Campagnolo - Any point?

[Benotti69]

It is a pity there is only Campag or Shimano, when he had suntour and modolo there as well.

Saying that there are some decent independent brake caliper makers.

Best brakes I have used are the Mavic SSC's. I have them on two bikes and would have them on all of my bikes if I could find more sets of them. For some reason Mavic quit making them which is a shame.

Mavic were modolo with the mavic name on them, at least that what i understood.

 

[King Boonen]

Cheers guys.

I actually might hamstring myself on this as this is what currently is most appealing to me:

http://www.cotic.co.uk/product/escapade#blackgrape


Thing is, I can get a Ribble with Centaur or 105 for less than that...

 

[hiero2]

That Suntour stuff was great. Which goes to show you, staying in the industry is not just about making nice higher-end stuff as good as the high-end norm. Unfortunately the group did not make it past the transition to indexed shifting.

Campag is great.

If I recall correctly, Suntour actually introduced indexed shifting FIRST - but went about it entirely the wrong way, marketing wise. And Shimano consistently outdid Suntour in the marketing strategy. Which is why we have Shimano today, and not both.


Ooops, for OT and the OP: imo, go for the Campy. At least once in your life. Then you can complain about it being such a waste of money afterwards!

 

[stutue]

And if you ride enough, eventually something's going to break. In time, lots of somethings. ShimaNO wants to sell you an entire new component, not pieces parts. Everything you need for Campy rebuilds is readily available. I want to mend it. Myself. And be back on the road tomorrow

Actually, this is a decent point.

Shimano spares aren't so easy to get hold of. Campag are. I've rebuilt my Ergos 3 times. An easy 10 minute job with a £5 part (or less if its just the spring).

Although in the same time I haven't needed to service the Shimano STIs.

Leaving SRAM out of it, because I've never used it, I'd say there is little to choose between Shimano and Campag. It is all bloody good.

There are little tiny differences that mean more to some than others. Do you like the feel and function of Ergos or Stis? They both have little disadvantages. Ergos better in a sprint, but clunkier. Stis maybe too smooth.

Brakes? You need to pull harder on the Campags but they do modulate better. In an emergency I'd want Shimano...and as we all know brakes are for emergencies only.

Chainsets and BBs? Better bearings on the Campag but you'll need several specialist tools (very expensive too unless you go ghetto) to change them, and more time compared to Shimano.

I have both Record and DA. I fall in love with each of them every time I ride a single bike only for a while.

Its all good. Whichever of the two manufacturers you go for.

 

[avanti]

I would go for Campy as long as you do not mind the small shifting levers next to your thumb.

 

[SteveT]

I have always preferred Campag and more recently the ergo thumb lever I prefer to the double lever of Shinano.
Recently had my bikes stolen and had to replace with an off the peg bike, most of which it is almost impossible to get campag fitted, or so it seems.
I have to say that the Ultegra 6800 though is a marvellous group set.

I have an old MTB (Diamond Back Axis Pro) bought in the early nineties fitted with XTR, it has been used extensively and agressively, I have raced it a couple of times and it has been used through British winters and plenty of mud.
In all honesty I have never adjusted the gears in all those years, it is still the original chain and cassette and in recent years I haven't even oiled the chain and it still changes perfectly. Not a proud admission but it proves how good top end Shimano is.

On a road bike I would still go Campag though, my stolen bike had Super Record and it was a pleasure to ride.

I think the main issue with having Shimano on one bike and Campag on the other is not swapping chains and cassettes as this is rarely done. It is to me swapping wheels that is the issue and right now I cannot use my Eurus or Fulcrum wheels.

 

[richwagmn]

I have always preferred Campag and more recently the ergo thumb lever I prefer to the double lever of Shinano.
Recently had my bikes stolen and had to replace with an off the peg bike, most of which it is almost impossible to get campag fitted, or so it seems.
I have to say that the Ultegra 6800 though is a marvellous group set.

Shimano really nailed it with their 11 speed mech groups. Some of the best lever feel they've had in some time (so much better than 6700). Front shifting is best of breed and the brakes are excellent too.

For the money, I don't think anything tops Ultegra 6800.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

Shimano really nailed it with their 11 speed mech groups. Some of the best lever feel they've had in some time (so much better than 6700). Front shifting is best of breed and the brakes are excellent too.

For the money, I don't think anything tops Ultegra 6800.

