Campagnolo vs. Shimano
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 667
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Campagnolo vs. Shimano
Every bike I have ever had was Shimano based. Can someone tell me what the deal is with Campagnolo? Are these parts higher end than Shimano parts? This is only a point of interest. I am not going out and purchasing.
__________________
A Journey to Lose 170 -now 151 Pounds and a Place for Those Like Me
A Journey to Lose 170 -now 151 Pounds and a Place for Those Like Me
#2
Out fishing with Annie on his lap, a cigar in one hand and a ginger ale in the other, watching the sunset.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: South Florida
Posts: 16,057
Bikes: Techna Wheelchair and a Sun EZ 3 Recumbent Trike
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 22 Times
in
17 Posts
Price, status and name.....
Campy is an Italian manuf. and Schimano is Japanese. Campy does make some great hubs, wheels and dérailleurs though!
Campy is an Italian manuf. and Schimano is Japanese. Campy does make some great hubs, wheels and dérailleurs though!
__________________
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Manhattan KS
Posts: 431
Bikes: 2001 Giant OCR w/105-10spd, Schwinn High-Plains Built for Commute plus 3 Others in Various Stages of Rebuild/Repair
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Beware the box to which that question be the key..........
#4
Out fishing with Annie on his lap, a cigar in one hand and a ginger ale in the other, watching the sunset.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: South Florida
Posts: 16,057
Bikes: Techna Wheelchair and a Sun EZ 3 Recumbent Trike
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 22 Times
in
17 Posts
precisely why I kept it middle of the road!
__________________
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Beaufort, South Carolina, USA and surrounding islands.
Posts: 8,521
Bikes: Cannondale R500, Motobecane Messenger
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Campagnolo voids warranties if you are 1 gram over 70kg.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Toronto (again) Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,937
Bikes: Old Bike: 1975 Raleigh Delta, New Bike: 2004 Norco Bushpilot
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
Originally Posted by JumboRider
Every bike I have ever had was Shimano based. Can someone tell me what the deal is with Campagnolo? Are these parts higher end than Shimano parts? This is only a point of interest. I am not going out and purchasing.
Shimano is a large Japanese headquartered manufacturer, like many Asian companies, they have various subsidiaries operating all over Asia, under the same corporate name and brands. Bicycle components are their biggest product line, and fishing tackle is next, with a variety of other stuff thrown in.
There used to be several European bicycle component builders, in the 1970's when the bike boom occurred, the bike manufacturers switched to Japanese made components, which were a lot cheaper. Campy seemed to have retained a cult following, and survived when many others did not. I think Rohloff and SRAM, both in Germany are the only other European manufacturers still in business today.
There is a debate about whether Campy products and Clydedom can mix, some people say that riders over 175lbs need not bother obtaining a Campy catalogue. Not sure though if this applies to all products, or just certain lines, where weight is an important factor.
#7
And he's single...
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 290
Bikes: 2006 Motobecane Mirage
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Campy routes cables internally as far as shifter cables going under the handlebar wrap. Shimano routes external. That's all I figure that matters. One is OCP (Campy). The other is Fred (Shimano). I personally like to have Fred shifters. It gives me a place to rest my helmet when the bikes being stored. Makes a nice shelf of cables.
#8
On my TARDIScycle!
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Eastside Seattlite Termite Mound
Posts: 3,925
Bikes: Trek 520, Trek Navigator 300, Peugeot Versailles PE10DE
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Shimano v. Campy?
In the video card world it's ATI v. nVidia?
CPU world, it's Intel v. AMD?
Redneck world, Chevy v. Ford?
Programming world, OO v. Procedural?
OS world, Windows v. Linux?
Internet Search world, MSN v. Google?
Ya getting what I mean yet?
In the video card world it's ATI v. nVidia?
CPU world, it's Intel v. AMD?
Redneck world, Chevy v. Ford?
Programming world, OO v. Procedural?
OS world, Windows v. Linux?
Internet Search world, MSN v. Google?
Ya getting what I mean yet?
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: California
Posts: 2,991
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I finally rode campy the other day after many thousands of shimano miles....I only noticed an adjustment to thumb shifting...picked up rather quickly...much ado about nothing...ride what you like.
__________________
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Redlands, CA
Posts: 202
Bikes: Cruzbike Silvio, Cruzbike Mtb Conversion, Raleigh Technium (converted to fixie)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by jaxgtr
Campy can also be rebuilt, Shimano you trash and buy new.
Mark
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 345
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
For some, this debate is second only to religion or politics. I have the 'second-level' groups of both (Ultegra and Chorus), and both work just fine. I prefer the thumb-shifting of the Campagnolo and the fact that you can drop several cogs at once. I seem to be developing a preference for the hood shape of the Chorus as well, but that could be because most of my riding is on the Chorus-equipped bike. Campy is a few percentage points more expensive than the comparable Shimano group, but I will still go for Chorus or Record for my next build.
