Porkponey

I've got it stuck in my stupid head that the Athena group is something I want to own. I don't see much about it other than it is hard to maintain. Does anyone have any experience with it? Also if I wanted to go to other higher up 11speed campy can I do it piece by piece? Do it compute?

DropDeadFred

probably because it's pretty low on the list of groups...why even bother?

Porkponey

Can't afford or justify top tier stuff. Yet.

CuRed

If I was going 11, I'd go at least Chorus.
It's a Power Shift vs. Ultra Shift sort of thing.

Ramjm_2000

Out side of the power shift vs ultra shift (ability to shift/dump multiple gears at one time and a valid reason to upgrade the shifters) my experience with all levels of campy is once it's tuned it rarely needs to be fussed with. I can't imagine Athena (old centaur) is any different.

I <3 Robots

I remember reading that some pros actually put stoppers on the Ultra Shift to prevent the 5 gear dump.

ahsposo 

I know I'm guilty of coming out with some pretty stupid statements so I'm not one to throw stones here but Damn!




OP the Athena is absolutely outstanding equipment. Even Veloce is outstanding. Shimano 105 is too good for 95% of anybody you or I will ever see riding a bike on the road.

If you are the sort of rider that values performance/$$$ Athena will in my humble O will deliver. If you are the sort of rider that needs validation from other riders by impressing them with how much money you spent then sure Athena is probably not your cup of tea.

And yes Campy compatibility and rebuild-ability is far greater than the excellent competition.

I'm not sure you'll get a heck of a lot of utility out of the Ultra shift vs. Power Shift in Rockledge, FL.

https://www.campagnolo.com/jsp/en/groupset/catid_13.jsp

Drew Eckhardt 

You don't want 2011 shifters because Athena and below use the Powershift mechanism which can only go one cog smaller unlike first generation ergo levers built 1992-1999, second generation produced from 1998-2011, and 2009-2011 ultrashift levers.

Everything else will be great.

Sure.

Drew Eckhardt 

Nope.

Rear derailleurs come in

8 speed and 2000/older 9 speed
10 speed and 2001/newer 9 speed
11 speed

pull ratios versus just one for Shimano.

Wear out your circa 1997 Campagnolo rear derailleur and you'll need a rear mechanism, right shifter (because the post-2001 9 speed cam for first generation levers has been discontinued), and left shifter (because the hood shape changed) although 9 speed second generation levers are no longer available so you'll probably upgrade to 10 speed requiring new cassettes and chains.

Barely. For current shifters you can only buy a new assembly for $100 and re-use your existing brake blade, hood, and mounting hardware.

Although first generation ergo levers would theoretically last a lifetime, Campagnolo discontinued all the right shifter parts which eventually fail due to fatigue (front lever return spring, thumb lever return spring, G-spring carrier) except for the G-springs which are common to second generation levers.

You'll appreciate it any place you need to change rings which includes bridges over canals and causeways.