Ok cheers guys, what’s wrong with tiagra and sora both are sti?
Nothing at all… Too many people get far too hung up on what groupset the bike has, and that it has a carbon frame, hence the proliferation of cheap nasty Carbon frames often with a couple of 105 trinkets coming in at the £1k mark. I’d rather ride a better overall package, with a frame worthwhile of future upgrades and a Tiagra groupset.
For £7-800, there’s loads of good bikes out there. All the usual Suspects (Trek, Specialized, Giant, Cannondale etc.) have worthwhile bikes in that price bracket, but then also check out the likes of the new Raleigh Revenio range, and Forme’s Longcliffe range and Moda’s Intro for a few worthwhile homegrown alternatives.
Couple of words of advice if you’re going to ride through the winter though (given you’re asking this at the end of October)… Firstly, buy a bike with clearance for mudguards of some sort when used with 25c tyres. Secondly, buy a decent pair of 25c tyres that are both grippy and have some sort of puncture protection, they won’t be cheap but they will be very worthwhile. Come spring you’ll thank me on both counts!