Noob Question Tiagra v 105
Noob Question Tiagra v 105
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Discussion

Vocal Minority

Original Poster:

8,582 posts

181 months

Monday 15th October 2012
quotequote all
Apologies for the daft question, but I am quite daft.

Lets take it as a given that I have found a frame I like and got it fitted etc.

The only question is, say one is Tiagra equipped and about £100-£150 cheaper and the other 105 equipped. Both are 10 speed casettes.

I use the bike for commuting and biffing around on my own for fun and fitness - namely no club stuff or sportives etc - and the fact I have to ask the question probably tells you all you need to know about my experience. The Malverns are about as hilly as my world gets.

So simple question for someone of my inexperienced, club footed buffoonery in bike terms, will I notice sufficient difference to justify the outlay?

Thanks in advance.

SkinnyBoy

4,635 posts

287 months

Monday 15th October 2012
quotequote all
Whilst perfectly serviceable, Tiagra isn't as nicely finished as 105. That's pretty much it. I've got Tiagra shifters and rear mech on my roadie and they do the job flawlessly.

HurryUpAndWait

1,003 posts

232 months

Monday 15th October 2012
quotequote all
The most tangible benefit for me of 105 over Tiagra are the integrated shifters allowing you to change up/down while in the drops. Plus, it does look rather neater.

Rocksteadyeddie

7,971 posts

256 months

Monday 15th October 2012
quotequote all
105 not only will work better, and better finished, but will be lighter, more durable, and will keep the upgrade devil at bay for a little longer. Having said that Ultegra is very nice....

Gizmoish

18,150 posts

238 months

Monday 15th October 2012
quotequote all
HurryUpAndWait said:
The most tangible benefit for me of 105 over Tiagra are the integrated shifters allowing you to change up/down while in the drops. Plus, it does look rather neater.
Huh? Tiagra and 105 have exactly the same lever setup.

2012-on Tiagra is 10-speed and from then on the only real difference is that 105 routes the cables under the bar tape, if that's important to you.

HurryUpAndWait

1,003 posts

232 months

Monday 15th October 2012
quotequote all
Gizmoish said:
HurryUpAndWait said:
The most tangible benefit for me of 105 over Tiagra are the integrated shifters allowing you to change up/down while in the drops. Plus, it does look rather neater.
Huh? Tiagra and 105 have exactly the same lever setup.

2012-on Tiagra is 10-speed and from then on the only real difference is that 105 routes the cables under the bar tape, if that's important to you.
Perhaps I was thinking Sora. Either way, routing under the bar tape is important, for the aestheticwink

donfisher

793 posts

195 months

Monday 15th October 2012
quotequote all
FWIW it looks like for 2013 they've finally ditched the thumb shifter on Sora. Makes the £600 or so bikes a lot more tempting IMHO.

rhinochopig

17,932 posts

227 months

Monday 15th October 2012
quotequote all
The main difference across all the range is price, weight, and bling-factor. Functionally there is so little in it. The ONLY thing I would say is that the cables are typically much better on the higher spec group-sets. But I'd only replace them once the old ones are worn out.

For me, save the money and spend the difference on other bits that may not be quite right, which you'll only notice after a few miles on it. Things like stem, saddle and tyres.

Benmac

1,697 posts

245 months

Monday 15th October 2012
quotequote all
My winter bike has tiagra, my main bike is mainly 105.

As others have said the under the tape cables are nicer on the 105 levers but otherwise they work exactly the same. The shift quality on the tiara units is clunkier and I find the finger effort required is slightly more but it all works well. The 105 stuff just feels usefully slicker.

Gizmoish

18,150 posts

238 months

Monday 15th October 2012
quotequote all
HurryUpAndWait said:
Perhaps I was thinking Sora. Either way, routing under the bar tape is important, for the aestheticwink
Ah, I see.

I have Tiagra and personally I don't mind the side-exit gear cables - their arcs are pleasingly symmetrical. But I couldn't live with Sora's thumb lever (to be deleted from 2012). In fairness some people can't get on with the 'brifter' (brake/shifter) either.

In fact the only thing I'd say is that the cable tension seems to need twiddling reasonably often, but it's still quite a new bike, I haven't done thousands of miles, so they may still be bedding in a bit.

rhinochopig

17,932 posts

227 months

Monday 15th October 2012
quotequote all
Gizmoish said:
HurryUpAndWait said:
Perhaps I was thinking Sora. Either way, routing under the bar tape is important, for the aestheticwink
Ah, I see.

I have Tiagra and personally I don't mind the side-exit gear cables - their arcs are pleasingly symmetrical. But I couldn't live with Sora's thumb lever (to be deleted from 2012). In fairness some people can't get on with the 'brifter' (brake/shifter) either.

In fact the only thing I'd say is that the cable tension seems to need twiddling reasonably often, but it's still quite a new bike, I haven't done thousands of miles, so they may still be bedding in a bit.
Like a porn stars ring, they do stretch over time. Quarter of a turn of the adjuster usually solves it. If not, it is probably a sticky cable and needs replacing.

Gizmoish

18,150 posts

238 months

Monday 15th October 2012
quotequote all
rhinochopig said:
Like a porn stars ring, they do stretch over time. Quarter of a turn of the adjuster usually solves it. If not, it is probably a sticky cable and needs replacing.
Yes, I just turn the adjuster. Although I can never work out which way is which. biggrin