Road Cycling - Campy or Shimano

Hi All

I'm in the process of trying to determine what to get as far as a group set. I have decided to go with a Waterford RST-14 frame but trying to learn more on what group set to get. What is the Campagnolo group set equivalent to the Shimano Ultegra. I would like to go with a triple instead of a double. I would like to hear your comments, help or ideas. Any feedback would be appreciated


Thanks
Art

Aaaaagh!!!!!!!

Centaur or Chorus would be the equal to Ultegra, except that both Campy groups are 10sp. Find bikes with both and ride them along with Ultegra and see which you like best. Make sure that you ride triples o all the groups, since the shift quality with a triple is different due to the long cage derailleur and wider span on the front derailleur. I am a BIG Campy fan, but YMMV.

Oh-oh... here we go again... :)

Many people consider Centaur to be the equivalent of Ultegra. Chorus is Dura-Ace equivalent and Record stands on its own.

make it stop! make it stop!!

Here we go again

Just so you know if you go with campy you may not need a triple. Campy offers a 29 tooth rear cassette while the largest shimano is a 27 tooth.

Oh yeah, as for the campy or shimano thing.....it is a personal thing. Having said that I love the record components on my bike, however I also have no problems with the Ultegra that I have had on previous bikes. As far as that goes I am even happy with the Tiagra on my cyclocross bike and the XT on my mountain bike. In my opinion having the components adjusted properly is much more important than which components you go with.

Just so you know if you go with campy you may not need a triple. Campy offers a 29 tooth rear cassette while the largest shimano is a 27 tooth.


This is true although you'll have to give up the 12 if you do that. To be honest, I think going with a triple is one of the better reasons to pick Campy as Campy front shifting on a triple is much less error-prone than Shimano and can be trimmed better.

The Great Debate, part 1,248!

Just so you know if you go with campy you may not need a triple. Campy offers a 29 tooth rear cassette while the largest shimano is a 27 tooth.
And don't forget compact cranks.Campy has one now.

Hi All

I'm in the process of trying to determine what to get as far as a group set. I have decided to go with a Waterford RST-14 frame but trying to learn more on what group set to get. What is the Campagnolo group set equivalent to the Shimano Ultegra. I would like to go with a triple instead of a double. I would like to hear your comments, help or ideas. Any feedback would be appreciated


Thanks
Art


:crash:

Neither, Sun Tour is the way to go :) :) Just kidding. Ride both, go with your gut and wallet.

And don't forget compact cranks.Campy has one now. oooooh i was thinking FSA...... am going to need a compact crank for my gearing to be good for my half/full Ironmans..... I think this justifies the upgrade to Campy :P what model/level are they?

oooooh i was thinking FSA...... am going to need a compact crank for my gearing to be good for my half/full Ironmans..... I think this justifies the upgrade to Campy :P what model/level are they?

I'd personally go with FSA, Ritchey, Specialties TA or IRD over Campy for compact cranks.

http://www.interlocracing.com/crank_mosaic_compact_lg.JPG

Thanks to those that responded with the help and answers. I really appreciate your feedback and thank you for your time. I haven’t been up to date on this hobby as far as the new equipment that’s available. I have been away from this hobby for about just under 30 years and now trying to get back into it. I have left it and have been into the car scene since I started driving since then. As I mentioned I’m in the process of ordering a new bike and plan to enjoy some of the road on two wheels instead of four.

I recently joined this forum to try to meet new people and to learn more about the equipment in this hobby. I understand some of you aren’t interested in answering some questions I have. Well that’s not a problem. This isn’t the first forum I have been in. I’m also an owner of a Corvette ZR-1, which I’m a member of, the Corvette Forum. As a forum member through out the years in the Corvette Forum, we had a lot of help on the parts, and tech issues, also lot of fun doing car show and built a lot friendship through out the country. Seems to me that’s a little different here. Asking a simple question here I’m already getting sarcastic replies from a few. Sorry if I offended you by posting this thread. But if you don’t want to answer the thread then don’t. I’m not asking you to answer it if you don’t want to. Also I’m not looking for any sarcastic answers just the facts, the pros and cons answers. If you want share some of your knowledge by answering them to help me then that’s great. But the ones that do want to answer my questions and want to help me I do thank you very much and do appreciate you time.

sarcastic replies are because this is one of the most debated (tiresomely so) subjects, along with double vs triple and shaken vs stired.

Do a search and find tons of threads on the topics.

sarcastic replies are because this is one of the most debated (tiresomely so) subjects, along with double vs triple and shaken vs stired.

Do a search and find tons of threads on the topics.

As I said, if you don't want to answer it then don't reply, simple as that!