Oh, and one small correction to wogsterca's post - SRAM is actually an American company, based in Chicago.
Oh, and one small correction to wogsterca's post - SRAM is actually an American company, based in Chicago.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Manhattan KS
Posts: 431
Bikes: 2001 Giant OCR w/105-10spd, Schwinn High-Plains Built for Commute plus 3 Others in Various Stages of Rebuild/Repair
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Wogsterca may have been thinking of sachs, which was a german/european company bought by SRAM
#14
This Space For Rent
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern IL
Posts: 657
Bikes: 2007 Specialized HardRock Sport, 1982 Schwinn Super Le Tour
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What are Campagnolo's MTB sets called? I don't think I have ever seen them on one. Of course, they may just not be in the price level I look at. lol
#15
Steel is Real.
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Lakeside, CA
Posts: 967
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You can do the best of both, campy brifters with shimano derailleurs.
Google jtek shiftmate.
Google jtek shiftmate.
__________________
Mark Wolfe -- Lakeside, CA
2007 Bacchetta 700c Carbon Aero
2005 Bacchetta Corsa
2004 Surly Long Haul Trucker
1990 Waterford Paramount
Mark Wolfe -- Lakeside, CA
2007 Bacchetta 700c Carbon Aero
2005 Bacchetta Corsa
2004 Surly Long Haul Trucker
1990 Waterford Paramount
#16
Senior Curmudgeon
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Directly above the center of the earth
Posts: 3,856
Bikes: Varies by day
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
I've ridden both. I think that Campy wheels are better than any Shimanos or Dura-Aces that I've ridden. I think that there's no significant difference in shifters, brakes, or other parts. To some, parts brand is religion. To me, it's just what works. I've no more investment in it than whether I get a Maytag or Amana washing machine.
__________________
Nishiki road bike, Raleigh road bike, Electra Cruiser Lux 7d, Electra Townie 3i, Electra Townie 1, Whatever I find today!
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Posts: 200
Bikes: Stowe(3), Terry(1), Cannondale Tandem (1)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
20+ years ago before we had remedial indexed shifting, campy would shift way better under load and in all conditions than anything coming out of Japan. It lasted forever, and with the exception of their indexed headsets (think brinneling), was insanely good. It felt different and better than the japanese gear of the time, and not by a small margin.
In the last 20 years, it appears the the Japanese have reeled all other bike parts companies in, and have passed them in many key areas.
Sheldon
In the last 20 years, it appears the the Japanese have reeled all other bike parts companies in, and have passed them in many key areas.
Sheldon
#18
Closet Bike-a-holic
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Way North of 635
Posts: 823
Bikes: '02 Cannondale R700 Road Warrior
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've ridden a Campy Chorus group for years. I know they have a weight limit on their stuff, but I've never had a problem.
The Campy v. Shimano begins and ends with pure preference. Do you like chocolate ice cream or vanilla? If I like chocolate and you like vanilla so be it. The two things I prefered about Campy over Shimano are:
1. Multiple gear shifting in a single shift. 2. You don't touch the break when you shift.
For what it's worth I'm 100% SRAM these days. Love the brifters.
There is little doubt in the cycling world the mystique behind Campy is far greater than the mega corporate likes of Shimano. The fact of the matter is they both perform their given functions.
The Campy v. Shimano begins and ends with pure preference. Do you like chocolate ice cream or vanilla? If I like chocolate and you like vanilla so be it. The two things I prefered about Campy over Shimano are:
1. Multiple gear shifting in a single shift. 2. You don't touch the break when you shift.
For what it's worth I'm 100% SRAM these days. Love the brifters.
There is little doubt in the cycling world the mystique behind Campy is far greater than the mega corporate likes of Shimano. The fact of the matter is they both perform their given functions.
__________________
The road don't go nowhere, stays right where it is.
www.friscocycling.com
www.hopefellowship.net
The road don't go nowhere, stays right where it is.
www.friscocycling.com
www.hopefellowship.net
#19
fishologist
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 1,199
Bikes: Diamondback MTB; Leader 736R
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
go to the road section and ask this question....it is a never ending debate over there....on second thought don't bother, they will probably be rude
__________________
We cannot solve problems with the same level of consciousness that created them. A.E.
1990 Diamond Back MTB
2007 Leader 736R
www.cohocyclist.blogspot.com
https://www.loopd.com/members/cohocyclist/Default.aspx
We cannot solve problems with the same level of consciousness that created them. A.E.
