Inside the Campy Factory
11-05-11, 08:04 AM
#51
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I get that. Some don't. I like Shimano shifter hood comfort...shifting method not so much having a pivoting brake lever but no doubt
could acclimate to it. Red shifting is cool in my opinon...double tap makes a lot of sense...but I don't like the hood ergos of Red shifters...I feel the gaping hole under the hoods when out of the saddle with hands wrapped around the hoods. So I like Campy hood ergos the best. I also like separate up and down shifting...button and lever. All the top line stuff is excellent...all what you prefer.
could acclimate to it. Red shifting is cool in my opinon...double tap makes a lot of sense...but I don't like the hood ergos of Red shifters...I feel the gaping hole under the hoods when out of the saddle with hands wrapped around the hoods. So I like Campy hood ergos the best. I also like separate up and down shifting...button and lever. All the top line stuff is excellent...all what you prefer.
11-05-11, 08:05 AM
#52
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I agree. If you pay retail, Campy is still a bargain considering how it's made. I'm glad they don't charge what they are worth in reliability and form! Not paying retail, I bought my full Record 11 group last year, when the dollar was killing the Pound, and got a great price from Shiny Bikes. WAY cheaper than an SRAM Red group from Performance or Competitive Cyclist, etc.
As for the chain, there are currently NO quick links (or 10 speed chain) that will work well with the 11 speed drivetrain. I tried a Super Link, and wound up going back to the rivets and Campy tool (which is a work of art in itself).
As for the chain, there are currently NO quick links (or 10 speed chain) that will work well with the 11 speed drivetrain. I tried a Super Link, and wound up going back to the rivets and Campy tool (which is a work of art in itself).
11-05-11, 08:50 AM
#53
Senior Member
At my LBS, they sell and work on everything but all consider the Campy the absolute best. I have ridden Campy for 36 years and the number of failures and problems....I can not even remember the last time something broke or needed replacement outside of chain and sprockets. I can't compare them to SRAM or Shimano though as I have never ridden them.
11-05-11, 09:14 AM
#54
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A note on the chain. I haven't broken into the 11s stuff like many of you guys have...and not sure if there is a decent 11s aftermarket chain. I run 2010 Campy 10s however and run KMC chains for years with their master link called a 'Missing Link'. I also run a 9speed Missing Link on my mtb Ultegra chain. The KMC 10s chain can be shorted with a $10 Park chain tool and their Missing Link can generally be taken apart and reassembled without tools. I really couldn't ask for a better shifting bike or one that rides more quietly...the wind and wheels make more noise than the driveline. Not sure if a 10s KMC chain will work for 11s Campy as it maybe a fraction too wide. It may work but not have the X-chain performance of the Campy 11s chain. My personal view is the 11s chain while no doubt works flawlessly is a case where the price exceeds its value. Some Campy purists may disagree however and say the exclusive Campy tool and chain are worth it. At the current time the 11s Campy chain maybe the only chain that will give 11s performance you expect from Campy but for 10s, KMC chains are hard to beat for cost and performance.
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11-05-11, 10:07 AM
#55
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KMC makes a Campy 11 compatible chain. I use the Campy chain, though. As I said previously, there is no reason to own their special tool unless you really want it. The Park tool works quite well. The Campy 11 chains don't last as long as the ten speed stuff, but the shifting is so much better, it's worth it. It has the shorter throw of recent ten speed with the snap and positive engagement of older ten speed. When the 11s chain wears, it tends to get noisy long before it gets measurable elongation.
Thanks...good to know.
11-05-11, 10:31 AM
#56
shedding fat
A note on the chain. I haven't broken into the 11s stuff like many of you guys have...and not sure if there is a decent 11s aftermarket chain. I run 2010 Campy 10s however and run KMC chains for years with their master link called a 'Missing Link'. I also run a 9speed Missing Link on my mtb Ultegra chain. The KMC 10s chain can be shorted with a $10 Park chain tool and their Missing Link can generally be taken apart and reassembled without tools. I really couldn't ask for a better shifting bike or one that rides more quietly...the wind and wheels make more noise than the driveline. Not sure if a 10s KMC chain will work for 11s Campy as it maybe a fraction too wide. It may work but not have the X-chain performance of the Campy 11s chain. My personal view is the 11s chain while no doubt works flawlessly is a case where the price exceeds its value. Some Campy purists may disagree however and say the exclusive Campy tool and chain are worth it. At the current time the 11s Campy chain maybe the only chain that will give 11s performance you expect from Campy but for 10s, KMC chains are hard to beat for cost and performance.
I agree. If you pay retail, Campy is still a bargain considering how it's made. I'm glad they don't charge what they are worth in reliability and form! Not paying retail, I bought my full Record 11 group last year, when the dollar was killing the Pound, and got a great price from Shiny Bikes. WAY cheaper than an SRAM Red group from Performance or Competitive Cyclist, etc.
As for the chain, there are currently NO quick links (or 10 speed chain) that will work well with the 11 speed drivetrain. I tried a Super Link, and wound up going back to the rivets and Campy tool (which is a work of art in itself).
As for the chain, there are currently NO quick links (or 10 speed chain) that will work well with the 11 speed drivetrain. I tried a Super Link, and wound up going back to the rivets and Campy tool (which is a work of art in itself).
