Favourite Groupset

[Pietro]

I had only used Shimano Dura-Ace 7800 until I changed to SRAM Red about 6 months ago. I have two bikes & would regularly ride both as both were equipped with 7800. Since changing to SRAM Red on one of my bikes, my second bike with 7800 has been riden once! SRAM Red is vastly superior to 7800 and so it should be given it came along 6 or so years later (I think!). My only critisism of SRAM Red is the difficulty I have getting off my rear wheel when I need to change a tyre, tube or cassette. The rear wheel doesn't just drop out like it does with Shimano. You end up getting covered in grease & filth & doing this in a race (which luckily I haven't had to do YET) will definately take longer for the wheel change which means a longer harder chase!
I have just read the review of Shimano 7900 with great interest. Having not riden it yet, I can't really comment but can see through the pics & explanation that it could have been better! I'm not a big fan of the dark brushed look & would urge Shimano to bring out a Silver version (as per 7800) asap. That couldn't be that hard for a comapany as big as Shimano?
Alright, one more question that someone out there might be able to help me with. Although I ride SRAM Red, since wearing out my first chain & cassette, I have been mixing groups. I've been running an Ultegra cassette & dura-ace chain which work brilliantly, infact better than the original SRAM chain & cassette. I have heard that the Red chain and cassette have since been improved. Can I run the new Dura-Ace 7900 chain & cassette with the rest of the SRAM Red groupset? The new chain & cassette sound great so I hope I can!
See ya on the road!

Yes you can use a 7900 cogset($300) and 7900 chain($70) with Sram but remember, cogsets and chains are consumables. You get no performance advantage over those small number of grams saved.

105 10s cogset and chain works the same, has the same longevity as the lighter by a small bit and MUCH more expensive stuff.

 

[Porkpie]

Campag Record 10 speed

No going to 11 as swapping out 6 bikes is gonna be expensive...oh do have UT Chorus chainset on my winter bike but other than that its record for me

 

[nightfend]

105 10s cogset and chain works the same, has the same longevity as the lighter by a small bit and MUCH more expensive stuff.

Actually 105 and Ultegra cassettes will probably last longer as they use all steel cogs. Whereas the higher end Dura-Ace cassettes use softer titanium on the larger cogs. So save the highest end cassettes for race day or that really steep hill climb.

 

[rc_dude]

Campagnolo Super Record 11.

 

[titan_90]

I think the old Campagnolo Record C was probably the most beautiful component group anyone ever made.

I totally agree, whenever I see a nice lugged frame with C Record I start drooling all over myself

I currently have Ultegra and I like it a lot but, on my next bike I am going with Campagnolo or Sram.

 

[lookkg386]

Last 2 bikes had Durace and then Ultegra, all i have known so can't say in all honesty if Shimano is the best or worst. But everyone is raving about SRAM and I have to admit it looks sick!!, money permitting it goes on next bike.

 

[Black Dog]

It seems that Shimano has lost its way with the latest 7900. The price is insane and the looks require the love of mother with an ugly child. I ran nine speed dura-ace for years but gave it up when the shifters went. No chance for repair. That was it for me, went to Campy chorus and have never looked back. Shifting is great and the serviceability and durability are amazing pluses since I don't change my components as often as I change my underwear.

 

[pharaonic]

Campag Chorus

I'm a Campagnolo fan - and have been for as long as I can remember. I remember being burnt by some Shimano 600 brakes in the early 80's that felt terrible, were hard to adjust and seemed to always be going out of adjustment. I ditched them and got some Record callipers. Still got 'em (although they feel pretty ordinary now compared with modern gear).

I've got 10sp Chorus on my "good bike" and love it. It works fantastically (as, I suspect, does ultegra and force etc) and looks beautiful. Carbon levers and no crayfish antennae-like cables flapping in the breeze. It's nice to know that when the levers' internals wear out, I can get some spares and rebuild them for a fraction of the cost of replacing them. I've already done this once with my 9sp veloce on my "training bike".

Beauty is of course in the eye of the beholder but I think the new Dura Ace is quite horrid looking although the new levers have got rid of the antennae at least.

 

[Treddly]

from my experience
*Campagnolo suits my use patterns, whereas
*Shimano wears out too fast and
*SRAM hasnt beeh around long enough for me to warm to it, but

have used both ergo style and flat bar SRAM Rival 10Spds lately and they seem efficient and clean on changes, just time will tell how reliable and service needy they are through whole of life !

Can't see the point in paying mega bucks for top end new stuff, mid range Campy is reliable, efficient and robust..