Cept maybe Chorus..been around since 2009...took shimano 5 years to come to the mid priced, 11s party..and yep, all those shimano 10s wheels now obsolete..of wait, just take that 10s ultegra or DA wheel and swap the freehub....oh wait, can't do that.

AND don't forget to use those 20buck shift cables..or you will have the feel of 6700/7900...

 

[FignonLeGrand]

When did cables become so blooming expensive?! Back in the day they were a marginal item; now a set of either brand seems to come in at 40euro minimum.. . .

re the OT go for campag as a few people have observed why not try it. I have had loads of campag and shimano most of which have had good and bad (both brands more good than bad). re tools and stuff there are a few differences but you dont really need bearing pullers etc even if you change once a year its probably better to have the LBS do it. the return on investment for buying takes years compared to a few euros to have them take care of it.

 

[King Boonen]

Hi all, thanks for the advice. I don't want to stop the conversation but I have it's ordered a bike with 105 on it. No choice of campagnolo on what I went with in the end. Again, thanks for the advice.

 

[King Boonen]

What I bought:

http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/road/performance/volare-10

 

[kuoirad]

Nice looking bike.

I'm late to the party, but avanti said what I think wrt Campy - make sure you don't mind thumb shifting buttons. I'm willing to give Campy a try someday, but I really didn't like that "paradigm" with Shimano Sora (I know, I know...) shifters. My objection is more about having a shifter at my thumb. It's a personal pref, so far.

 

[King Boonen]

Nice looking bike.

I'm late to the party, but avanti said what I think wrt Campy - make sure you don't mind thumb shifting buttons. I'm willing to give Campy a try someday, but I really didn't like that "paradigm" with Shimano Sora (I know, I know...) shifters. My objection is more about having a shifter at my thumb. It's a personal pref, so far.

It's exactly what I wanted in terms of bike and 105 is better than I expected so I'll take it. I didn't have a preference so I'm happy.

Sora have dropped the thumb shift, you need to go down to Claris to get it back...

 

[fatsprintking]

I would buy a groupers these days based on the brake hoods that were most comfortable when it comes to Shimano v campag. Both will work fine. Campag is flasher and nicer to know you own, but there is a lot more Shimano around so everyone has bits and knows what they are doing if you need have them work on it, but for me what is comfortable is the big thing.

I find the Shimano hoods too bulky and prefer the campag hoods. I also prefer the thumb lever for some situations like sprinting.

If I could I would get chorus and be happy with that for the next 10years.

I do have a set of Shimano risk 7 speed levers on my old training bike and they are pretty good - so improvements are relative and the jump is not as big as many people would have you believe.

 

[King Boonen]

Cheers fatsprintking,

I tried Shimano levers I the shop and they seemed to fit my hands well. I have quite large hands so maybe they're better for me. Of course, there were no Campag equipped bikes for me to try...

I'll be don't my own work 90% of the time so I reality availability isn't a huge issue, I can get either next day from chainreaction, but Shimano does have the benefit of being stocked by everyone so I am glad about that.


Not much chance of me sprinting, group rides, training for mountain biking and commuting are what it'll be used for with possibly a couple of long tours included in Europe...

 

[ustabe]

I've got a repetitive motion strain on the middle finger of my right hand, from testing Shimano rear shifters on the workstand day in and day out, week in and week out.

I'm glad I selected SRAM Force for my personal bike, because I can shift with my ring finger and pinky on the same levers all day long--two clicks or one click.

I imagine Campy levers would work for me too, but, hey, SRAM's been good.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

I've got a repetitive motion strain on the middle finger of my right hand, from testing Shimano rear shifters on the workstand day in and day out, week in and week out.

I'm glad I selected SRAM Force for my personal bike, because I can shift with my ring finger and pinky on the same levers all day long--two clicks or one click.

I imagine Campy levers would work for me too, but, hey, SRAM's been good.

How about the LH shifter?..no way you can shift the front der with your pinky on your left hand. Even with the yaw crap, sram remains the poorest, least consistent, most prone to failure, stuff..

From this head wrench and bike shop owner for 14 years.

 

[winkybiker]

............. sram remains the poorest, least consistent, most prone to failure, stuff..

And with the introduction of hydraulic discs, producer of what is, by far, the ugliest brake lever/hood ever conceived. Beyond awful. Ahh! My eyes! I can't unsee the abomination! Save me.....ahhhhh

 

[ustabe]

How about the LH shifter?..no way you can shift the front der with your pinky on your left hand. Even with the yaw crap, sram remains the poorest, least consistent, most prone to failure, stuff..

