In that price range $7-900...you are pretty much paying for the frame...the components are pretty much the same across all the big makers, Trek, Specialized, Giant, Cannondale. But Giant usually have the lowest price on that component price range. But I think if you search around, you can get 105 rd and shifters. I dont know about Sora and especially the 2200 shifters

Actually thinking about it...the Specialized Alize or Trek 1.2 is DEFINITELY a better deal than the Defy 3.