Better gears....will I really appreciate them?

[grellboy]

I ride out on weekend (50 miles total?) and commute to work. Thinking about ditching my hybrid and getting a road bike instead. Having done some research, looks like all the entry level bikes come with Claris or Sora shimano typically. My question is would I be ok with these "basic" level gears (currently rocking sram x5 on my hybrid) or would it be worth me going up a level or two, to say 105? Would the difference be noticeable to me and would I get off and say "God, that 105 set really makes a difference!" Or would I think "Oh wow, now I am riding a road bike, even with this basic claris gear set up, it feels awesome!"

 

[jazzkat]

I reckon the biggest difference would be from just being on a road bike. A friend has just done the same thing, going from a mountain bike to a road bike with a basic spec.
He thinks it's amazing. Higher level gear sets are a bit lighter and may change a little slicker, but I doubt it'd be a life changer.
The usual advice applies, buy the best frame; everything else can be upgraded as it wears out or when the lure of bling is too much.

 

[vickster]

I'm having my best cycling at the moment on my single speed, one gear is enough

 

[Colnago Master]

In my experience groupsets don't wear out apart from chains, rear cassettes and eventually front chainrings.
Quickly priced up shimano groupsets and 105 is only £100 more than Sora. Personally I'd pay the extra on top of any other considerations regarding frame and wheels.

 

[screenman]

Nobody ever regrets buying quality, get the best you can honestly afford.

 

[MikeW-71]

105 is excellent, if you can afford it, it is well worth it.

BUT

There's nothing "wrong" with Claris/Sora/Tiagra as such, they work well.

 

[gmw492]

105 is excellent, if you can afford it, it is well worth it.

BUT

There's nothing "wrong" with Claris/Sora/Tiagra as such, they work well.

Yes true I had 105 on a previous bike and the shifting was really good and precise ,I now have The new Sora on my new bike and it is good too,

 

[Kestevan]

Main difference is that the 105 set is now 11spd. That allows you to run a larger cassette with fewer annoying gaps between sprockets. As an added bonus it opens up an easier upgrade path in future.

Personally I'd go for 105 if possible, but tbh there's nowt wrong with any of the Shimano groupsets.

 

[Colnago Master]

I just wish I'd tried harder at school, then I could afford Super Record EPS.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I just wish I'd tried harder at school, then I could afford Super Record EPS.

Tbh I found it worked out better by trying harder after I left school.

 

[Kestevan]

Tbh I found it worked out better by trying harder after I left school.

Perhaps he's a not very good teacher......

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I have a 105 triple set up, perish the thought of a compact double, so the new Tiagra looks a viable option, especially since they have dropped that silly indicator thing, I have several Sora's in the past (admittedly the old style) but these are a world apart, I am not any quicker but every thing is so much smother, the advantage of the triple is I can run a 38/50 middle/outer front coupled with a 12-23 rear and it is so sweet, screw putting bigger and bigger rear cogs on keep the rear closely group with the front giving options.

 

[mythste]

from my admittedly limited experience, a good setup from a decent tech will make as much difference either way. A well setup sora may ride better than a poorly setup 105. A good 105 though... nice.

 

[wam68]

I just wish I'd tried harder at school, then I could afford Super Record EPS.

Very true for all of us....

 

[Colnago Master]

My Colnago has 8-speed Dura Ace with 39x23 bottom gear. Gear change and brakes work like a dream even after 20+ years. It's a good advert for buying the best you can. All I need now is the EPO fuelled legs that Mapei used and I'll be fine up the hills.