From this head wrench and bike shop owner for 14 years.

Feeling a little opinionated today?

Your words, my experience with the bike. My intention wasn't to convince anyone to switch to SRAM, just to relate my happy experience with it, and one (stupid, niggling) disappointment with Shimano.

My apologies for not taking the seriousness of this discussion seriously.

 

[hiero2]

Cheers fatsprintking,

I tried Shimano levers I the shop and they seemed to fit my hands well. I have quite large hands so maybe they're better for me. Of course, there were no Campag equipped bikes for me to try...

I'll be don't my own work 90% of the time so I reality availability isn't a huge issue, I can get either next day from chainreaction, but Shimano does have the benefit of being stocked by everyone so I am glad about that.


Not much chance of me sprinting, group rides, training for mountain biking and commuting are what it'll be used for with possibly a couple of long tours included in Europe...

Sounds like yer doin' an Aplus job so far. Nice looking bike, too.

I wanted to add one point in the convo. It's been said, but not directly. You probably don't need the difference you'd get by going Campy, or upgrading to a nicer gruppo at this point.

The fancy stuff is real nice when you are riding 5-10K miles per year, or more, or yer racing. Until you've got loads of experience, and until you are pushing your existing setup to the limits, you won't notice a lot of the differences talked about here. 105 is good gear. It'll work.

So, when you start trying to beat everyone to the finish on the group ride, or hang with the first guys to the top of the climbs, so long as what you've got is comfortable, you've got yourself a good ride. You start trying to hang with the local strong men and fast boys, then a missed shift will hurt, and you'll want to upgrade.

My commuting bike isn't even 10 speed, not to notice that the cogs and the rear derailleur don't match (different groupsets). Meh, it works ok. It messes up in the top gears on a regular basis, but since I'm not in a hurry, no biggy.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

Feeling a little opinionated today?

Your words, my experience with the bike. My intention wasn't to convince anyone to switch to SRAM, just to relate my happy experience with it, and one (stupid, niggling) disappointment with Shimano.

My apologies for not taking the seriousness of this discussion seriously.

Ya need either EPS or Di2...Serious? It's about bikes ya know, toys.

 

[purcell]

Sounds like yer doin' an Aplus job so far. Nice looking bike, too.

I wanted to add one point in the convo. It's been said, but not directly. You probably don't need the difference you'd get by going Campy, or upgrading to a nicer gruppo at this point.

The fancy stuff is real nice when you are riding 5-10K miles per year, or more, or yer racing. Until you've got loads of experience, and until you are pushing your existing setup to the limits, you won't notice a lot of the differences talked about here. 105 is good gear. It'll work.

So, when you start trying to beat everyone to the finish on the group ride, or hang with the first guys to the top of the climbs, so long as what you've got is comfortable, you've got yourself a good ride. You start trying to hang with the local strong men and fast boys, then a missed shift will hurt, and you'll want to upgrade.

My commuting bike isn't even 10 speed, not to notice that the cogs and the rear derailleur don't match (different groupsets). Meh, it works ok. It messes up in the top gears on a regular basis, but since I'm not in a hurry, no biggy.

My commuting bike is mostly all Campy. Following an interesting suggestion of a Campy knowledgeable fellow I put an SRAM rear derailleur on it which allows me to use some of the Shimano hubbed wheels I have without running conversion cassettes or jTeks.

I have a couple of nice wheels with Shimano hubs and GP4 rims that I would like to use so, SRAM rd, Campy shifters and Shimano cassette. Works perfectly.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

My commuting bike is mostly all Campy. Following an interesting suggestion of a Campy knowledgeable fellow I put an SRAM rear derailleur on it which allows me to use some of the Shimano hubbed wheels I have without running conversion cassettes or jTeks.

I have a couple of nice wheels with Shimano hubs and GP4 rims that I would like to use so, SRAM rd, Campy shifters and Shimano cassette. Works perfectly.

If you're running all 11 speed, you don't even need any conversion cassettes or the like. It all works together fine.

 

[winkybiker]

http://www.stradacycles.com/why-we-love-and-promote-campagnolo/

 

[purcell]

If you're running all 11 speed, you don't even need any conversion cassettes or the like. It all works together fine.

I don't run 11 speed and have intention of converting 16 bikes.