Athena vs Ultegra
05-06-15, 08:41 PM
#26
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I think the new Athena has the EPS upshift levers, which I'd like to have, both because I think ithey require less pressure to actuate, and I have kinda short thumbs, and reaching the old "elephant ear" shift paddles is a bit of a stretch, or at least a more deliberate action than I'd like ideally.
05-06-15, 09:15 PM
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That's ridiculous. Point of manufacture doesn't have a thing to do with it, not in the face brand name, tradition, and styling. Most know nothing of point of manufacture. I don't even think most of Campy's stuff is made in Italy, but rather in Romania or somewhere in eastern Europe, but that doesn't stop anyone from immediately identifying and feeling Campagnolo as Italian.
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05-07-15, 05:33 AM
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But what we believe, that which is in our mind, is the ONLY important thing. It's where decisions are made, and I'll point out it's not fantasy to believe that Campagnolo and Bianchi are iconic Italian brands:
05-07-15, 11:53 AM
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Ride a Bianchi because it has good ride qualities. Use Campy grouppos because they are good components. But don't kid yourself with the pretentious notion that somehow you are now imbibed with Italian culture because of your chosen brand of cycling equipment.
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05-07-15, 01:05 PM
#31
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05-07-15, 01:20 PM
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Go with what looks the best and feels most comfortable. I highly prefer Ultegra 6800 to anything below Campy Record.
05-07-15, 01:28 PM
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I just built a steel Bianchi with a black Nashbar 9 sp non-group. Looks like crap but performs flawlessly. Guess I should start saving up for the fines from the fashion police.
05-07-15, 01:57 PM
#34
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Sounds like a personal problem to me. It is your* bike so put whatever you want on it. I know what I want on mine.
05-07-15, 02:40 PM
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That's ridiculous. Point of manufacture doesn't have a thing to do with it, not in the face brand name, tradition, and styling. Most know nothing of point of manufacture. I don't even think most of Campy's stuff is made in Italy, but rather in Romania or somewhere in eastern Europe, but that doesn't stop anyone from immediately identifying and feeling Campagnolo as Italian.
05-07-15, 03:02 PM
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Your comparison ranking don't make sense to me, and I might even argue that Athena is between Ultrega and Dura Ace.
Certainly Athena is "on par" with Ultegra by price and as entry level electronic, but maybe you're thinking of some other measures?
"Trim level" wise, while I don't know what you mean specifically in this context, the availability of carbon options and choice of silver or black finishes for Athena would elevate it beyond Ultegras trim options. Plus, Athena is lighter.
I'd more readily put Dura-Ace between Chorus and Record, with Shimano fielding no competitor to Super Record.
Certainly Athena is "on par" with Ultegra by price and as entry level electronic, but maybe you're thinking of some other measures?
"Trim level" wise, while I don't know what you mean specifically in this context, the availability of carbon options and choice of silver or black finishes for Athena would elevate it beyond Ultegras trim options. Plus, Athena is lighter.
I'd more readily put Dura-Ace between Chorus and Record, with Shimano fielding no competitor to Super Record.
I prefer the larger hood on Campy as it is far more comfortable to me. That is very subjective, of course, but I love the feel of their hoods.
I have Shimano on my mtb and my hybrid and it is still excellent stuff. You can't go wrong with either one but Campy is just a tad better in my book.
05-07-15, 03:46 PM
#37
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Its really a personal choice. I have ridden both Shimano (mech and Di2) and Campy.
I prefer Campy because I like the ergonomics of the shifters. I don't at all like the shape of Shimano shifters.
I also like the feel of Campy shifting better, it has better feedback whereas Shimano has a lighter more isolated feel.
With Campy I can downshift by hitting the thumb lever with my water bottle which I have done many times.
Campy shifters are lighter and the brake lever is separate from the shifting.
I prefer Campy because I like the ergonomics of the shifters. I don't at all like the shape of Shimano shifters.
I also like the feel of Campy shifting better, it has better feedback whereas Shimano has a lighter more isolated feel.
With Campy I can downshift by hitting the thumb lever with my water bottle which I have done many times.
Campy shifters are lighter and the brake lever is separate from the shifting.
05-07-15, 04:28 PM
#39
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And that Nashbar/Microshift shifters use thumb triggers and the whole shifting thing is separate from the braking, a la Campy. It was kind of a joke.
05-07-15, 05:35 PM
#40
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Heh...I considered MS once when I thought of building a generic Chinese frame but I could not get over the non hidden cables. I heard it shifts fine but after starting with Shimano it's Campy for me all the way...
05-07-15, 07:03 PM
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I'm not denying that Bianchi and Campagnolo are iconic Italian brands and that they have their place in history as well as modern times but to say that one must be coupled to the other or any variation thereof smacks of nothing more than sanctimonious hot-air.
Ride a Bianchi because it has good ride qualities. Use Campy grouppos because they are good components. But don't kid yourself with the pretentious notion that somehow you are now imbibed with Italian culture because of your chosen brand of cycling equipment.
Ride a Bianchi because it has good ride qualities. Use Campy grouppos because they are good components. But don't kid yourself with the pretentious notion that somehow you are now imbibed with Italian culture because of your chosen brand of cycling equipment.
But anyway, the point was not that they must only be used together, but rather that they're very complementary in this context, particularly in matters of style, and superior to a Shimano gruppo for that reason.
05-08-15, 10:32 AM
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I have Athena Carbon shifters on my race bike and they function at least as good as my Record shifters on my other bike, sometimes I think they are better. Ultegra is fantastic as well. Congrats on the purchase add some pics of the build when you finish it.
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