I was the newbie at one point who bought the Sora bike first. I didn't know I would get so 'hooked' and quickly wore that drive train completely out. It never was smooth shifting but did do the trick and got me into cycling so it's hard to say it was a bad decision. If I had to do over I would have prolly saved my $600 I spent on the Sora bike and applied it to the $2000 bike I bought later. I went ahead an bought a carbon bike at that point which ran my price up considerably but actually came out with decent components. Mine was a 105 and Ultegra mix. I supposed if you buy a nicer bike first you could always sell it if you decide you just don't like cycling all that well? Good luck.