Campy Record Mech or Shimano Ultegra Di2?
06-22-22, 03:56 PM
#26
Senior Member
I can compare my last Campy group, 2014 Chorus on my Merckx Century with the Ultegra Di2 on my Super Six. On a ride I’ve done four times, twice with each bike, over 125 miles and 16,000’, I was blown away by how comfortable my hands were at the end with the Ultegra Di2 setup with disc brakes. My Bolt tells me I shifted more than 2,000 times. The ease of shifting helps greatly on this ride. I agree that the finesse possible with Di2 makes that desperate shift possible. Di2 simply keeps working flawlessly.
06-23-22, 11:33 AM
#27
Newbie
I've owned every speed of Campy lever from 8 to 12 speed. Bob is right about the need to use some force with these levers, particularly the thumb button. One of the things I like about sram axs is the minimal force required to make every shift and the fact that two levers do all the work, where other brands require four. That's great with gloves on in the winter. Making shifts from the drops Is also easier since it requires only a light touch of the lever. I have small hands and use the brake lever adjustment at the closest to the bar position. I made a similar modification to all of my Campy levers about 15 years before Campy added that feature. A little epoxy putty behind the brake lever release pin will bring the brake lever in closer to the bars.
06-23-22, 05:29 PM
#28
Advocatus Diaboli
This might sound like I'm referring to the "character" difference between mechanical and electronic shifting, but this really is particular to modern Campy mechanical versus...well, anybody's electronic, so definitely Ultegra Di2:
- Campy requires a certain degree of brute force.
Neither is necessarily better than the other, but Campy definitely requires more effort.
- Campy requires a certain degree of brute force.
Neither is necessarily better than the other, but Campy definitely requires more effort.
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06-23-22, 06:38 PM
#29
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06-23-22, 07:31 PM
#30
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I also have a Campag 11 speed bike (H11) and a EKAR bike. One think I will say is that Campag disc brakes are substantially and dramatically better than the Shimano brakes.
I am used to the Campag way of shifting but I think people would be happy with either.
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06-25-22, 08:15 AM
#31
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Reading all of these posts is quite interesting, lots of experience here. I guess I’ll throw in my two cents on what I’ve learned.
I’ve owned 3 bikes with mechanical Record 10 or 11, one with SRAM Force and 5-6 with various degrees of Shimano usually Ultegra or Dura Ace (all mechanical) and I can’t say I really noticed much difference in terms of function, it was more preference for me once I put in enough miles to get used to each.
For me it’s Campy all the way and I’ve never noticed any more force needed to shift ? It certainly is different but it doesn’t seem harder (ALTM) I have to admit I’ve never tried electronic and likely never will as I just can’t justify the cost when I’m already so happy with what I have. Plus at 61 any “need” for an edge is far behind me 😄 I do centuries or farther as my ride of choice which tends to be in one gear for a long time so ease of shifting becomes less critical.
I still admire the technology and can’t help to wonder what’s next ?
I’ve owned 3 bikes with mechanical Record 10 or 11, one with SRAM Force and 5-6 with various degrees of Shimano usually Ultegra or Dura Ace (all mechanical) and I can’t say I really noticed much difference in terms of function, it was more preference for me once I put in enough miles to get used to each.
For me it’s Campy all the way and I’ve never noticed any more force needed to shift ? It certainly is different but it doesn’t seem harder (ALTM) I have to admit I’ve never tried electronic and likely never will as I just can’t justify the cost when I’m already so happy with what I have. Plus at 61 any “need” for an edge is far behind me 😄 I do centuries or farther as my ride of choice which tends to be in one gear for a long time so ease of shifting becomes less critical.
I still admire the technology and can’t help to wonder what’s next ?
06-25-22, 02:55 PM
#32
Senior Member
I'm 69. In July I'll have two years on sram force axs. Once set up, it doesn't need occasional tweaks. So much easier to make shifts from the drops.
06-26-22, 06:11 AM
#33
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Di2 is flawless. Well, almost. On vacation a couple weeks ago mine stopped shifting. Tracking down the disconnection without all the tools I needed or having no work stand was an issue.
I’d still take it every time and that disconnection was very very rare and caused by a bar tape issue. It was the only day I’ve ever missed mechanical.
I’d still take it every time and that disconnection was very very rare and caused by a bar tape issue. It was the only day I’ve ever missed mechanical.
