Shimano Sora FD-3303-B/F

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at rebek and kroes

Favorite Ride:
trek 1000

Bike Setup:
trek 1000c , Deore lx rear derailleur, touring rack , conti sport tires ,

Summary:
Hey . It's the cheap of the cheap when it comes down to it. But for the price it works wonders compaired to old tech down tube friction shifting .I did trade my rear derailleur for a deore LX . this combinnation has kept up with the best riders around here . Upshifts are great downshifts have too be gental when you go to the granny gear . I hardly ever use it anyways.

Strengths:
Cheap but still good quality for the price . Cheap !!! If it brakes like the expensive dura ace and ultgra does some times . hey , you dont break the bank to change it for new ! I've been on rides where brand new ultegra parts striped , leaving the owners mad . My sora sailed along NP.

Weaknesses:
Rear derailleur is not the quality part of the rest of the groupo . Change it and you got a good group .I real do like the thumb shifter . As I can sit more up right then reaching down for the shifter so much .As tiagra,105,etc...

Similar Products Used:
stem shifts , downtubes etc..

Price Paid:  $0.00 at came with bike

Favorite Ride:
Gatineau Park up Fortune Rd.

Bike Setup:
mostly stock schwinn fastback 2001

Summary:
I really can't tell the difference between road derailleurs... They are all super simple in design, and go through very similar manufacturing. though the sora i'm using is a little flexier than my friends campy mirage. It shifts well if it's tuned right, and everything else is working well. (3/5 for value since it's really not worth buying.. spend the extra $20 and get the 105)

Strengths:
Cheap (but all derailleurs are cheap), simple, works on triple cranks

Weaknesses:
Lamer sticker, kinda flexy (causes a lag in shifting)

Similar Products Used:
shimano lx

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Fort Worth Cycle and

Favorite Ride:
All of them

Bike Setup:
Trek 1000 01' with shimano clipless,
Specialized saddle.

Summary:
I bought a Trek 1000 01' model year and the Sora was stock. It is sloppy and has popped off several times. Of course for the price you can't whine too much. I'm going to upgrade before too long.

Strengths:
Price. 4 of 5

Weaknesses:
first to second ring and vice versa.
Can't shift under load.
Definitely recreational.

Similar Products Used:
shimano suntour on old Univega Alpina Sport

Favorite Ride:
Outside

Bike Setup:
Trek 1000, clipless pedals

Summary:
There is a serious problem with the downshifting that cought me and a few others unawares. When Going from the largest to the middle ring, it leapfrogs to the bottom, losing all pedal resistance. This is usually a problem at higher cadences, but fairly dangerous in certain situations. I cant say that I have never missed a shift


Otherwise, it is what you expect for your money, and shifts quite nicely.

Strengths:
Cheap, upshifts real nice

Weaknesses:
Downshifting

Similar Products Used:
None

Favorite Ride:
all of them

Bike Setup:
Giant OCR all stock except for Selle AtaliaTurbomatic saddle and Shimano clipless pedals.

Summary:
the Sora component series(shifters,deraillurs,and cranks)are all really decent pieces of equipment,they all work well for their intended purpose(recreational road riding)unfortunatly,people try to win races with this stuff,and then it,s shortcomings are revealed,and then they complain about it!.lets face it,If you are going to race you NEED Ultegra(or dura Ace). this component series is on the heavy side,but when kept clean and lubed(and used for what it is intended for)these components work as well as anything out there.

Strengths:
this deraillur came with the bike,and except for it,s weight,it functions faultlessly!.

Weaknesses:
only i,ts weight.

Similar Products Used:
every kind of front changer you can imagine!.