Originally Posted by
HillRider
I suppose that once you get used to it they aren't so bad but they would be dreadful if you routinely switched between them and a Campy or Shimano equipped bike. SRAM had to do something really different to get around the blanket-like patent coverage Shimano and Campy have on brifter designs.
My objection to SRAM road groups (and now Campy) is that they offer no triple cranks at any level. And, no, a compact isn't a suitable substitute.
Campy doesn't offer much, but they still have one triple crank, BB and FD. Any 10 speed shifter and medium or long cage RD will work with a triple. The long cage is only needed with a 13-29.
I used Campy triples for several years, but never their cranks because they didn't offer the 53/39/30 or 53/39/28 that I wanted. I had good luck with FSA ISIS cranks, but those are no longer made either.
http://www.campagnolo.com/jsp/en/gro...LE_catid_8.jsp
It won't be long before a 50/34 with a 12-29 11 speed is available from Campy. The low gear is a little lower than a 30/25, so it will match some triples.