Shimano Components - What's the Difference?

[Bugner]

Hi,

I am looking for a road bike mainly for Audax/Sportive rides, it seems that the Giant Defy range is a good compromise between speed and comfort.

However, the Defy 1 is £200 more than Defy 2. The main difference is the Shimano components being either 105 or Tiagra.

Is it really worth spending another £200? Are 105 components that much better? What is the difference?

Would welcome any advice. Cheers

 

[Randochap]

105 components are better IMO. Whether it's worth spending another £200 is debatable.

Of course, you could do better and find a bike w/ Campagnolo veloce

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Both sets of components will work fine. Tiagra is nine speed, 105 is ten.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

from tiagra upwards, your more or less paying for lighter components and more sprockets in the cassette.

i've yet to feel that the tiagra on my summer bike has let me down, despite doing club runs, events and the odd sportive and challenge ride.

and the sora on my commuter bike is solid and reliable, if a little less responsive.

 

[Landslide]

There is however the question of future-proofing to consider. If you plump for the 9-speed Tiagra, as component manufacturers move to ever-increasing numbers of sprockets, you may find it difficult to get hold of 9-speed spares in the future...

 

[alecstilleyedye]

There is however the question of future-proofing to consider. If you plump for the 9-speed Tiagra, as component manufacturers move to ever-increasing numbers of sprockets, you may find it difficult to get hold of 9-speed spares in the future...

ah, but high end shimano mtb cassettes are still 9 speed, so 9 speed chains will be around for a while too.

 

[TheDoctor]

7-speed cassettes are still easy to get hold of, for that matter.

 

[bonj2]

sram is a lot better than either campag or shimano - the same lever for upshift and downshift may seem weird until you've used it but it works really well and intuitively and is a lot easier to do downshifts from the drops. It sort of makes you think 'why don't they all make them like this?' oh yes - copyright...

 

[alecstilleyedye]

sram is a lot better than either campag or shimano - the same lever for upshift and downshift may seem weird until you've used it but it works really well and intuitively and is a lot easier to do downshifts from the drops. It sort of makes you think 'why don't they all make them like this?' oh yes - copyright...

like a sturmey-archer then?

 

[bonj2]

like a sturmey-archer then?

no one uses sturmey archer these days, they're old hat. Even you shouldknow that. Only for three-speed hub gears oldwomen's 1960's shopping bikes. No real place in the 21st century (debatable as to whether they've even got one inthe 20th.)

 

[alecstilleyedye]

i was merely drawing a comparison of the single lever idea…

 

[bonj2]

i was merely drawing a comparison of the single lever idea…

but for drops? and derailleurs?

 

[Mortiroloboy]

sram is a lot better than either campag or shimano - the same lever for upshift and downshift may seem weird until you've used it but it works really well and intuitively and is a lot easier to do downshifts from the drops. It sort of makes you think 'why don't they all make them like this?' oh yes - copyright...

That's just your opinion though, right?

 

[bonj2]

That's just your opinion though, right?

well, yes, but it is a correct opinion.

 

[montage]

how does sram work?