Shimano is a quality Japanese manufacturer of bicycle components. The company has created the Shimano Sora groupset that ensures reliable shifting and is an excellent value for the money. It can be a very confusing process when you attempt to purchase the right groupset but are not sure about what features to look for. When deciding on which product from the Shimano line to choose, many people research Shimano Sora vs. 105.
It can be difficult for even professional cyclists to find a starting point when they are looking for a good quality groupset at the right price. That is why we decided to do the research for you. If you are looking for an affordable groupset that performs flawlessly, the Shimano Sora and 105 groupsets are both excellent choices to consider. Both have impressive speeds and cranksets with identical rear pulley cages. They also both have a derailleur sprocket with 30 or more teeth. But which one is the best?
Both the Shimaro Sora and the 105 have impressive features to consider. Here is a quick comparison of the most important features for you to consider.
| Shimano Sora | Shimano 105 | ||
| Speeds | 9 | 11 | |
| Crankset | Triple | Double | |
| Rear Pulley Cage | SS/GS | SS/GS | |
| Derailleur Sprocket | 32 teeth | 30 teeth | |
| Weighing Cassette Options | 12-25, 11-28, 11-30, 11-32, 11-34 | 11-25T, 11-30T, 11-32T, 12-25T, 13-25T, 14-25T | |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | |
| VIEW ON EBAY | VIEW ON EBAY | ||
| VIEW ON AMAZON | VIEW ON AMAZON |
The Shimano Sora is entry-level option in the hierarchy of Shimano groupsets. The Sora components include 9-speed gearing with a flawless shift and a unique triple chainset option. This dual control lever was designed with fitness cycling enthusiasts Trusted Source Biking your way to better health: How to reboot your workout routine - CNN If you’ve been following along, we’re well into the reboot of your workout routine. If you’re just joining now, take a moment to review how we’ve set the foundation for establishing a sustainable exercise habit, mastered how to move properly, and learned how to use free weights to increase strength and boost our metabolism. www.cnn.com in mind. The lever set uses the brand’s linear response technology to help reduce friction, improving modulation and braking response.
The Shimano 105 provides the user with stable shifting performance and is wide compatible. The performance is inline, and users get excellent shifting prowess with durable components.
The key difference between the Shimano Sora and 105 is the complex hydraulic disc brakes system that the 105 offers. It provides the user with superior braking that the Sora doesn’t offer. The Sora is unfortunately limited to mechanical disc brakes.
There are also several other differences to consider when choosing between the Shimano Sora and 105.
The biggest difference between Shimano Sora and Shimano 105 is the number of gears they offer. Shimano Sora is a 9-speed groupset, which means it has 9 gears in the rear cassette, and Shimano 105 has 11 gears in the rear cassette.
Both the Shimano Sora and the 105 have high–quality frames and are made from durable stainless steel material.
The Shimano Sora and 105 both have integrated shift and brake levers that operate similarly. The user has to pull the lever back to the brake and swing it inward to shift. There is also a small button located behind the lever on both models that activates the opposing shift.
The shifters for the Shimano 105 are ergonomically designed, so they are light yet solid and provide the user with the ideal grip. It is easy and effortless to switch gears and provides the user with a satisfying click sound when you shift between gears.
The shifters for the Sora are not as refined, which can make them more difficult to operate. While the shift may be flawless, it will require the user to use more force when pulling, which can make it ultimately feel rougher than the 105.
The maintenance for both products is fairly simple. It’s important to use WD-40 to free up any frozen shifters and follow up with a silicon-based spray lubricant after the solvent has had time to evaporate, typically overnight.
While testing we found that the Shimano 105 was far more durable than the Sora in more ways than one. From the shifters to the crankset and weighing cassettes, the 105 manages to outshine the Sora in terms of product durability. Both products have a one-year warranty through several retailers, including Amazon.
The 105 chainset is not only lighter than the Sora chainset (752g vs 953g), but also has been redesigned to include a newly positioned inner ring to prevent cross-chaining.
The Shimano 105 R7000 groupsets currently retail for around $500 for sets with caliper brakes when considering the most current models. They cost around $700 for those with disc brakes.
The latest Sora model R3000 groupset may be purchased at around $350 with caliper brakes and for around $400 for mechanical disc brakes.
The Shimano Sora is only available with a choice of nine speeds in the back, and therefore you can only use this groupset with cassettes that feature nine sprockets.
The 105 is compatible with a broad range of cycles and cassettes. If you are interested in finding out if the groupset is compatible with a specific part or cycle, you will need to conduct a little research to learn more about it.
If your main concern is braking power, you can find exactly what you need in the Shimano groupset. The brand offers everything from calipers to disc brakes. The Shimano 105 disc brake features a hydraulic system that is more complex than the Sora. It offers superior braking power. The Sora, however is limited to using mechanical disc brakes.
If your primary concern is calipers, the 105 feature a unique dual-pivot design that includes options for direct mounting if needed.
Throughout our research, we found that the 105 dual pivot brakes are dependable, responsive, and more aero than Shimano’s previous models. However, the Sora’s calipers did get an upgrade. Now they have at least 20% more braking power than models had in the past. They offer an impressive bang for your buck with excellent braking capabilities, still, users should not expect the same level of stopping power as with the 105s.
Overall, we feel that the Shimano 105 is the optimal choice because it has many impressive features, it is highly durable and reliable, and it is much more affordable than the Sora.
When comparing groupsets to purchase, you can‘t go wrong with any of the products made by the industry leader Shimano. Over the years, the brand has decreased its technology from higher groupsets down to lower ones. This has caused the differences in groupset models to be very minimal with each upgrade.
The Shimano Sora was once looked over as a viable groupset. Today it is considered to be a great option for anyone seeking an affordable groupset when upgrading their bike.
If you are planning to upgrade your cycling, the Shimano brand has a lot to offer. When comparing their products, many cyclists will research Shimano Sora vs. 105 to understand both products better.
As we researched both products, we found that the Shimano Sora and the 105 are quality groupsets for any cycling enthusiast Trusted Source The great bicycle boom of 2020 Throughout lockdown, rusty bikes were dusted off in garages around the world and sales of new bikes surged. The question is now: can it last? www.bbc.com . However, in terms of price, durability, and capabilities, we found that the Shimano 105 was, in our opinion, the winner. And, if you are planning upgrade your sora to 105, that is absolutely worth it.