KMC makes a Campy 11 compatible chain. I use the Campy chain, though. As I said previously, there is no reason to own their special tool unless you really want it. The Park tool works quite well. The Campy 11 chains don't last as long as the ten speed stuff, but the shifting is so much better, it's worth it. It has the shorter throw of recent ten speed with the snap and positive engagement of older ten speed. When the 11s chain wears, it tends to get noisy long before it gets measurable elongation.
I haven't found the 10 sp chain to wear slower than the 11 sp. For me, I get about the same mileage out of both. The 11 Sp is a bit smoother on shifting.
Someone brought up the hands fitting on the hoods. That is a big deal. I have tried Shimano several times,especially lately on the hopes that my hands would like it so I could get Di2. Feels like chit to me and the same goes for SRAM. So, ergonomics is an issue for some.
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11-05-11, 11:23 AM
#57
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Interesting article.
I had the pleasure of meeting Valentino Campagnolo once, on the factory floor at Trek. At that time Trek was the largest importer of Campagnolo products in North America, and V. Campagnolo and Alfredo Columbo paid a visit. I happened to be wearing a "Campagnolo" T-shirt while brazing that day, Valentino saw it and commented "That's my name on your shirt!"
The article is not entirely factual. In one place it states:
In fact, Campagnolo did make components for the low-end market during the 70s bike boom -- the unlamented "Valentino" components.
I had the pleasure of meeting Valentino Campagnolo once, on the factory floor at Trek. At that time Trek was the largest importer of Campagnolo products in North America, and V. Campagnolo and Alfredo Columbo paid a visit. I happened to be wearing a "Campagnolo" T-shirt while brazing that day, Valentino saw it and commented "That's my name on your shirt!"
The article is not entirely factual. In one place it states:
During the bike boom of the 1970s, when every family in America kept a quiver of Schwinns in the garage, Campagnolo refused to expand to meet low-end demand.
11-05-11, 12:00 PM
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Campagnolo is still number one in my collection! I don't use the parts to show off. I want parts to be fail free, thats Campy. I still go by the quote "when campy breaks in, others break down", you can't beat that!
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11-05-11, 12:19 PM
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if this is supposed to be a dig referencing a mechanic that seamingly spends all his free times on the internet bashing campagnolo products you just as well forget it. this is the same technology used on lightning and specalized cranksets. face your bottom bracket shell...
edit: i just did a google search and every result on the first page was propagated by the same guy
edit: i just did a google search and every result on the first page was propagated by the same guy
Last edited by thirdgenbird; 11-05-11 at 12:24 PM.
01-12-12, 11:19 PM
#61
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I rode 105 for my first year (2011) and then bought a Veloce in December (2011). 105 shifts faster and lighter, but the Campy group is rock solid and clearly built for many years' service. The Campy bike is 6 pounds heavier than my Felt, but it has won a place in my heart. Classic quality speaks for itself, no apology needed.
01-13-12, 04:32 AM
#62
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I instinctively recoil at the idea of feeling an emotional attachment to a brand. I roll my eyes at Apple-zombies, and feel nauseous when women rhapsodize about shoes. And yet...I love Campagnolo.
Contradiction? Hypocrisy? Yeah, I guess it is. But I'll never put anything other than Campagnolo on my bike.
Contradiction? Hypocrisy? Yeah, I guess it is. But I'll never put anything other than Campagnolo on my bike.
01-13-12, 12:51 PM
#64
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I really love my Campy experience.
If only, if only they could get their US distribution more rational. I feel like a jerk buying cassettes and chains on line from Great Britain and last time I replaced cables, it was not with a Campy set - they were just silly expensive.
As a rule, I am willing to pay a small premium to purchase components locally, but I've been told point blank on different occasions at different shops, "You can buy a cassette on line for less than my cost. That's what I would do if I were you." I'm sure that someone in the industry could explain the US distribution strategy to me.
If only, if only they could get their US distribution more rational. I feel like a jerk buying cassettes and chains on line from Great Britain and last time I replaced cables, it was not with a Campy set - they were just silly expensive.
As a rule, I am willing to pay a small premium to purchase components locally, but I've been told point blank on different occasions at different shops, "You can buy a cassette on line for less than my cost. That's what I would do if I were you." I'm sure that someone in the industry could explain the US distribution strategy to me.
01-13-12, 03:33 PM
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Great article! I love the stubborn Italians for doing things the way they've been done for a long time. That is why some of the best food still exists in Italy... They still value craftsmanship, but also value soul & feeling. If any of you watch the British car show, Top Gear, you'll know that the hosts always prefer the Italian supercars to the German or British supercars because there's this magical soul that the Italians inject into everything they make. I can't explain it either... Visit Italy and you'll know what I'm talking about.
01-13-12, 03:45 PM
#66
Descends like a rock
Its a crime, I know, but it came that way and I cant afford to throw out perfectly good, working components. One day it will be upgraded...
01-13-12, 04:35 PM
#67
Senior Member
Just FYI - the closeout sheet at Excel usually has some good Campy deals. It's hard to compete with the UK, but I've found some decent (almost comparable) deals there.
