Ultegra vs Centaur?
08-20-08 | 10:57 PM
#26
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Kitchener, ON
Bikes: 1994 Proctor Townsend Reynolds 753, TT S3 True North, Kona Major Jake, Kona Honky Tonk, Marinoni Puima, Cannondale BBU
I might just go with Chorus shifters and everything else Centaur... might even go Veloce on the FD, considering I never use the damn thing 
08-20-08 | 11:46 PM
#27
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,518
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From: San Jose, California
Bikes: 2001 Tommasini Sintesi w/ Campagnolo Daytona 10 Speed
If you want to go decent Campy...
Get the Centaur gruppo...
...but change to Chorus Crankset and Bottom Bracket.
I have Daytona 10sp with Chorus Crankset and Bottom Bracket...
I've never trusted el cheapo Campy BBs - which is why in the past I'd go Record BBs and nowadays Chorus.
...don't hesitate to check out SRAM as well...lotsa folks have great things to say about it.
=8-)
Get the Centaur gruppo...
...but change to Chorus Crankset and Bottom Bracket.
I have Daytona 10sp with Chorus Crankset and Bottom Bracket...
I've never trusted el cheapo Campy BBs - which is why in the past I'd go Record BBs and nowadays Chorus.
...don't hesitate to check out SRAM as well...lotsa folks have great things to say about it.
=8-)
08-21-08 | 03:25 AM
#29
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From: Brooklyn, NY. Made in France
I don't have short fingers. However, I and most others that I've known with long or short thumbs have had initial difficulty then have found that right angle in the drops.
08-21-08 | 03:29 AM
#30
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From: Brooklyn, NY. Made in France
08-21-08 | 05:57 AM
#31
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From: Los Angeles/Aveyron France
08-21-08 | 06:02 AM
#32
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From: ATL
Bikes: 2000 Trek 5200, 2007 Bianchi Pista
I'm using a mix of mostly Centaur and Veloce on my recent build, and love it. The shifting interface took a bit to get used to, but I like it a lot, and I'm even using that dreaded Escape mech.
08-21-08 | 08:00 AM
#34
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I have a frame which is going to be blasted and powder coated next month, and it will need a grouppo. I've been thinking about a change from Shimano to Campagnolo for a while now, my Cannondale CAAD 9 looks to be the right candidate. Its the 2007 Optimo 3 model with Ultegra brifters... Now my question is, will I notice a big performance jump from Ultegra to Centaur on the CAAD 9? I've never ridden Campy, but I've heard its more durable, repairable, shifts more reliably. If I move to Centaur on the Cannondale, then I'll use the 105/Ultegra parts for the other frame which needs powder coating...
If I move to Campy, I will be using the American Classic conversion cassette. Is there any drawback to that?
If I move to Campy, I will be using the American Classic conversion cassette. Is there any drawback to that?
campy everything but rear derailer. Use a SRAM rival, red or force RD and it will shift a shimano cassette. That's what I'm doing on one of my bikes. Works like a charm. Centaur brifters, sram rival RD, shimano cassette. Zinn had a writeup on it on Velonews.
The only downside I can think of using an AC conversion cassette is longevity. I wonder about it's durability.
08-21-08 | 11:37 AM
#36
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: alameda, CA
Bikes: 2004 Cinelli Supercorsa, 2005 Tommasini track, 1983 Specialized Expedition, 1991 Fuso Cyclocross, 1991 Masi Team 3V, 1989 Serotta, De Rosa Neo Primato
I do have a new Centaur UT compact crankset and FD that I might put on. Haven't decided yet.
08-21-08 | 12:09 PM
#37
Ductus Exemplo
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 745
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From: 85048
Bikes: 2008 ADK Custom Build
hell, I switched from Ultegra to Rival on one, and from Ultegra to Mirage on the other. No more Shimano for me.