I'd suggest trying both and deciding.

I have both Shimano and Campy, but like the Campy more...

As I said, if you don't want to answer it then don't reply, simple as that!
I was explaining to you why you got non-responsive replies. You seemed lost. But hey, if you wanna be a difficult, that's cool too.

I have 2 bikes, once with Campy and one with Shimano, and all I can say that they are different.. What ever you will get, you will get use to and love. No big differences between the two, each has its advantages and disadvantages, and I like them both for different reasons.


DON'T MAKE YOUR BIKE DECISION BASED ON CAMPY VS. SHIMANO!! get a bike that you like riding on, and never mind who made the groupo!!!...

Life is not vanilla and there are many issues to consider between the two. I use and prefer Campy primarily because I think that the ergo levers are more comfortable and intuitive than the shimano dual controls. The flat hood top fit my larger hands much more so the the scooped shape of the Shimano. I also prefer the button - tab style lever for shifting to a harder gear. It provides a nice thumb / fore fingers action. Buy the best group that you can afford. The old addage, "buy the best and cry once" probably best applies to bike stuff.

The triple crank will provide you with a bail out range of gears, but unless you are chugging up very steep grade or carry weigh (on you or the bike) or are not yet as fit as you would like to be, the triple could be a good choice but discussion about the compact crank with 110 mm crank spider is "spot on". I have been using a Ritchey Logic for 6 years now and it was a good investment. It's actually made by Sugino, a qualtity Jap manufacture. Back in the 70's, I rode one of their cranks and they are well made and affordable. I think that I recently saw the newer Ritchey Logic crank with the Isis style bottom bracket in Bike Nashbar for a very nice price.

Having just moved to Utah, there are some real hills out here and I removed the 42 smaller chain ring and replaced it with a 38, but I think that this thing can accomodate down to about a 34. For 10% grade and greater rides, I go with the 38 / 26 or 38 / 28 which gives me a fast spin for the steepest grades. Keep in mind that large jumps, say from the 34 to the big ring which will probably be a 53 don't really pose mechnical problems as much as you will find yourself trying to find that sweet spot which always seems to be in between. ANYWAY, a compact crank with a 38 or 37 small chain ring and a rear cassette with a 26, 27, or 28 large gear will give you plenty of hill climbing ratios. And, if you end up spending time in flatter territory, it's very easy to swap that cassette and change that small chain ring vs. pull the crank to put a double back on, take out some chain length or change the long cage rear derailure, fuss with the front derailure, and so on.

bla bla bla

Thanks to those that responded with the help and answers. I really appreciate your feedback and thank you for your time. I haven’t been up to date on this hobby as far as the new equipment that’s available. I have been away from this hobby for about just under 30 years and now trying to get back into it. I have left it and have been into the car scene since I started driving since then. As I mentioned I’m in the process of ordering a new bike and plan to enjoy some of the road on two wheels instead of four.

I recently joined this forum to try to meet new people and to learn more about the equipment in this hobby. I understand some of you aren’t interested in answering some questions I have. Well that’s not a problem. This isn’t the first forum I have been in. I’m also an owner of a Corvette ZR-1, which I’m a member of, the Corvette Forum. As a forum member through out the years in the Corvette Forum, we had a lot of help on the parts, and tech issues, also lot of fun doing car show and built a lot friendship through out the country. Seems to me that’s a little different here. Asking a simple question here I’m already getting sarcastic replies from a few. Sorry if I offended you by posting this thread. But if you don’t want to answer the thread then don’t. I’m not asking you to answer it if you don’t want to. Also I’m not looking for any sarcastic answers just the facts, the pros and cons answers. If you want share some of your knowledge by answering them to help me then that’s great. But the ones that do want to answer my questions and want to help me I do thank you very much and do appreciate you time.


I am sure with your "corvette" forum, if someone posts an old and tired thread, there'll be people telling him/her to "do a search".

BTW, has your "corvette" forum figured out how to beat a Viper stock? ;)

NO NO NO No more Campy vs. Shimano! Even the insane don't want to debate this anymore.

Speedemon-as a member of another forum you should know how these thing work, just give it some time and the humor will grow on you (or not).

It is exactly because of all my years on www.nasioc.com that I did a little search on this very topic before posting a similar question (like you, I am in the process of ordering a high end steel frame too). I also knew from my years on car boards how to take my lumps for not doing a search. So as a longtime car board guy yourself, surely you can understand their reaction. Especially if you search it! :eek:
So take yer lumps, shake it off, and welcome to the club. I haven't autocrossed once this season because of my rediscovery of the joys of cycling.

