ya, I'm no where near a competitive rider, so top shelf is wasted on me. However, I do want the best quality for what I'm doing. I prefer to only buy something one time, when the budget allows. And along that vein, I'd rather buy something that's a little more robust with the belief that it is going to last beyond my riding days, than to save a few extra grams of weight.
I still really don't know the difference between Sora and Claris though. On the Shimano site, they kind of have very similar descriptions. They seem to be advertised as more "entry level". So why the difference? Is one more "entry level" than the other?
Ya, see. That's what I'm talking about. Shimano is in the business of selling their product. Nothing wrong with that. But I can't expect Shimano to tell me, "this product sucks, buy that one." Unless, of course, it's the more expensive one. Once again, not bagging on them for it, that's business. Just looking for someone with real world experience and knowledge to break it down.

From what I gather, Tourney seems to be more MTN bike equpment, whereas Tiagra, Sora and Claris look to be road bike stuff. But from the descriptions I've read there's very little difference in the three.

Tomm Willians

https://www.cyclingnews.com/features...ets-explained/

This offers a pretty detailed description that might answer your question

Polaris OBark

He is one of the most helpful, generous and well-informed among many in this community. Maybe take a second look at your approach.

Recycled Cycler

That's it. Simple as that!

I'd use DA Ultegra or 105 on any bike and be happy. Below that not so much. A new bike equipped with something like Sora is going to be a very very entry-level bike. I'd never buy a bike with anything less than 105.

​​​​​​​

cxwrench

Toxic...please. The info you were looking for is all over the Shimano site. The whole site is set up in order of quality/performance/price. All of it. If you can't manage to tell the difference between products described as 'entry level' and those described as 'race' I don't know what to say. ALL Shimano products work well. The entry level ones are heavier, not finished as nicely and cost less. The high end are lighter, shinier, work somewhat better and cost more. Just like everything else in this world.

Jeff Neese

Here you go - everything you could possibly want to know:

Shimano component heirarchy - road bikes

VegasJen

Excellent link! Thank you very much. This is pretty much what I was asking.
Not my experience.
I don't know. I haven't noticed a functional difference between the bikes I have that have Sora versus the ones that have 105, so I assume the difference is either weight or number of gears. Is that about right? As said above, I like the kind that has both up and down levers together, but I don't know if that's a specific model or maybe a generation of components.
Ya. Thanks.
So based on just a cursory review of this link, the difference between Sora, Tiagra and Claris is the number of speeds? Is that correct?

Tomm Willians

Well unfortunately this is sort of where you go down the rabbit hole…… yes on first glance it indeed shows that the three groups offer different speeds but it’s highly unlikely the difference ends there.

Weight
Compatibility with other groupsets or manufacturers Shimano/SRAM
Finish
Brake design
Brifter material
Crank Arm options
Chainring options
etc……

and then to further confuse things there could be differences from one generation to the next so it can become rather involved. I can only claim to have a very loose grasp of the topic so rely heavily on my LBS which employs three incredible mechanics that seem to know EVERYTHING.

However if I would offer one bit of advice/experience with Shimano is that nothing below 105 will work well for long if you really start putting in some miles and don’t overlook used groupsets as many riders will upgrade lightly used mechanical DuraAce for Electronic shifting so deals can be found.

I’ve ridden a number of bikes with Shimano, SRAM and Campy (my favorite) and at least to me, their best groups feel and operate much better than the bargain units.

Camilo

Lots of good explanations and links. Someone mentioned he'd not use anything less than 105. No problem with that threshold. But - I believe that Sora and Tiagra, especially Tiagra, are fine, well functioning groups. Myself, I'm sort of an "Ultegra", upper but not top of the line, kind of guy (actually in the Sram hierarchy - Force - which is my preferred brand). HOWEVER, Tiagra is without question fine, very close to current technology, form and function to 105. Just heavier and cheaper. A person would not be limited at all recreationally or beginning racing with that group. I would say the same thing about Sram groups: the two lower end groups, Apex and Rival, are excellent.

znomit

Dura ace is the entry level point. Those noobies need all the help they can get. Most of us here actually use claris because it's all we can afford after buying the latest months Rapha kit. Nothing worse than showing up at the coffee shop in May colours when it's June already.

Greatestalltime

Op, just throw all that crap out and get Dura Ace for all bikes. Problem solved.

indyfabz

I got both my Rapha Core jerseys for $55 each.

znomit

12 months in a year buddy.

Trakhak

I'll remember this thread the next time I see one with posts from regulars congratulating each other on how endlessly warm, welcoming, and helpful they are to newcomers. I've been on this forum for quite a while, but I still haven't figured out which innocent questions will get the snarling responses from the gatekeepers, or why.

znomit

Fair enough, but reading is not your forte. Try the third post, first paragraph.

Trakhak

Koyote

Third post has only one paragraph. I presume you meant the first post, third paragraph — where the OP asks to be schooled.

The number of posted links to articles explaining the groupset hierarchy proves an interesting point.