What is the best level of quality of Shimano group-set before it is just about weight.

[Cyclopathic]

In other words if one isn't a weight weeny what level is the best quality before any mechanical advantage is virtually negligible?

Is it ever the case that the very high end components are less reliable or durable than parts further down the food chain because of the concentration on weight reduction.

 

[Dangermouse]

That would be between 2 groupsets, Tiagra and 105 although I would also say 105 is budget race equipment......hard to say really as my missus rides Sora gear and it does seem to perform as well as my 105.

As for weight, theres only grams between all of them, personally when I upgrade I will go to Ultegra as Dura Ace is just a posh name to me, I don't need to be spending that kind of money for not a lot of weight or performance in my kind of riding.

 

[Cyclopathic]

That would be between 2 groupsets, Tiagra and 105 although I would also say 105 is budget race equipment......hard to say really as my missus rides Sora gear and it does seem to perform as well as my 105.

As for weight, theres only grams between all of them, personally when I upgrade I will go to Ultegra as Dura Ace is just a posh name to me, I don't need to be spending that kind of money for not a lot of weight or performance in my kind of riding.

This is exactly my thinking so I just wanted to gauge peoples opinions on where to stop spending money if all I'm after is reliability and functionality over performance. If I need to address the weight issue I've got a couple of stones on me at least that I would be as well to reduce before starting to spend money on expensive stuff for the sake of a gramme or two.

 

[Dangermouse]

What groupset have you got at the moment Cyclo?

 

[Biker Joe]

I would suggest Ultegra. Super smooth and durable.
Mind you, I've got the latest Sora and it's brilliant. Much like the older 105s.

 

[BrianEvesham]

Is there a recognised definitive list or pecking order for group sets ?

 

[Cyclopathic]

What groupset have you got at the moment Cyclo?

I'm putting my GT 3.0 circa 2000 back together for me in the spring or to sell. It's got a 105 groupset on it which I'm completely happy with.
Mostly I'm asking in order to get a reasonable idea of what sort of gear would be the optimum for function over weight considerations. It's more for general knowledge really.
I have noticed the difference in feel and performance of the bottom of the range of sti changers especially when compared to better stuff but have long suspected that when one reaches a certain level then going much above that is not going to gain that much in terms of how they function. My main criteria for things I want to use is to get the best functioning and reliability as well as durability for what I can afford. Also I don't need or want top of the range stuff for the sort of cycling I do which is mostly practical and utilitarian.

 

[Dangermouse]

Is there a recognised definitive list or pecking order for group sets ?

I would say that a list would look something like this

1 Dura Ace
2 Ultegra
3 105
4 Tiagra
5 Sora
6 Claris
7 STI 2300 ( this is same as Claris but some groups have different shifters)

then you start getting into standard Deore and Tourney equipment, Sora is middle of the road and I cant fault it, does exactly what it is supposed to do, ultra reliably.....so I am now thinking this is the point where it should actually begin as opposed to the OPs original question, just been out for a couple of hours on the bikes and Eileens Sora was just as efficient as my 105, so its only a slight and very slight weight difference between all the mid range groupsets.

 

[Dangermouse]

Don't forget that Dura Ace and Ultegra have groupsets in between.........Di setups

 

[Sittingduck]

105

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

The Shimano groupset with the most efficent shifting is Di2 without a doubt however these are not the lightest groupsets offered by Shimano

 

[potsy]

I have 3 bikes,
1 with Sora (old thumb-shifter version)
1 with Tiagra (10 speed)
1 with 105

All work perfectly well and it is only the fact that the 105 looks better as the cables are much neater that I am saying it is the best of the 3, performance wise it is hardly noticeable from Tiagra imo

 

[Dangermouse]

I have 3 bikes,
1 with Sora (old thumb-shifter version)
1 with Tiagra (10 speed)
1 with 105

All work perfectly well and it is only the fact that the 105 looks better as the cables are much neater that I am saying it is the best of the 3, performance wise it is hardly noticeable from Tiagra imo

+1

 

[Kies]

+1 for 105 as the cabling is neater

 

[Albert]

My 105 bike actually has a slightly better shift quality than my Ultegra bike. Tiagra is also very good and Sora works just fine.
So I agree with the others - 105 wins.