tiagra vs. shimano 105 and other ???s

Hello, I would love some good advice! I'm currently looking to buy my first road bike for the purposes of bike club rides (hopefully 60 mi), charity rides, and possibly getting into century rides. There are so many factors in determining which bike to buy and I'm experiencing some paralysis of analysis--I'm way too indecisive! I've been looking online for a good deal and test riding bikes at the LBS. I thought I had decided on the Trek 1.5 with Tiagra because I can tell a difference compared to Sora, but now I'm wondering if it would be worth spending about $300 more for a bike with the 105 component group. I asked my LBS to order the Trek 1.5. and if I would be obligated to buy since I'm still deciding and they said, "no, but there are only 7 left in the nation which are my size". Now, after further research, I'm thinking I should get a bike with 105 comps. Is it worth the extra money? Will the LBS blacklist me :confused: if I don't buy the Trek and have them assemble a bike I bought online? I'd love to just find a used bike somewhere with 105 at a good price, but this seems nearly impossible. Any leads on where to get discounted bikes besides Craigslist and ebay?
Thank you SO much! :D

Couple thousand miles+ on my road bike with Tiagra and it's fine. Shifts smooth, rides smooth. I'm glad I chose the bike that felt best over the bike with the "better" component group. The fact that it was cheaper was a bonus. Remember you can always upgrade later and probably for much less than $300 by buying over CL or ebay.

I ride much like you - local charity rides, centuries, etc. I did RAGBRAI on it two years ago, all rolling hills so constant shifting, and it was great.

Speaking from far too much experience, it never pays to be cheap.
DO NOT buy Sora. I don't even know why they make that group.

Thank you so much for your input regarding shimano 105 components vs. Tiagra. I think I've decided to go ahead and spend the dough on the 105. The following are my options at the LBS. Any feedback on these bikes would be GREATLY appreciated! I'm chronically indecisive! Thanks!!!
Trek 2.1WSD-$1350
Specialized Secteur Elite-$1400
Jamis Ventura Race-$1350
Giant Avail 1-$1350
Felt Z85 in a men's model-$1150
Cannondale Synapse 5-$1450
Unfortunately, only two of these bikes were available to test ride (Giant & Felt). The seat was really uncomfortable on the Giant and it didn't seem as smooth as the Felt. I would love the bike to just "speak to me" as some of you have written on other posts but as a new rider, I'm still trying to learn the bike's language :)
Thanks again!

I supermegaheart my Synapse 5...*sigh* That's all I got. Just wanted to give it a thumbs-up! :)

I would say, as a newer rider, pick from those bikes that you can test-ride and get a feel for/basic fit on before you buy. That narrows it down to the Giant and the Felt unless you can find one of the others somewhere else.

Sounds like you like the Felt a little more and it's cheaper, so I say go with that one.

I have to say I'm puzzled as to why the 105 is deemed "better" than Tiagra. I've had my bike with Tiagra components for 3 years and 7000 + miles. It shifts smoothly and solidly even now and I haven't had to replace anything. Hubby has had his bike with 105 components for 2 seasons and has had nothing but problems with it. He's even had to replace the front DR twice! Now, if he were a slob and a masher like me, that would be one thing, but he is meticulous about maintentance, doesn't shift under load, and doesn't ride it in the rain (on purpose).

I once took a maintenance class at our club, during which the mechanic told us that higher end components aren't necessarily higher QUALITY, they are mostly lighter. I'm sure there is a balance point there. I've ridden with Sora components and they are definitely not as nice as the Tiagra, but I can't say from what I've seen that 105 is $300 nicer than Tiagra. Personally, I'll stick with Tiagra

105 was not that "higher end" your mechanic was referring to. The difference between Ultegra and Dura Ace is primarily weight he is correct. There are functional differences between Tiagra and 105 though.

105 is considered the lowest standard "sport" type group. 105 is the industry standard (now) 10 speed and thus is compatible with higher end groupos and easily upgraded or interchanged. It's the lowest end everyone will recommend if you want to race, etc.

Tiagra is 9 speed and thus not easily compatible with any of the industry standard 10 speed groupos and a disadvantage.

That alone is a VERY LARGE functional (and practical) difference (and would make a HUGE cost difference if you were the type to upgrade or tinker and change things, etc).

I'm sorry to hear of your husband's troubles with 105, but that's not the norm. In fact his issues are the only ones I've really heard of with it. Conversely, your good experience with Tiagra is not really the norm either. Most find that while it is completely functional it does not hold a tune as well or as long as say 105 or Ultegra and is not as positive shifting. Not to mention you are stuck with 9 speed rear cassettes which can become an issue.

My Sora has NEVER functioned as well as my Ultegra. Yea, it "works" and after a tune it feels ok, but it's just ok and it never stays that way for very long. When it was the only thing I had I thought it was normal and fine and didn't particularly understand people calling it crap. But, I can put 1000's of hard miles on my Ultegra and never have to think about it (and that includes being a bad person and shifting under load and cross chaining occasionally; things I didn't do to the Sora because it would have pitched a hissy fit and killed the whole thing right then and there). I very seriously doubt I will ever buy or build a bike with less than 105 again.

My husband just switched from a Sora/Tiagra mix to all 105 and he couldn't believe the difference in shifting. He's so much happier.

I have the Jamis Ventura Race Femme with the 105's and I love it!

Specialized does make some "smooth as buttah" race bikes. Jamis is nice too, is the Ventura steel? If so, that would make it a smooth ride.

The Ventura is aluminum, not steel, but feels SO nice! I just test-rode one last night, and absolutely loved it.