Hey all,
I'm looking for my first road bike, and I've found a bike with Campagnolo Avanti components. I'm wondering how these compare to things like Shimano Sora, Tiagra, 105's, Ultegra, etc?

Here is the complete component set:
Campagnolo Avanti set
Campagnolo Avanti ErgoPower dual-pivot levers
Campagnolo Veloce 9-speed rear derailleur (though only 8 cogs)

Would I be better off getting a new bike equipped with 8-speed Sora, or are these Campy components much better?

Thanks

avanti was about if not the bottom of the barrel. I would not want 8 sped campy.

I use Avanti on my Bianchi Eros 1999. I think they rock. I have used Chorus and Avanti and they are equal.

I did ride Avanti once and thought it quite serviceable. And I'm a big fan of the current almost-bottom group, Mirage, so hey, why not?
Yeah, it was the bottom, where Xenon sits now. But 8-speed? Nothing wrong with 8 unless you want practically gapless ratios. 8-speed Chorus or Record were da bomb.

I bet they were closer than most folks realize or normally admit. (but = !! ?)!