Does anyone use campy components on their commuter?
 

Hey people, I am going to build up a fast commuter/light tourer/fun racer, most likely the frame will be a Gunnar Sport. Just wondering does anyone have any campy stuff on their bike, and if so, what is your opinion of it? Would you recommend for this type of bike? Why/why not? Please feel free to share any experiences you have had with them, good or bad, and any other comments you may have. Thanks!

p.s. I apologise for any of my silly questions that I am bound to have! ;)

I use only Campy. I am currently rebuilding my old steel commuter with a Veloce group. Nothing wrong with using it for your commuter.

Campy makes excelent componants, well engineered and great finish. Both my road bikes (commuter and road) use Campy and I have had no problems. I use brake lever/shifter type shifters (although Campy now makes MBT style thumb shifters if that suits your purpose) and like how they function compared to Shimano type, I also like how they look compared to Shimano.

No Campy on my bikes but then again the only Shimano is a front brake caliper and a fixed cog on one bike. There's no reason not to use Campy on a commuter other than Campy stuff tends to be expensive. Shimano or SRAM MTB components tend to be sealed for better longevity in adverse conditions and are usually cheaper which decreases replacement cost. But if you like Campy and don't mind spending the money then go for it. For myself my commuter will continue to run the cheap low maintence fixie stuff.
Craig

I also switched over. I was using Shimano 105/Ultegra on my cross/commuter/trainer....I took it all off and put on my older Campy 8 speed components. I am now going to upgrade and get either Veloce or Centaur(most likely Centaur) 10 speed on my cross. My carbon has Chorus/Record 10 speed. I will never use Shimano again.

I use a Campy C-Record rear derailleur, crankset, seatpost and rear hub on my Frankenbike commuter. I like the way it works, although I like some older Shimano stuff too.

Campy Veloce setup was my original chocie for my commuter, I got sidetracked with a good deal on a different bike with shimano, but next bike I build will again be campy.

I used to ride a Bianchi Eros and the Campy shifters were, by far, the best I have ever seen. I liked the fact that there was a lever and a thumb shifter on each bar, one for shifting up and one for shifting down. I have always had a hard time using the same lever for both, especially as the ride lengthens and I start to tire.

Sure... Campy cranks, front derailleur, and hubs.

This subject line is just begging for some joke involving another meaning of the word "campy".

pink bike with streamers off the handlebar grips and those rainbow-colored pieces of plastic that slide up and down the spokes, clickety-clack, when you ride...

now that bike has campy components. :)

Really? I found a Campy Centaur group set for about au. $250 cheaper than a Shimano Ultegra group set. I understand that Centaur and Ultegra are at a similar level of componentry. Am I correct in saying this?

Friend of mine at work just bought a Rodriguez Adventure for commuting that has Campy Mirage derailers and shifters and Veloce hubs. He's happy with it.

I think its difficult to compare Shimano groups to Campy groups because (starting from the top) Shimano doesn't make a group that is equivilent to the Campy Record group; its just a level above any group made by Shimano. The Shimano Dura ace group is on a par with the Campy Chorus group and then you can go down (matching groups) from there I guess.

I dont think that this is what the OP had in mind, but I have some Campy MB shifters/brakes on this Early 60's Schwinn. I used to use this bike for my commuter, before I had a 10 mile commute with a 1800 foot 15% grade.

yes. rear wheel is an Atlanta '96 deep dish rim laced to a Record track hub. lovely, strong rim... perfect for commuting.

http://www.nicomachus.net/images/canon/fixedfuji.JPG

I'm not saying equivalent Campy is more expensive than Shimano just that Campy only hits the higher price points and not the budget pricepoints. I havn't seen a Campy drivetrain for the <$500 bike. My most expensive commuter is $400 and it stays home on rainy days (fenderless). But like I've mentioned I run fixie so my drive train budget goes much further.
Deore LX and SRAM 7.0 are decent reliable parts that are well below the budget of any Campy drivetrains I have seen. If your commuter bike budget allow for Ultegra then Campy should also be a consideration. But if your on a Sora/Deore budget then it will be hard to find an equivalent Campy.
When I look at the Campy website I see more levels than I've ever seen available in the US so perhaps some markets have more budget priced Campy groups.

Craig