Campag groupset choice - 10 or 11 ?

galatzo
galatzo Posts: 1,295
edited July 2009 in Road buying advice
Hi All

Currently running Chorus 10 speed on my bike and building another lightweight and wondering whether to go with Record 10 speed group or Chorus 11 speed.
Do you think I'd be better off sticking to 10 speed or is the new 11 speed Chorus as good as Cycling Plus say ?
I think I prefer the look of the 10 speed ergo levers and have been very happy with Chorus 10 but you have to move with the times and Campag aren't gonna go back to 10 speed are they ? !
Can't afford to make both bikes 11 speed but I don't want to have upgrade both to 11 or 12 ! in a few years.
What do you think ?

Thanks
25th August 2013 12hrs 37mins 52.3 seconds 238km 5500mtrs FYRM Never again.

Comments

  • Wooliferkins
    Wooliferkins Posts: 2,060
    The 10 speed allows you more variety of cassette/chainring options. There are only the two chainring options 53/39 and 50/34 and 4 different cassettes in 11 speed. I love the feel of the 11spd levers but horses for courses. My personal feeling is that R&D will focus on electronic shifting with wireless the target for a few years.
    Neil
    Help I'm Being Oppressed
  • joewhitebaby
    joewhitebaby Posts: 28
    I'm having Record 11 on my new bike in a week or two (YAY! :D ), and I think the levers are a dramatic improvement on the old ones. The general concensus is that Chorus 11 is equivalent if not better than Record 10. The 11 speed will give you a benefit of less jump between gears, or have a bigger one at the top for climbing on.
    11 Speed is the way forward and SRAM is rumoured to be moving the same way in the future. It's clear 10 speed will be phased out slowly but surely as the new Athena 11 group which sits one below Chorus 11, is bringing 11 speeds for a cheaper price.
    If you do manage to find an old Record 10 groupset, you may find yourself lacking in parts availability in the future, particularly with it being Record as only the lower groups now run on 10 speed
  • teagar
    teagar Posts: 2,100
    Run 11 for the obvious spinal tap jokes, so that you can can irritate your opponents into defeat.
    Note: the above post is an opinion and not fact. It might be a lie.
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Hey it's evolution man and it's Campagnolo so it's gonna be good.

    I run Record 10 but soon SR 11 and can't wait. It's all good ...
  • Kingtut87
    Kingtut87 Posts: 105
    I'm looking at getting the Athena 11 speed groupset, is this compatible with the Easton EA50 SL wheels? I know its got a Campag free hub, but dont know if its different from the 11 speeds?
  • whyamihere
    whyamihere Posts: 7,719
    Kingtut87 wrote:
    I'm looking at getting the Athena 11 speed groupset, is this compatible with the Easton EA50 SL wheels? I know its got a Campag free hub, but dont know if its different from the 11 speeds?
    Yes.

    I'll be going 11 speed as soon as there's a chain with a split link available.
  • APIII
    APIII Posts: 2,010
    joewhitebaby wrote:
    If you do manage to find an old Record 10 groupset, you may find yourself lacking in parts availability in the future, particularly with it being Record as only the lower groups now run on 10 speed

    I think you'll be alright for a few years yet!
  • James_London
    James_London Posts: 530
    Chorus 11 and put Centaur 2009 levers (10-speed but new shape) on the old bike. I found running bikes with old and new lever shapes irritating...

    As has been said, it will depend on your hands, but I find the 2009 lever ergonomics much better as they allow an additional position on the hoods that's not really safe with the old Campagnolo ergos.
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    Which one do YOU WANT?
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    James_London wrote:
    Chorus 11 and put Centaur 2009 levers (10-speed but new shape) on the old bike. I found running bikes with old and new lever shapes irritating...

    As has been said, it will depend on your hands, but I find the 2009 lever ergonomics much better as they allow an additional position on the hoods that's not really safe with the old Campagnolo ergos.

    I don't know why but every time I read something like this my mind just starts to scream.
    HOW DIFFICULT CAN IT POSSIBLY BE TO HAVE TO MOVE YOUR FINGER (OR THUMB)
    A HALF INCH TO SHIFT YOUR BIKE. IS THIS REALLY ALL THAT HARD THAT YOU FEEL THE NEED TO WRITE IN AND EXPOUND UPON IT. FOR GODS SAKE IT'S A HALF INCH.
    HOW MUCH OF A PROBLEM CAN THIS CAUSE YOU.
    RANT OVER, BUT STILL I'M AMAZED THAT ANYONE HAS "PROBLEMS" LIKE THIS.
  • James_London
    James_London Posts: 530
    Hi, Dennis... Lovely to hear from you as ever!

    I don't quite understand what got your goat - I didn't mention shifting or half an inch! With 11-speed you can rest your forearms on the tops of the bar bends, heel of your hands on the hoods and fingers gripping the knobs on the hoods. It's a perilous position with 10-speed Ergos.
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    James_London wrote:
    Hi, Dennis... Lovely to hear from you as ever!

    I don't quite understand what got your goat - I didn't mention shifting or half an inch! With 11-speed you can rest your forearms on the tops of the bar bends, heel of your hands on the hoods and fingers gripping the knobs on the hoods. It's a perilous position with 10-speed Ergos.

    Just telling you what my brain always asks when this subject comes up. How much trouble can these things be? :roll: :roll: Ergonomics my *ss. This new stuff is no more comfortable than bars, grips, tape, and brake levers from the 60's. The shifting however
    couldn't be better.
  • James_London
    James_London Posts: 530
    It's less about trouble and more that you are comfortable and 1-1.5km/h faster at the same power output in the lower position.

    I wasn't around in the 60s so can't comment ;-)
  • nicensleazy
    nicensleazy Posts: 2,310
    Personally, I would go for 11......easier for parts etc and its the future!
  • Smokin Joe
    Smokin Joe Posts: 2,706
    I'll have to go with Dennis here. There is some right old bollox coming from the marketing departments these days. I've never had a gearshift/brake lever that I couldn't hold onto all day long.
  • bigmat
    bigmat Posts: 5,134
    My hands used to ache a bit after 60/70 miles with the old shape Campag levers, the new ones are a lot more comfortable and also offer far surer braking when on the hoods - a big step forward in my opinion.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/41991871@N ... otostream/
  • BigDarbs
    BigDarbs Posts: 132
    Record 10 speed is lighter than Record 11.... that must be enough to sell it!! Not sure if that is the same for Chorus.

    There is about 100 grammes difference in the Record groups. The 11 speed rear cassette is heavier (obvioulsy), as is the chainset and front rings, the shifters, the rear mech and the front mech.

    Brakes are the same and the chain is lighter.

    I only know this because I am planning my next bike build and was going to go the Record 10 route because it is 100 grammes lighter (and I am building a very light bike) plus it is slighty cheaper, especially if you pick bits up individually from shops clearing stock.
  • GaryW1960
    GaryW1960 Posts: 22
    Go for what ever feels right. The weight factor is basically for your top riders. For the average person maybe carrying a bit of lard the 100 grams is like going for a number 2 before a ride. Look at Wiggins he went faster by losing weight off his body, not the bike. Enjoy what ever you buy its all good equipment!

    Gary ( still has the 1970s' gear and its not as comfortable as he modern day equipment)
    Still Rolling Along

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