I’m looking to get my first road bike. Like the title says, what’s the shimano road groupset equivalent to Deore? ie something that’s functional, last reasonaly well and I won’t need to upgrade after the first ride?

Thanks

Sora

Tiagra is the direct equivalent, Sora is Alivio level. Based purely on rear mech prices (and quality I find).

Probably Tiagra?
Perfectly functional. The only difference I’ve noticed compared to 105 is that 105 STIs seem smoother, but that could be because of the whole 105 gear/brake package.
I had Tiagra on a Sportive bike that I clocked up some good miles on, I raced it too but that’s when it felt a little out of it’s depth.
Edit; Tiagra also uses the HT11 bottom bracket system which is nice to have at the price.

hmmmmmnnn
shimano also has the 2300 groupset which slots in below sora, this is like alivio
it kinda pushes sora up to deore level,
I’d say sora is definitely reliable and functional, without the pazazz

yep, sora=deore

tiagra=SLX
105 = XT
ultegra = saint
Dura ace = XTR
DI2 = yumeya

My opinion, but could be wrong

DuraAce=XTR
Ultegra=XT
105=SLX
Tiagra=Deore
Sora=Alivio

Big difference is between Sora and Tiagra, Sora you need to reach up on the hoods to upshift, all the higher ranges have the double lever setup. Sora has button/mini lever on inside of hood. They all work though.

Edit:Intenseswearfilteravoidanceyoubeatchyourfastertyingedhornby.

I somewhat doubt that there is a “Saint” equivalent for road biking, unless Contador is doing things on his road bike that’re rad to the power of sick.

I somewhat doubt that there is a “Saint” equivalent for road biking, unless Contador is doing things on his road bike that’re rad to the power of sick.

Depends how much steak he’s eaten.

Midlife is correct. 2300 series is kind of Acera level.

I agree with Midlife as I have had 105 and Ultegra, deore, LX, SLX, XT and XTR 🙂

DuraAce=XTR
Ultegra=XT
105=SLX
Tiagra=Deore
Sora=Alivio

Although to answer the original question I ran a Sora groupset quite happily for thousands of miles. Road stuff all just works. I wouldn’t be put off by Sora if budget dictates it but Tiagra will feel slicker. I currently run Ultegra which is very smooth.

foxyrider – Member

I agree with Midlife as I have had 105 and Ultegra, deore, LX, SLX, XT and XTR

DuraAce=XTR
Ultegra=XT
105=SLX
Tiagra=Deore
Sora=Alivio

Foxyrider speaketh the truth.
I had Sora on an old CX bike a few years ago, it was fine – it coped with the Three Peaks anyway!
Road stuff doesn’t have to put up with anywhere near the beating that MTB components get so it tends to just work. Shifting gets better as you go up the range definitely, Ultegra shifts are smoother and require a shorter throw of the lever compared to Tiagra for example.

Sora works, but the shifters are really quite annoying if you ever use the drops. Tiara works, and has usable shifters.

Well worth upgrading at least the shifters to tiagra.

Thanks for the replies guys. Seems like both Sora and Tiagra will work fine. If Sora’s more like Alivio then that should be OK. My wife’s MTB has Alivio and as it’s only used in the dry, on road and firetrails and has held up well over many years and many miles.

I’d only be using it once or twice a week so I’m sure both will be fine although if I can spare the change I’ll go Tiagra.

The big bonus with Tiagra for me is as joemarshall says, the shifters on Sora are a PITA. Tiagra has the proper Shimano dual lever thing going on, rather than separate thumb levers for up shifts, ala Campag.

I went from 105 shifters (old style) to the new style Ultegra and there is a pretty big difference in the ability to shift and brake – not sure if its as big from going SLX to XT though ?

I have Sora and everything is fine apart from the shifters. I thought they were ok until I got a nice bike with Ultegra and now realise that the shift mechanism is rubbish and inconvenient.

If you are building up yourself then you might be able to get away with mix and match to get tiagra where it matters more. Personally I’d go with Tiagra all over. Some good groupset offers around.

I don’t think you can say what is equal to Deore. Deore works well and does its job, and as you go up the ranges get better lighter etc.
If you want the equivalent in terms of price its probably Tiagra. In terms of function i reckon you are better off saving for 105, as Tiagra is incredibly clunky, and not comparable to Deore.

Something you might want to bear in mind is that Road parts last longer so any investment made at initial purchase will last longer anyway. Have a look at complete bikes with 105 parts, you’ll appreciate the better quality shifting

i’d say deore = tiagra

both offer all the features of the more expensive stuff, but heavier, and a bit clunkier.

the sora shifters would get annoying very quickly.

tiagra stuff is jolly good.