Why are campag gruppos cheaper than shimano on some frames
sludd
Posts: 29
I've read the various threads about campag vs shimano.....personal choice, equally efficient, what riders are used to, louder/quieter, quicker/slower shifting, more/less trimming possible....
I'm looking at my first road bike so have no leanings either way and have nothing that I'm used to so either make would be fine as long as it works well enough.
I'm wondering why veloce/centaur is quite a bit cheaper than 105/ultegra on Bianchi, Ribble frames (and some others) and whether this is actually a reflection of quality or not in shimano's favour.
Any views - this might help me make the decision I have been putting off for weeks.
I'm looking at my first road bike so have no leanings either way and have nothing that I'm used to so either make would be fine as long as it works well enough.
I'm wondering why veloce/centaur is quite a bit cheaper than 105/ultegra on Bianchi, Ribble frames (and some others) and whether this is actually a reflection of quality or not in shimano's favour.
Any views - this might help me make the decision I have been putting off for weeks.
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The cost of most bits (mechs, cassettes etc) are comparable for both Shimano and Campagnolo, until you get to the brake/shift levers. Campagnolo Ergos are far, far less expensive than Shimano STIs. This doesn't mean they're worse quality though. STIs are complex beasts with something like 50 parts per lever IIRC. Ergos are essentially a ratchet and a couple of springs.
Both shift very well when set up. If the levers break (there was a batch of Tiagra left hand levers which kept breaking this year) then Campagnolo levers can be rebuilt just replacing the part, Shimano requires an entire new (expensive) lever.
Having said that, it comes down to personal preference. I hate the floppy brake levers on Shimano STIs, and love the hood shape on new Camapgnolo Ergos, so I ride Campagnolo.0 -
It's all down to exchange rates. Japanese products have increased in price because the Yen has shot up in value against the pound. For the previous decade Shimano was cheaper than Campag.
As for availability, Campag is just as readily available as Shimano. True, more LBS stock Shimano, but the odds are they won't have the bit you want in stock anyway and will take at least a week to get it. most online retailers have the full range of Campag and will get it to you next day or the day after, and a lot cheaper.0 -
You both said 'Campag'. Thankyou and well done! (take a look in Cake Stop)0
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Also, when the price hikes hit around 12 months ago Campag only put their prices up once, I'm led to believe that Shimano put theirs up TWICE :shock:
I can only guess that this explains why Japan's exports fell by over 50% in the same period
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Thanks everyone - so going for Veloce or Centaur (saving £100-200 on the same frame with Shimano) could be a good option for me - I know one of my LBS rides Campag himself so set up/maintenance shouldn't be too big a problem.0
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Surely another factor is how you compare Campag groupsets to Shimano?
Not me, but some say for example Centaur is = to 105. Others say it's = to Ultegra?
So (off Ribble tonight):
Centaur carbon £533.95
105 black £389.95
Ultegra SL £499.95
Is Campag really cheaper? Again the new Grand fondo with 105 black is £1056, with centaur £1089 with 6700 Ultegra £1199. So again is it really any cheaper? Doesn't Centaur for example sit somewhere between the two, and is priced accordingly?"I spend my petrol money on Bikes, Beer, Pizza, and Donuts "
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So use the internet? Seems pretty widely available to me.0
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Which is something worth pointing out to your LBS when they whine about losing trade to the internet.rake wrote:no campags not as widely available. i cant recall seeing any on the shelves in shops.0 -
General use of cheaper/inferior materials :shock:
Grabs coat, runs like fcuk out of forum.... Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!0 -
I've always understood that 'Campag wears in and Shimano wears out'.0
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Well, I ride 105/Ultegra, and will be riding Rival on the new bike, but really wish I had campy.
When mrs squill lets me spend some "proper" money on a bike, Chorus is top of the shopping list!0 -
105 = Veloce
Ultegra = Centaur
So with current exchange rates its a no brainer - Campag all the way. Unless, that is, you don't get on with Campag shifters or you already have Shimano / SRAM stuff (neither are fully compatible with Campag).0 -
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Getting back to the original point - I had been looking at the Bianchi C2C range where there's a £200 difference between Veloce and 105 (with the same frames) but it's only about £60 with the Ribble range (which i've pretty much decided on).
