Originally Posted by caterham

Over the years,my own experience has been quite the opposite. I've always found that Campagnolo's aluminum alloys, anodizings,platings and bearing surfaces are consistantly tougher, stiffer, more durable and reliable than those of the top line Suntour or Shimano equivalents.To this day, I'm still using on a regular basis,Campy Nuovo Valentino & Nuovo Gran Sport, Nuovo and Super Record derailleurs, Record headsets, chainrings,hubs, pedals, cranksets & btm-bkts purchased new in the mid to late 70's.Concurrently, nearly every one of the Superbe Pro, Dura Ace & Crane equivalent components I owned simply wore out or showed significant wear with far fewer miles before they were eventually retired or sold. Where Suntour and Shimano gear excelled was in innovation and particularly shifting ease and smoothness that weren't(some would say have yet to be) matched by Campagnolo until modern times.