1990 Diamond Back MTB
2007 Leader 736R
www.cohocyclist.blogspot.com
https://www.loopd.com/members/cohocyclist/Default.aspx
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 597
Bikes: Kvale, Peugeot, Cervelo, Bridgestone
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've been riding with Campy components since the 1st bike boom although I have a Shimano Ultegra bike I bought used. I think Campy works better and lasts longer than Shimano. I'm essentially a frugal person so that's why I choose Campagnolo.
I can't imagine that weight limit being serious. Campy's parts are much more robust.
Status have nothing to do with my selection.
They make a great corkscrew, too.
I can't imagine that weight limit being serious. Campy's parts are much more robust.
Status have nothing to do with my selection.
They make a great corkscrew, too.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Posts: 1,383
Bikes: Cinelli Supercoursa 69, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Mondonico Diamond Extra 05, Coors Light Greg Lemond (built by Scapin) 88, Scapin MTB, Stumpjumper 83, Specialized Stumpjumper M4, Lemond Poprad 2001
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
Do you like the Mets or Yankees??? That is the level of the discussion. Almost all bicycle gruppos are the highest art of the machinist and engineer. All are good. All have pluses and minuses. Most discussions are centered around marketing hype.
The weight issue (I am 205 but have ridden for years at 235lbs): I have never heard on weight being an issue on a broken campy part. I bought my first bike in 1955 (Allegro Special Campy/stronglight/Weimann) and for all of my years (and miles) of riding Campy equipment I have never broken any components. When things get loose you can buy a spring, bushing, idler wheel, indexer, new chain rings, cassettes, or ball bearings for the campy gear. I have converted 8 to 9spd and 9 to 10spd without any problems. I have heard that you are more limited with Shimano in your options. I have ridden the new Dura Ace 10 spd components on a friend's bike. The ergonomics of the campy are a better fit for me. Other than that the Shimano group was alright...I wouldn't switch. I have a set of record hubs with over 25K miles that are still going strong. This and the topic of "Triple or not to triple" seem to garner the most Bloviating of any issue.
I prefer Campy because...probably it is because all my tools are Campy.
The weight issue (I am 205 but have ridden for years at 235lbs): I have never heard on weight being an issue on a broken campy part. I bought my first bike in 1955 (Allegro Special Campy/stronglight/Weimann) and for all of my years (and miles) of riding Campy equipment I have never broken any components. When things get loose you can buy a spring, bushing, idler wheel, indexer, new chain rings, cassettes, or ball bearings for the campy gear. I have converted 8 to 9spd and 9 to 10spd without any problems. I have heard that you are more limited with Shimano in your options. I have ridden the new Dura Ace 10 spd components on a friend's bike. The ergonomics of the campy are a better fit for me. Other than that the Shimano group was alright...I wouldn't switch. I have a set of record hubs with over 25K miles that are still going strong. This and the topic of "Triple or not to triple" seem to garner the most Bloviating of any issue.
I prefer Campy because...probably it is because all my tools are Campy.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 100
Bikes: Trek 2300, Cannondale ??, Univega Hyrid
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Stujoe
What are Campagnolo's MTB sets called? I don't think I have ever seen them on one. Of course, they may just not be in the price level I look at. lol
#23
"Purgatory Central"
Join Date: May 2005
Location: beautiful "Cypress Gardens" florida
Posts: 1,757
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Campagnolo's MTB line was short lived, and I think it was called 'Euclid' if I'm not mistaken. Think it was in the early 90's when they had that.
I've had road bikes all my life and Shimano makes some real junk in their low end components. Their higher end components like "600' and later 'Ultegra', and of course 'Dura-Ace' was some really good stuff. Nothing like their low level parts. On the other hand Campy's lowest level components were significantly better than Shimano's low level components. I still have a set of Shimano '600' hubs and they look like bike jewelry. Today Im using campy 'Record' hubs, and they are works of art, as well as the 'syncro 2' DT shifters I have on my bike.
IMO campy will always be better because road bike parts is all they make, right there in Vicenza Italy. (I use to live nearby in Verona.)
Shimano makes fishing reels, so the "passion" will never be on the same level as campagnolo.
I've had road bikes all my life and Shimano makes some real junk in their low end components. Their higher end components like "600' and later 'Ultegra', and of course 'Dura-Ace' was some really good stuff. Nothing like their low level parts. On the other hand Campy's lowest level components were significantly better than Shimano's low level components. I still have a set of Shimano '600' hubs and they look like bike jewelry. Today Im using campy 'Record' hubs, and they are works of art, as well as the 'syncro 2' DT shifters I have on my bike.
IMO campy will always be better because road bike parts is all they make, right there in Vicenza Italy. (I use to live nearby in Verona.)
Shimano makes fishing reels, so the "passion" will never be on the same level as campagnolo.