My experience with them all is that a well adjusted groupset, no matter the flavor, will work as intended. For me it was about better fitting Brifters and crisper shifts.
It's all about what fits you and your tastes. Go for test rides...
Just my .02
My experience with them all is that a well adjusted groupset, no matter the flavor, will work as intended. For me it was about better fitting Brifters and crisper shifts.
It's all about what fits you and your tastes. Go for test rides...
Just my .02
Last edited by slimvela; 08-21-08 at 12:13 PM.
08-21-08 | 12:37 PM
#38
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 128
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From: Kirkland, WA
Chorus levers and Centaur everything else is super bang for the buck.
Depending on your needs to you can find the older square taper Carbon Chorus cranks for a good deal...
08-21-08 | 12:49 PM
#40
Triathlon = Eat/Bike/Nap
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,100
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From: Pixxxburgh, PA
After I spent about 20 minutes in the drops I got used to it and have been great ever since.
08-21-08 | 01:02 PM
#41
Living the n+1
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,746
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From: Off the back
Bikes: 2019 RM Pipeline, 2019 RM Blizzard, 2013 SuperX, 2007 Litespeed Vortex, 1970 Falcon Olympic, 2008 RM Metropolis IGH, 2004 Specialized Enduro, 2006 Langster
I have a bike with full DA and a bike with full Record. Both are fantastic groups in thier own way and shift fast and precise. I can't say that I prefer one over the other as each exude thier own charactoristics.
You really need to ride both to judge for youself.
You really need to ride both to judge for youself.
08-21-08 | 01:07 PM
#43
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,032
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From: Kitchener, ON
Bikes: 1994 Proctor Townsend Reynolds 753, TT S3 True North, Kona Major Jake, Kona Honky Tonk, Marinoni Puima, Cannondale BBU
08-21-08 | 04:47 PM
#44
Been there, done that; you're an idiot.
08-21-08 | 05:48 PM
#46
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37
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From: West Central, Texas
I have a bike with full DA and a bike with full Record. Both are fantastic groups in thier own way and shift fast and precise. I can't say that I prefer one over the other as each exude thier own charactoristics.
08-21-08 | 06:26 PM
#48
Pfft....cake is where it's at!
08-21-08 | 06:26 PM
#49
Wheelsuck
Joined: Jun 2007
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I've got a bike on Ultegra, one on Force, and one on older Mirage.
I like the Ultegra least of the 3, Force the best. I have to say, the Campy Mirage, even though it's old, isn't bad. For racing, I think the SRAM has a little better shifting position, but overall that's a minor gripe. Thumb shifting the Campy while sprinting in the drops is easy enough, I just have to remember which bike I'm on so I do the right thing.
If I had to convert to one setup for all three, it'd be SRAM, but the performance/cost ratio is real low for converting.
I like the Ultegra least of the 3, Force the best. I have to say, the Campy Mirage, even though it's old, isn't bad. For racing, I think the SRAM has a little better shifting position, but overall that's a minor gripe. Thumb shifting the Campy while sprinting in the drops is easy enough, I just have to remember which bike I'm on so I do the right thing.
If I had to convert to one setup for all three, it'd be SRAM, but the performance/cost ratio is real low for converting.
09-04-08 | 08:56 PM
#50
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,032
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From: Kitchener, ON
Bikes: 1994 Proctor Townsend Reynolds 753, TT S3 True North, Kona Major Jake, Kona Honky Tonk, Marinoni Puima, Cannondale BBU
So I had the upgrade done - straight to full 2008 Centaur with an American Classic cassette for my Mike Garcia wheels. Overall opinion is...very smooth cranks & BB; much more so than the R600 cranks that were removed. Shifting is very positive; however, I think the paddle position will take some getting used to.
The only knock against the group? brakes aren't as smooth as Shimano.
Will post pics once I get better light.
The only knock against the group? brakes aren't as smooth as Shimano.
Will post pics once I get better light.