IMHO bling is for ego's and those happy to waste money on their's, unless you are sponsored, in which case soak it up!

 

[Advancedone]

The chainset is just out of this world, the acceleration after just a quick step on the pedals is amazing. .

Matt, just wondering how a chainset really has anything to do with the acceleration. They all have chains wrapped around sprockets so no loss of transmission is occurring with any group. I know some cranks aren't as stiff as others but when your talking the top 3 groups I'd dare anyone to be able to discern any difference, if anything Red has the flexiest chainrings.

Now different bikes certainly do feel like they accelerate faster so I suppose a new groupset on a new bike may colour the way you feel.

Not being a smart a$$ just interested in why you thought what you did.

Personally I've just switched to DA 7900 and love it. FD is so smooth the change to the big ring is a delight. RD shifting is same as usual, smooth and precise. Levers feel good, nice flat transition though thicker close to the bar and not as bulbous at the end (sort of the opposite to 7800). Brakes are as always superb, plenty of power but good amounts of modulation allowing for heavy braking with carbon rims without lock up. Looks, well that is a personal thing (like groupsets really) but I like the looks. The levers look good now and the two tone looks purposeful. My only concern is the longevity of the dark areas. I think a few scratches and it may start to look shabby.

I was tempted to try RED but a friend who used it ended up changing the FD, chain and cassette to Shimano because of issues he had (probably more to do with the noise than real concerns) so decided to stick with what I knew.

Have used Record in the past and always liked it but found the bigger levers of DA more to my liking. The new shaped Campy levers may suit me better so may try it again someday.

Really it's good to have more choice and will hopefully make the Manufacturers push each other on development and price.

 

[biker jk]

I installed Ultegra 6700 on my new bike and love it. The front shifting with a compact crank is fantastic. Much better than my 105 on another bike. Rear shifting is great too despite what some reviews say about cable friction due to routing under the bar tape. Brakes are excellent and a noticeable improvement on 105. Great value for money as well since the groupset can be purchased for A$870.

 

[bonyme]

I installed Ultegra 6700 on my new bike and love it. The front shifting with a compact crank is fantastic. Much better than my 105 on another bike. Rear shifting is great too despite what some reviews say about cable friction due to routing under the bar tape. Brakes are excellent and a noticeable improvement on 105. Great value for money as well since the groupset can be purchased for A$870.

the only thing i've noticed is the sit lever. underneath the lever are the mechanical parts that keeps on touching my hand and it hurts a bit especially when you're not wearing gloves. hope you find solution for the upcoming model

 

[Inner Peace]

Gears are for suckers... the less the better, I say

 

[craig1985]

I have only ever had Sora or Ultegra.

 

[53 x 11]

I've had Shimano 600 (old ultegra), Ultegra, Centar, Record QS, Dura-Ace 7800 and 7900. And have test riding nearly every other group.

The best has been DA 7800, new stuff is good but needs some improvement. SRAM red is shocking. The build quality is just so low, its an embarrassment.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

I've had Shimano 600 (old ultegra), Ultegra, Centar, Record QS, Dura-Ace 7800 and 7900. And have test riding nearly every other group.

The best has been DA 7800, new stuff is good but needs some improvement. SRAM red is shocking. The build quality is just so low, its an embarrassment.

I agree, lots of red frogs and whizbangery but the fit and finish and reliability is poor(BB bearings will be cooked if you ride in the rain and don't OVH them). Chainrings, pulleys, cogsets, chains.

LOTS of sponsorship $, means lots of riders have it...transfers to the 'must be good' catagory..but....

Made quickly offshore, surprised it's as expensive as it is.

 

[TheDude]

The best thing about 2009 Campagnolo, is NOT 11s, IMHO. Much more ergonomic levers, completely new lever innards(no more broken spring carriers or shift springs) and the abandonment of the goofy Escape/QS found in 2007/8 Centaur and below groups. 11s is interesting because of some new interior cogs on 11-25 and a 12-27 but not the major improvment.

I have to agree here 100%. I put 2009 Centaur carbon on my city/utility/cyclocross bike and love it, The hoods are a great shape, reach is good. Everything is great. Action is light but smooth and positive, and shared witht he 11-speed stuff, except for a little disk with 10 rather than 11 notches. I choose 10 for both price and expected reliability of a bit wider chain. I like it so much I grabbed a secon alloy groupset (one of the last) that I plan to use on a retro rebuild.

If it were somebody else's money, super record (not DI2 for me), but for my money, Centaur all the way.


And what, nobody have any love for retro Simplex? (simply never worked I think was the idea behind the name?)