Campag

dboden
dboden Posts: 349
edited July 2009 in Road buying advice
Hi, I am only used to the shimano gears etc.

Can anybody tell me what is "Campag Centaur" group the equivalent of in Shimano.

Thanks

Comments

  • flasher
    flasher Posts: 1,734
    Ultegra
  • STEFANOS4784
    STEFANOS4784 Posts: 4,109
    But Ultegra doesn't have a thumb lever...... :wink:

    (P.s i'm just being a n0b)
  • STEFANOS4784
    STEFANOS4784 Posts: 4,109
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groupset

    You might find that more useful than my stupid comments........
  • dboden
    dboden Posts: 349
    hmmmmm.... only I am swapping my bike... I currently have 105s and don't want to go backwards, or be disapointed.....
    Comments please
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    Anythings an upgrade over shimano
    I like bikes...

    Twitter
    Flickr
  • dboden
    dboden Posts: 349
    Seriously now boys..... can I consider this an upgrade????
    :?
  • will3
    will3 Posts: 2,173
    I doubt it will make you go any faster
  • dboden
    dboden Posts: 349
    This is like pulling teeth!
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    veloce ~ 105
    Centaur ~ Ultegra
    I like bikes...

    Twitter
    Flickr
  • tenor
    tenor Posts: 278
    If you would consider Ultegra an upgrade over 105, then Centaur is also an upgrade over 105.
    Such an upgrade will not make you any faster, as has been said, and will probably be no more durable, but will be a little nicer to look at and use.
    Very hard to beet 105 / Veloce level equipment for funcional performance, but Centaur provides a little more sparkle, which is good for the soul.
    Go ahead and upgrade your soul.
  • STEFANOS4784
    STEFANOS4784 Posts: 4,109
    I've never had a go on Campag stuff so can't comment but have read on here that Campag may suit smaller hands :?
  • Takis61
    Takis61 Posts: 239
    Guess the other thing to point out is subtle differences - Shimano works with all the changes on the levers - but I like the thumb shifters on Campag.
    Centaur also allows you to change several gears with one large sweep.
    I also have small hands, not tried 105 or Ultegra but I did upgrade from Sora to Centaur & yes, the hoods do suit my small hands.
    My knees hurt !
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    See if you can try before you buy. I swapped from ultegra to centaur - and hated it. its a more clunky feel , and riding on the brake hoods isn't at comfortable. That said Ive had it 8 years without any problems or wear on any parts.

    I tend to think you like what you ride first, as I say I ride centaur at the mo - but my next bike will 105 - I think it suits me better.
  • pianoman
    pianoman Posts: 706
    I think part of the problem for many people is that there are very few entry-level bikes out there available off the peg with Campag groupsets, because Xenon (the one that is equal to Dura-Ace :D ) and Mirage are no more, so the Veloce groupset (currently over £500 at RJ Chicken's) is the cheapest option. I must say, it makes me laugh the way I got the Veloce for less than £300 back in December for the Van Nicholas :lol:

    I think Bianchi offer an entry level bike with the Xenon, around £750 last time I checked. So for those who are wanting to spend under that amount, there really isn't a lot of choice :x

    Some people will never know what they are missing :P
  • STEFANOS4784
    STEFANOS4784 Posts: 4,109
    I am currently saving to buy a Bianchi Nirone alu to replace my cannondale. Like this one;


    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bia ... gn=froogle

    Will buy second hand but if you haven't bought by then i'll let you know..............
  • pianoman
    pianoman Posts: 706
    We've got someone who's just joined our club who wants to get into road riding, and I think their husband has got a bit more cash to get her started than most beginners do.

    If she's at the clubroom on Monday night I will try and sell her on the virtues of the Bianchi entry level bike (this one: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bia ... e-ec016953)

    It even comes with pedals :D
  • bianchi777
    bianchi777 Posts: 101
    My Nirone has a mix of Veloce and Mirage componentry. Runs like a dream!
  • pianoman
    pianoman Posts: 706
    That'll be because of the Campag and other Italian tradition won't it :D
  • bianchi777
    bianchi777 Posts: 101
    They sure can work some magic over in Treviglio...if it was welded there...which despite the "handmade in Italy" sticker I'm not too sure about...;) Not that it matters!
  • dboden
    dboden Posts: 349
    Ok, thanks for all the comments, I have just had my 1st ride with them at the week end, I think it may take a little getting used to, but liked how you can sweep through the gears on campag, I think I need to have a little fiddle to attempt to index them a little.

    Also unless I,m missing something there is no release lever on the brakes with the campag to make dropping the wheels easy, unlike with the shimano??? How do you all get on with this??
  • will3
    will3 Posts: 2,173
    dboden wrote:

    Also unless I,m missing something there is no release lever on the brakes with the campag to make dropping the wheels easy, unlike with the shimano??? How do you all get on with this??
    Haven't seen new style levers,but on the old one there was a little silver button at the top of the brake lever that you slid accross to let the brakes out a little.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    I suspect the release thing is at the lever end of the cable rather than on the brakes, and resets itself when braking if you've forgotten to do it (unlike the shimano cam thing).

    waiting for confirmation from a Campag user
  • daviesee
    daviesee Posts: 6,386
    will3 wrote:
    dboden wrote:

    Also unless I,m missing something there is no release lever on the brakes with the campag to make dropping the wheels easy, unlike with the shimano??? How do you all get on with this??
    Haven't seen new style levers,but on the old one there was a little silver button at the top of the brake lever that you slid accross to let the brakes out a little.

    Correct.

    There is a little pin that the brake lever stops against.
    Simply pull the brakes and push the pin. It holds the brakes open.
    Reverse to get back to normal. Simples :wink:
    None of the above should be taken seriously, and certainly not personally.
  • will3
    will3 Posts: 2,173
    keef66 wrote:
    brakes, and resets itself when braking if you've forgotten to do it (unlike the shimano cam thing).

    Not that I've noticed, but that's a neat idea.
  • pickled
    pickled Posts: 439
    I am currently saving to buy a Bianchi Nirone alu to replace my cannondale. Like this one;


    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bia ... gn=froogle


    I just bought that exact bike. I love it. Italian bike + Campag is a must.
    Keep saving it will be worth it.
    (although having said that I put half on interest free....) :D