Groupset equivalence: Does Centaur = Shimano105?

Sparklehorse

I know there is a degree of subjectivity to this, but I wondered if someone could clarify the rough equivalence between the groupsets. I'm looking at a new bike and need a way of telling if one groupset matches another. E.g. is Campag Centaur roughly of the same standard as Shimano 105?

mattbass789

whilst this threads getting started, i was going to ask where does Sram rival fall in the other two main competitors product line ups, as far as quality and performance go?

Headhuunter

I thought it was something like this...
sora = xenon
tiagra = mirage
105 = veloce
ultegra = centaur
dura ace = chorus

record is the top of the top of the top.

Oddjob62

Headhuunter wrote:

record is the top of the top of the top.

Unless it comes up against a super record

scherrit

Hmmm,
I think headhuunter has them compared on price, I think all of the top groupsets work about the same performance-wise, and you should choose based on , oh, colour....

(braces for flames)
Cheers,
S.

majormantra

mattbass789 wrote:

whilst this threads getting started, i was going to ask where does Sram rival fall in the other two main competitors product line ups, as far as quality and performance go?

Depends who you ask but Rival is lighter than Ultegra (and Ultegra SL I believe though that may depend on exactly which components you select) and many would say of similar quality.

Centaur is also lighter than Ultegra and IMO cooler looking. I haven't used current Ultegra (only 9 speed) but I confidently say that Centaur is pretty good and it looks very nice on my Ribble.

Matthew

Takis61

Ditto that, I have Centaur on my Ribble, not had the pleasure of using equivalent Shimano, but headhunter's post echoes what I've seen elsewhere.
General posts are that 105 & Veloce up are all pretty high-tech, it then comes down to feel & preference.
Not everyone likes Campy thumblevers, while SRAM double push seems an excellent system