So anyways, here's my input as a person new to bike boards and therefore not totally jaded on this massive debate:

Through the search function, and a poll I posted over on cyclingforums, I am leaning toward Campy. I intend to get a double, and the 10sp cassette on Centaur is a selling point, as is the repairability of the parts. Also, since it isn't indexed, shifting can be fudged a bit if your cables get stretched out between tune-ups. Emotionally, I feel the tug of Campagnolo since I am ordering a steel bike (Axiom) in a retro color (mint). Lastly, I like the look of the stuff. The Shimano is cheaper and works quite well. But I have a baby on the way, and probably won't get to spend big money like this on myself for another couple of decades. So knowing I can't upgrade my bike until I'm 54, I'm going to spring the cash on what I really want. Nothing against the Shimano stuff, this decision is equal parts technical and emotional.

hey khuon.. what is better about those cranks?


and i'd go campy.. just as good, maybe more reliable, and definately better to look at... man.. i'd rather have some of that record near my goodies than a woman right now... carbon derailers are very very cool...


how reliable is record comapred to the rest? can anyone give a list of reliability?

hey khuon.. what is better about those cranks?

I and many others have had good experiences with FSA cranks. I know people who have had good experiences with IRD and Specialties TA cranks. A friend of mine just got in some Stronglight Pulsions (yes, I know that they're not compact). All in all the track records for those cranks and the manufacturer that make them are pretty good, they play nice with Campy components, they're probably more durable than Campy and they're much cheaper than Campy.

oh. also.. what is the more reliable for bottom brackets? you get all these track guys in the fixey area whining about squeaking splined brackets... are campy bb's a good thing? are they sealed (not shown on their website)?

if you were to set up a bike for reliability and performance.. what parts would you use for bb, headset, shifters, deraileurs?

also, waht is up with different cage size deraileurs?

oh. thanks. also what do you think about the ritchey bb compared to others?

oh. also.. what is the more reliable for bottom brackets? you get all these track guys in the fixey area whining about squeaking splined brackets... are campy bb's a good thing? are they sealed (not shown on their website)?

Personally speaking, if I wanted total bomb-proof reliability that's sealed against the elements, I'd go and stick a RaceFace Signature-series or FSA Platinum-series BB in there. Use the 108mm for double and 118mm for triple.

are the campy bb sealed?

are the campy bb sealed?


Yes it is.

cool.. i found online http://www.branfordbike.com/bottombr/bb3.html#item1 that phil bb's are very nice. light and durable. i think they are what i want someday.

Have you spent any time test riding both Campy and Shimano? The ergo levers v dual controls will feel very different in your hands. The hood profile is very differnt between the two. Campy is flat and Shimano is scooped. Campy tends to have a harder feel to how it shifts - not to say that it is hard to shift, but the spring tension feels stiffer - which I like. Some others perfer the very easy action of Shimano. Let that be the thing that motivates you to buy Campy or Shimano. There are a couple of other issues with regards to the Shimano dual control levers that I don't like, such as the shifter cable housings that come out of the side of the mechanism. They are there to get snagged in a tumble or on door handles, etc. The ferrel (sp?) can snap off and then you have to fix the stupid thing. The ergo levers tend to have a cleaner profile and the housings go underneath the bar tape, out of harm's way. However, the Dura Ace and it's cheaper brother Ultegra are flawless and pro racers love Dura Ace.

The price of a group between each manufacture may be similar but you will find that each component is not, such as derailures, cranks, brake shifters, etc. This can make for part by part upgrades based on your spare cash when replacement is necessary either expensive or "not too bad."

These days, the 10 speed groups have very expensive cassettes, in my opinion. These are wear-out parts and replacement can cost upwards of $100 or more depending on how much Ti is in it. If you can get a 9 speed group, do that. They work fine and there is good trickle down to the non flag ship (Record Dura Ace) groups making parts replacement affordable. The old 7 and 8 speed cassettes were very affordable at mid $20s.

Unfortunately these days, it's like politics - a two party choice. Suntour is long gone, as is Sachs, and Mavic although very good is best thought of for their wheel sets.

These days, the 10 speed groups have very expensive cassettes, in my opinion. These are wear-out parts and replacement can cost upwards of $100 or more depending on how much Ti is in it. If you can get a 9 speed group, do that. They work fine and there is good trickle down to the non flag ship (Record Dura Ace) groups making parts replacement affordable. The old 7 and 8 speed cassettes were very affordable at mid $20s.



I'd say go with ten speed for Campy and nine speed for Shimano. Ten speed goes much further down the Campy line. Veloce is the highest groupset with nine speed available and it comes in ten speed too. I suppose there's always the chance of NOS Centaur/Daytona in nine speed, though...