Shimano 105 vs Tiagra: Should You Upgrade?

Road riders are very particular about the function and feel of their drivetrain, braking, and shifting. The collection of components that are designed to be used together is called a group, groupset, or “gruppo” if the movie Breaking Away did not sully your your love of Italian cycling affectations.

Shimano has a reputation for building superb groups with technology that trickles down from one elite generation of Dura Ace components, down through Ultegra, 105 [one oh five], Tiagra, Sora, and the humble Claris line. There is some room for mixing components from various groups, but many of the components only work within their tier.

Let’s focus on the middle of that lineup, 105 and TiagraChoosing one of these options over the other might best serve the discerning and budget-conscious cyclist. The Tiagra line is considered one step below 105 because 105 is a tad lighter has smoother operation. But 105 has its limitations, and not everyone is counting grams and fractions of a second.

Is it worth the upgrade to 105 or does Tiagra fit the bill? Let’s take a closer look. 

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Speedplay vs Shimano: Which Pedal Is Right for You?

Pedals equal power. (At least in part.) And when it comes to road cycling, power is what it’s all about. With the right pair of pedals, you’ll be sailing up those hills faster than Sagan in a sprint.*

If you’re reading this article, I’m assuming you’re after a pair of road pedals. So, when we’re talking about Shimano pedals we’re comparing the SPD-SL range rather than the mountain biking SPDs.

If you’re new to clipless pedals, you may find our complete guide to clipless pedals useful, and if you’re interested in Look pedals, check out our comparison of Speedplays and Looks.

Right, let’s get started. Here’s a recap of what we’re looking for when comparing road cycling pedals.

*Cycling Hacks cannot guarantee this.

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Complete Guide to Clipless Pedals: How to Get Started Now

clipless pedals

As a beginner, upgrading to clipless pedals can feel like learning how to ride a bike all over again. But once you master the initial learning curve, you’ll no-double feel more in control and powerful on the bike. Ready to take the plunge? Here’s everything you need to clip in and elevate your riding to the next level.

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Get in Gear: How to Choose the Best Road Bike Components

road bike components
They’re called groupsets, drivetrains and components, but they all refer to the group of parts responsible for shifting and braking. Choosing road bike components is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when buying a new bike or upgrading an existing one. Do you go with mechanical or electronic shifting or use a compact or standard crankset? We’re inundated with options, but it pays to take the time to match your riding style to the right components. It could mean the difference between spinning confidently up a hill and feeling constantly bogged down in your easiest gear.

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Shimano Camera Review

Shimano Sport Camera Review

When Shimano threw their hat into the lifestyle gear ring with the launch of their CM-1000 Sport Camera in 2014, they left out a key component— the camera’s accompanying software. Users had to wait until August of the following year to get their hands on the tools that promised to enhance the camera’s functionality by integrating metrics like power, speed, heart rate and Di2. Now that this sprinter has his leadout man, we can finally tell if Shimano’s point of view sport camera lives up to the initial hype.

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