Campy Chorus?
 

I have a chance to pick up the frame I want in either Campy Chorus or Ultegra. The Chorus bike comes with Fulcrum Racing 3 wheels and some other upgrades, but basically it would be about $900 more.

I have never owned a Campy bike, so I wonder if it's worth the upgrade. I'm certainly no huge fan of Ultegra, which quite often feels sloppy and imprecise when I shift (and that's based on owning the last 3 Ultegra bikes over thousands of miles of high-intensity riding and racing).

I know this thread has been done to death, so apologies if this annoys the forum. But I wanted current thoughts on 10-spd Chorus v. Ultegra. Or should I go SRAM>? <g>

Give it a test ride and see what you think. Some people prefer shimano, some campy. You are going to have to see how the hoods feel to you before you can make an informed decision.

I own both: Shimano DA and Campy Chorus. In terms of smooth, consistant shifting under and above pressure--the same. As stated above, the hoods are different in size and comfort. I have thumb shifters on the Campy, and love it; but also like the tall hoods on the DA. Try them both and see what you like. It's all PP: personal preference.

Cheers

As Lowcel said, you need to ride both(or all three). I had ShimaNO on my first bike and though it was fine, never really cared for it. I rode a friends' Campy bike once and I was hooked. Every bike since then has been Campy. I feel so uncomfortable on the ShimaNO hoods.

As long as it's comfortable to YOU, it will be fine.

Doesn't that answer your question (if the $900 isn't prohibitive).

My Pedal Force RS is showing up in a few days. I went with the Chorus group, first time Campy user here after only using Shimano on previous bikes. I'm looking forward to it.

well the upgrades on the campy sound about right for the price if there are other upgrades on the bike. Fulcrum 3 wheels are around $700+ . I agree with everyone test out the bikes first. then take it from there. Now If you're enjoying Campy a lot more than the Shimano go with the Chorus...just so you won't end up having those what ifs...
BTW what are the other upgrades on the bike ?

Does the bike come with a Centaur option? Centaur and Ultegra are usually almost dollar for dollar. I'm running Campy Centaur 07 on my ride and really love it.

Chorus should be compared to Dura Ace, not Ultegra. Chorus makes the most sense of the Campy line in terms of cost, and performs identically to Record, it just weighs more. But unlike DA, with Chorus you can get compact cranks.
Once setup, forget it. Not barrel adjusters needed, and the micro-adjust FDR means that all 20 speeds are usable. Then there is multi-shifting and lever brake release, which Shimano can't do. Rebuildable, unlike Shimano (although this is a moot point, I've never worn out a Campy component). There are also ceramic bearing options.
Shimano's focus on development has been shifted to MTBs, whereas Campy is still a road group company.
If Shimano XTR features end up in Dura Ace, we might have something, but there isn't a real Dura Ace change until 09.

if you're used to 9 speed ultegra, i think you'll find the 10 speed stuff much better, the new ultegra sl even more so. but given the choice, i'd go with the campy without a second thought. i went to campy a couple years ago and like it much better. rebuildable, more fd trim options, hidden cables, independent brake levers all give campy the edge to me.

Has anyone needed to rebuild anything Campy yet? I'm still waiting.

Yes. Crash wrecked my Centaur levers. Easy as pie. Also just finished re-lubing my Centaur hubs. Easy as pie.

To the OP: go with Campy, unless you want to go with Shimano. In that case, go with Shimano.

I agree with the few responses of ultegra being sloppy at times. I have it on both my bikes and it does have its days. The tommaso does have a DA rear der. and that shows some precision over ultegra.

Get the chorus, wipe the tomato sauce off and you will be very pleased!

I had to have my Chorus right brifter rebuilt after an accident. The body broke. I sent it to Branford when he was still in Montana and it came back a few weeks later good as new. I've been riding it for 2 years now and it hasn't given any trouble whatsoever.

I'd be interested to know if anyone has ever worn one out.

Yes, Chorus.

I guess I meant wore one out. But crashes are more likely.

Chorus.

I had to do my right shifter last year? I think it cost $15 for the new spring and round washer. Sure cheaper than a new set of shifters.

Chorus. To me, no comparison.

I rebuilt my brifters (Veloce 9 speed circa 1998) in 2003, I think.

Chorus.

But then, I'm Campy biased after using both brands. Chorus is really better suited to a DA comparison. For a more direct comparison, Centaur is more like an Ultegra equal as far as performance goes.

There's nothing sloppy about Campy stuff. The shifting is much more snappy and mechanically sound than most of Shimanos stuff. When it shifts, you know it. You go "click", it goes "clunk". And, if it isn't tuned just right, it also lets you know it. Shimano tends to be very smooth and quiet, so determining the precision of your setup can be a bit more tedious. But, when it is right, Shimano is actually very nice shifting.

All in all, I still prefer Campy.

same as everyone, new spring in shifter. 1997 9 speed record and 2000-2001 (I think?) 10 speed carbon record shifter.

OP, go with chorus. Fantastic group, I had a bike with it and passed all the group to my wife. Racing 3 look like the good balance of money/performance wheel.

Whats the frame too?

They are both good with the differences generally coming down to personal preference. I don't know that I'd spend an additional $900 just to get Chorus over Ultegra but if you are getting a much better wheelset then the difference might be warranted.

I've ridden both and there are things I like about both groups but ultimately I am riding Chorus and love it.

And in the 6 hours since I posted on this thread earlier, I had a chance to ride a Shimano equipped bike for the first time in 3 years. It was 105 so maybe not a completely fair comparison, but there just isn't any comparison. There is a definite solid feel to the shifts of Chorus that was totally lacking on the 105. You know when you are in gear with Campy. The 105 would fall into the right gear, but going up on either front or back felt sloppy. Having the internal lever act like the thumb button, and the brake lever be the internal lever didn't help me either. I was totally confused by it all. And not having trim control just made it worse.

I was thinking I'd take the bike to a shop to have it all adjusted, but maybe it already is adjusted, just not what I'm used to. This bike is my daughters new Spec Dolce Vita, and it is tiny too. So maybe being all scrunched up on it didn't help. Nice bike BTW. I look at this frame compared to what I see out there, in particular the MB, Dawes, and other BD bikes, and other cheaper brands, and it is really well done with a spectacular paint job. CF bits too.

Centaur set-up
 

What your specs?
Thanks