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forum
Shifter upgrades
Hi everyone,
I'm currently running a Shimano 2300 groupset (came as stock on bike) and want to upgrade my shifters to one without the annoying thumb shifter thingys. Unfortunately I don't have lots of money to spend on a full upgrade (I'm a student, but not one of the money grabbing kinds :P). Should I get the new Sora's, with a new cassette and chain, if that would work, or find an older 8 speed STI shifter and fit that?? I wish I could afford a full SRAM Apex, but thats not viable for a long while yet.
Cheers,
PD
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8 comments
Tiagra 9 speed is bomb proof.
Took my old Tiagra 2003 groupset off as the chainset was a stupid 53/42, got a whole new 10 speed TT set up and turned it into a TT bike, but the Tiagra shifters and chain live on as part of my CX bike now!
I'd go ebay or check out cycle jumbles if I was really strapped for cash. (Bike jumbles are listed at the back of Cycling weekly)
I upgraded my Sora groupset to Tiagra a couple of years ago and they worked out fine. I bought most of the kit from Ebay too
.
I am sure not everyone will approve but new kit was just way too expensive for me and if you are careful you can pick up some good quality bargains on there.
New sora (3500) is basically old 9-speed tiagra, proper dual control. that technology will continue to trickle down.
I've got Tiagra 9 speed on my winter bike and Dura Ace on my summer one. The difference between the two is really not that much ...... Tiagra really is very good!
I've done 4000Km in the last year almost exclusively on Sora equipped bikes and not had any serious problems; I do change chain and cassette regularly ( at start of Summer season for fast bike and start of winter for Cyclocross hack). Now have a tiagra equipped Genesis and agree it is better, but needed a new front mech very quicly and now have a 105 on that. New Sora has done away with Mickey Mouse thumbshift and my understanding is that it is pretty robust and at my speeds weight isn't a major issue. I suppose get the best you can afford is the answer for a serious cyclist, but new Sora looks fine to me.
My 2010 Giant came with Sora and honestly they're F'n awful and high maintenance fitted Shimano Tigra & no problems bearing in mind this is my commuting bike very robust. 9 speed set up is fairly cheap & if your throwing £150 plus at shifters what's another 70 for mechs? Would get the shifters as a set from wiggle chain reactions etc then your sure to get the full kit inc cables. Whilst your there order a basic tools set and cable cutters. Sorry if last bit sound's patronising just jobs a simple with some very basic cheap , but specialist tools
Would they be compatible with the current deraileurs, or would I need to change them too??
Why not go for a 9 speed set up?
105 or Ultegra shifters are easy to pick up cheap.
Cassette and chains are a lot cheaper than 10/11 speed and will last a hell of a lot longer.