Why the Obsession with Campagnolo?
 

It seems to be more of a cult following than anything else. They tend to bring so much money. I can think of other brands whos components are just as good in quality, if not better and are sold for so much less. So why are they so sought after if it isnt just the quality?

People like saying Campagnolo. Same reason people drink Pinot Grigio.

Only kidding though, like a lot of their stuff, old or new. Not willing to pay too much of a premium, but don't mind selling things to others who do :)

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...1&d=1379190655

Name and prestige. Personally I like Suntour on my C&V bikes but will admit my dad's anti-Shimano stance has rubbed off. Take brifters, for instance, you can rebuild Campagnolo while Shimano's are more disposable.

[MENTION=286310]Chrome Molly[/MENTION] I guess its like saying the word salsa

Styling excellence of the day besides quality of manufacture.
If you don't appreciate it, don't worry. Plenty of others who do.
You are correct that there is a dedicated following, you don't see guys with Shimano tattoos.
And Merckx rode Campagnolo.

I like Suntour and Sugino myself. Not a big fan of Shimano either.

I'm a fan of Italian frames. Imo Italian parts go on Italian frames. Other brands go on everything else. Again, just my opinion.

Writing it off as a "cult" following may make dealing with the question easier to answer, but it is just too easy.
Back before the big Japanese companies were very prevalent, Campagnolo gear was the top of the line,
the best available and used by all the top racing teams. Race proven under very harsh conditions.
It was well made and lasted and could be rebuilt if needed. Therefore, for those interested in owning bikes from a certain era, mainly racing bikes, it was and still is, the gear to have and use.
That's how I think about it. The fact that it is beautiful enters into it as well.

I think beauty is a lot of it. Tradition is obviously another.

there are some pretty non Campagnolo groups out there but as a whole, Campagnolo had their act together. I know good looks isn't needed for function, but if I'm buying a single component that costs what some new bikes do, I want it to look nice. campy also doesn't fool around with finishes. Shimano uses different finishes from generation to generation and group to group. Mixing them is a visual mess. My Tecno has parts from 8spd veloce (1995) all the way to 10spd record (2006). Not only does it all work seamlessly, but it all looks like one complete group. You can't even do that with dura ace and ultegra of the same years, sometimes they don't work together, and they rarely look good together.

the traditions is pretty obvious. They are a successful family business that has stayed relevant despite much larger competition.

Hooray, another bash other people's stuff thread!

Let's dissect your statement -

You really can't buy current stuff for much less than campagnolo, and whether it's as good is highly debateable. I'd say that statement is total BS and it isn't. I'd say that current campagnolo represents far superior value and many others feel the same way. Don't like it? Buy something else.

If you're talking about vintage - it depends on which years, and which equipment. There was a very brief period in the mid-80s through early 90s where Campy made an inferior product, other than that brief period, I think your statement is baloney for racing bikes. Your statement is too broad to have any value.

If you are referring to Nuovo & Super Record it was the Quality, as well as knowing that you were on proper pro equipment that wouldn't let you down. Nothing else was as precise, durable & reliable for race bikes in the 70's.

I'll be riding the same Campy HS, BB, front hub, pedals and rear derail. I've had in service for 40 years to the farmer's market in a few minutes.
Money well spent back when and perfectly serviceable today.

That being said I moved to Shimano kit in the 80's and have never looked back.

-Bandera

Cant afford Campagnolo?? I just sold off a bunch of it because it doesnt go with my Japanese bikes. Poor assumptions for $1000 Alex. I opted Suntour Superbe and Phil Wood for my current build. Sounds like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today. My post has no hint of bashing, only a simple question based off of an observation of other posts, comments and sales postings.

In the '70's and early '80's Campagnolo had the upper end of the market to themselves. Suntour and Shimano had some great products during this time, but also made some funky items.

Shimano 600 provided excellent performance and innovation at a bargain price. Campagnolo was not much better in the late '80's. Suntour Superbe and Sprint were great products, but Campagnolo and Shimano controlled a larger market share.

Once Shimano started with 9-speed Ultegra and Dura-Ace they left Suntour behind and fully matched the performance and prestige of Campagnolo.

I use Shimano 600 and am rewarded with great performance and value. Does it have the history and prestige of Campagnolo? No. But I have NOS indexed 8-speed drivetrain for light and fast shifts for a much lower cost than well-used friction shifters and drivetrain from Campagnolo.

I have generally dealt with mid range products....mostly suntour and shimano.......and recently rebuilt a few Campy hubs...I was impressed with now smooth they felt after rebuilding. I can understand why they have a following.

Quality , beauty, and serviceability.

It does.

Reads as more than a just a hint of bashing.


I think I have one piece of Campagnolo equipment- I don't use it.

When I hold top-line vintage cranksets by Sugino, Sun Tour, Shimano, SR and Campagnolo side-by side it's easy to see which one is of the highest quality. The others are nice, but I choose the Campagnolo every time.

On the other hand, I resent Shimano's long-running market strategy to corner the market by killing off their competitors so I have no real choices. I don't buy Shimano for that reason.

Campy is for closers :D

I say cult following because people are fanatic about the brand. The same as how fans are at a Formula 1 race for Ferrari.

You're right - edited. I'm too used to seeing posts like that. However whether you realize it or not, it is a bashing post IMO.

Phil Wood makes some nice stuff - he doesn't make complete groups and it's not better for every purpose. Suntour also made some nice stuff - I personally find most of it ugly as **** with a crude finish and most of it was imitation campy in styling before the 80s. To each their own.

I understand your point and I agree that it may have had a hint of bashing now that I read it again. Not my intention at all. More of a curiosity is all.

Campagnolo is very pretty, and pricy. Some of it even functions wonderfully, I think it's pretty easy to see why some people love it so. I prefer Shimano and Suntour myself, a lot less pretty but you get massive performance for a little cash.

:cheers:

It really depends on the era - there are so many different periods that it's a hard question to answer. I would rather use 80s Suntour than c-record - I agree with you. My personal preference is for lose ball over cartridge, but there's no right/wrong to it.

I like modern campy best for function, but some of the reasons are very subjective - like hood shape. I can't abide Shimano levers and Suntour are worse for me. Just on aesthetics, I usually find Suntour lacking and I do think their rear derailleur advantage is exaggerated for most gear clusters.

I don't think there's any other brand of component that equals Campagnolo for feel, finish, and aesthetic.

IMO these are the 3 qualities that endears them so to so many.

FYI @auchencrow I tagged you, quoted you and mentioned you in this post lol