Given that I have no previous experience of either, I'm thinking Campag is the way to go - what do you guys think about the £80 difference between Veloce and Centaur on the Gran Fondo build?
Worth the extra, or will a beginner like me not notice the difference. If it's down to weight, I've got a fair bit to lose off the belly before the gruppo's weight becomes an issue.0 -
TBH I don't think you'll notice the difference. Can you afford the extra £80? Could you spend it more wisely on something else? I got the Sportive with Centaur carbon groupset in May. IMO a great groupset. It hasn't put foot wrong & looks the daddy. I would recommend it.sludd wrote:Getting back to the original point - I had been looking at the Bianchi C2C range where there's a £200 difference between Veloce and 105 (with the same frames) but it's only about £60 with the Ribble range (which i've pretty much decided on).
Given that I have no previous experience of either, I'm thinking Campag is the way to go - what do you guys think about the £80 difference between Veloce and Centaur on the Gran Fondo build?
Worth the extra, or will a beginner like me not notice the difference. If it's down to weight, I've got a fair bit to lose off the belly before the gruppo's weight becomes an issue."I spend my petrol money on Bikes, Beer, Pizza, and Donuts "
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My GF's bike had Veloce and I wasn't impressed. It wasn't anywhere near as good as 105 of a similar age. I'm sure they have improved over the last 3 years but if you've got your heart set on Campag then for an extra £80 I'd be very tempted to for Centaur.0
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Zedders:
I enjoyed looking at your pictures - the Racing Sportive looked georgous. I'm hoping mine will look very similar except I've spec'd a Selle Italia red saddle & Mavic Kysrium wheels.
That's if i ever get it! I ordered at the end of August but they ran out of frames & new consignment not expected until early December. I was offered the Gran Fondo frame but prefer the paint job on the Sportive.0 -
Excellent. She's hooked to the turbo in the garage, having being cleaned with baby wipes, and is not coming out untill the new yr!jayseedy wrote:Zedders:
I enjoyed looking at your pictures - the Racing Sportive looked georgous. I'm hoping mine will look very similar except I've spec'd a Selle Italia red saddle & Mavic Kysrium wheels.
That's if i ever get it! I ordered at the end of August but they ran out of frames & new consignment not expected until early December. I was offered the Gran Fondo frame but prefer the paint job on the Sportive.
The wait can be a pain, I had the same problem, and even posted a thread saying I was thinking of cancelling my order and going somewhere else. But at the end of the day I was glad I waited. Folk have to order stuff all the time, so why should buying a bike be any different I suppose.
Funny you should metion the red saddle. I wanted one but they didn' have one in stock, so ribble sent me a upgrade instead. I think a red saddle with look pretty cool.
PS: Glad you liked the pics."I spend my petrol money on Bikes, Beer, Pizza, and Donuts "
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Mister W wrote:My GF's bike had Veloce and I wasn't impressed. It wasn't anywhere near as good as 105 of a similar age. I'm sure they have improved over the last 3 years but if you've got your heart set on Campag then for an extra £80 I'd be very tempted to for Centaur.
I understood Centaur and Veloce were pretty similar ? Certainly from using it I don't think there is much of a noticeable difference.
That said I've used Veloce and was very impressed with it - in fact it was using Veloce that persuaded me to switch all my bikes from Shimano to Campag.
it's a hard life if you don't weaken.0 -
Ive used centaur and have just switched back to ultegra - in terms of performance I have to say shimano has it. If you prefer the look\feel of campag then thats personal choice, some people also want everything on their bike italian.0
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Personally I went from Shimano to Campag because I found Campag performed better - most notably once set up it stayed set up and was generally more reliable. I also found the brakes more powerful but I understand Shimano has improved in this area in recent years - and I do have a set of deep drop ultegra brakes on one bike that work well. I didn't choose campag because it was Italian, looks better or has more heritage - though obviously all those things are a bonus
it's a hard life if you don't weaken.0 -
What do you guys think of the athena 11?
Im ordering a ribble grand fondo in the new year and im torn between the ultegra build at 1200 quid and athena 11 at 1160.0 -
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I'd go with Athena, definitely better than the new Ultegra.[/quote]
I take it you have 2 bikes, one with Athena and one with the new Ultegra?0
