Campy or Shimano?

Ben.Cycle

I already know that for road, SRAM is out of the question but what of the other two? I was thinking about going campy but skipping the overpriced crankset and odd BB for either FSA or something of the like. What do you guys think?

Wooliferkins

Campag every time. My first bikes were Shimano fitted and XTR hubs aside I wouldn't give them house room now. Chains made by KMC to a lower spec than KMCs' own and plasticine chainrings and cassettes. Ridiculously fussy front mechs and str shifters that have no replaceable spares and cost the earth. All three of my Campag groupsets cost lest than the shimano equivalent.

Al_38

Why is Sram out of the question? They make road groupsets.

It makes very little difference in all honesty as to which manufacturer you choose, they all work well. In terms of shifting feel, campag is meant to be the most direct and snappy, shimano the smoothest and sram in the middle.

The only real point is which set of shifters you like the most, they have different mechanisms and some might be more intuitive than others. They also have different shapes and so one might be comfier than the rest.

I quite like the campag cranksets, i think the design is really neat. While they can be expensive, as the bearings come with the crank arms, the bb shells are really cheap so it might not be as much over other manufacturers. but does your crankset manufacturer matter? nope.

chriskempton

Wooliferkins wrote:

Campag every time. My first bikes were Shimano fitted and XTR hubs aside I wouldn't give them house room now. Chains made by KMC to a lower spec than KMCs' own and plasticine chainrings and cassettes. Ridiculously fussy front mechs and str shifters that have no replaceable spares and cost the earth. All three of my Campag groupsets cost lest than the shimano equivalent.

I have Shimano equipped bikes and none of the above tallies with my experience at all. How about: "chains that are okay, chainrings and cassettes that I've owned for 3 years and am still using fine. Front mechs and shifters that I've never had to touch and for which I've never spent a penny on spares. Cheaper than Campag equivalent and that's why I chose them".

I'm not a particular advocate either way though, I'm sure Campag stuff is great (I used their stuff through late 80s and 90s and loved it). I'd also probably give new SRAM Force a go if I was buying a groupset now.

Have a look at the options in your price bracket and pick what you like, as Al_38 says there's very little in it in terms of function.

Wooliferkins

SRAM takes the best of Campag and Shimano, but is ruddy expensive and still a new boy on the block. Proved by the pro's but still new to the mere mortals

mfin

I dont think Sram groupsets are very expensive on the street (the internet street anyhow), some starting at £350 for the lot here http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/campagnol ... groupsets/ ...I recently got a set of Red levers for £280 delivered and that comes with a set of Gore cables too, thats not too bad for their highest up gear?

daviesee

Whichever you prefer.

They all work. SRAM included.

Escargot

I'd say try them all if you can.

I really wanted Campag before I bought my bike and when I test rode a bike found the rear mech to work like a dream. Silky smooth and very quiet. However, I couldn't get on with the hoods/brake/gear levers at all. For me they just had no tactility so ruined the experience.

It's a really personal thing I'm sure but found the Ultegra levers superb by comparison. They fit my hands like a glove and the feel is a million miles away from the Campag shifters. However I don't think the mech has the same fluidity and whilst not bad by any means is not quite up there IMHO.

Can't really comment on the chainwheel as I've got a Team Issue FSA.

As for the brakes the SL brakes are amazing. 25 to 0 in almost no time at all and loads of feel.

So I guess I'm a Shimano man but if Campag would sort out their hoods I think I'd have moved over.

redddraggon

Shimano make the best chainsets (well DA chainsets anyway). And at the moment I'd go for SRAM over Campag for the rest of the bits ATM.

I'm just not convinced by 11spd just yet.....

DVV

I think possibly the answer to Campy/Shimano/SRAM might also depend on you budget.

Harry182

Definately depends on budget but value for money, Sram Rival 2009 seems a good bet. You can find it for £450 online.

http://www.testrider.com/fly.aspx?layou ... &video=107

DVV

I have Rival gears on my Road bike, and I like it. BikeRadar like it too - I think the feeling was that it is close to Ultegra in quality/weight and 105 in price:

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... l-09-33871

Shifting feels very natural once you get used to it.

Harry182

DVV wrote:

I have Rival gears on my Road bike, and I like it. BikeRadar like it too - I think the feeling was that it is close to Ultegra in quality/weight and 105 in price:

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... l-09-33871

Shifting feels very natural once you get used to it.

+1

I am very pleased with the Sram Force I have on my road bike and will be getting Rival for the bike I'm building up for Mrs H.

Rival's lighter than Ultegra, reputedly shifts as well as Dura Ace and Super Record and is only about £50 more than 105. Assuming you have the £450 budget - Rival. Why wouldn't you?

hopper1

Harry182 wrote:

Definately depends on budget but value for money, Sram Rival 2009 seems a good bet. You can find it for £450 online.

http://www.testrider.com/fly.aspx?layou ... &video=107

Errr... £349.99 at Merlin Cycles :shock:

I've had Shimano on all my previous bikes, road and mountain, but, my new Cinelli is being built up with SRAM Force!
I did test ride a model with Campag, but couldn't get on with the down shift lever, could only use it when on the hoods, otherwise I too may have gone over to Campag... :roll: