Sora or 105

[Em563]

Hi all.

So I have decided to go for a Cannondale Quick 1 or Quick 3.
The difference between the two in terms of money is about 250.
But obviously the quick 1 has a 105 groupset compared to Sora.
As a novice, do I need 105?

[Derny Driver]

Sora is 9 speed. 105 is 11 speed.
There are lots of interchangeable parts for 11 speed meaning you can upgrade gear levers or whatever you want without a problem. Cassette cogs will wear out. Things will need replacing eventually. With Sora, you can only use Sora parts.
Sora works fine, great actually. Looks a bit crappy with the black finish.
Foe $250 I'd go the 105 which is a brilliant groupset.
But either will be fine.

[Calvin27]

Either is fine. Save the $250 and go for sora. Parts are cheaper and most of the benefits going to 105 are associated with sti levers, the thumb shifters all work the same imo. If the bike is a commuter you don't need a lot of gears.

[Derny Driver]

... most of the benefits going to 105 are associated with sti levers, the thumb shifters all work the same imo..

I think the bikes she is looking at are flat bar anyway mate. Same levers on both models I think.
And I believe the new Sora has paddle shifters, same as 105 and up?

[Calvin27]

... most of the benefits going to 105 are associated with sti levers, the thumb shifters all work the same imo..

I think the bikes she is looking at are flat bar anyway mate. Same levers on both models I think.
And I believe the new Sora has paddle shifters, same as 105 and up?

Yeah that's what I meant. $250 to go from sora to 105 in drop bars is money well spent. Not sure the same thing holds on a flat bar. All flat bar shimano shifters feel exactly the same to me so all you really pay for is 9sp vs 11 sp cassette. Probably way more economical to stick to 9 speed for a flat bar given it is probably doing commuting duties.

[Derny Driver]

Yeah that's what I meant. $250 to go from sora to 105 in drop bars is money well spent. Not sure the same thing holds on a flat bar. All flat bar shimano shifters feel exactly the same to me so all you really pay for is 9sp vs 11 sp cassette. Probably way more economical to stick to 9 speed for a flat bar given it is probably doing commuting duties.

fair point

[1Rowdy1]

I have a Cannondale Quick 1(2018 - 105) and a Quick 5 (2017 - Altus). The Quick 1 sits in the shed gathering dust, the 5 is a much better ride, not sure why but just is, the gear shifting is slightly better on the 1 but not worth being twice the price of the 5.

[Duck!]

Depends whether you need a big gear range or not. Both offer the same overall spread, but the extra sprockets of the 11-sp. tighten the mid-range, where the 9-sp. can have fairly large jumps through a big cassette.

With a tighter cassette, the limitations of fewer sprockets are less pronounced.

[Em563]

... most of the benefits going to 105 are associated with sti levers, the thumb shifters all work the same imo..

I think the bikes she is looking at are flat bar anyway mate. Same levers on both models I think.
And I believe the new Sora has paddle shifters, same as 105 and up?

I'm actually male! But I'm used to that.

Thanks for the replies everyone, I have decided to go back to Merida and get the Speeder 400. I got it for a great price and I think it is a great spec too. Got it for almost $100 cheaper than the Cannondale Quick 1 and the main thing that swayed me was that the Merida has a full 105 Groupset, where as the Cannondale had an FSA Omega Crank.

[oreo15]

had 105 in the past, super nice groupset.