campagnolo athena 11 speed

chrisbonnie
chrisbonnie Posts: 55
edited May 2010 in Road buying advice
anybody have this groupset?

im looking at getting a ribble bike with this groupset instead of ultegra,

the only thing is i havent actually seen athena in the flesh, and with it being fairly new, there's not an awful lot of info around about it

any replies would be greatly appreciated lads

Comments

  • Alumin-Liam
    Alumin-Liam Posts: 75
    There was a big review in CW a few months back. They sang its praises as I recall.

    Looks quite old school with lots of shiny metal! Gorgeous! I'd love it myself but have to wait till the bank manager allows...
    Summer - Colnago C40
    Race - Wilier Alpe D'Huez
    Winter/Commuter - Specialized Tricross
  • hugo15
    hugo15 Posts: 1,101
    The Athena groupset looks beautiful in the flesh. Was in my LBS a few weeks ago and they had a Bianchi in with the Athena groupo on.

    I was toying with getting Athena but opted for Chorus instead. When I asked the question on here the advice was to stretch to Chorus if I could. I picked it last weekend so only had one ride on it so far. First impressions are very good though.
  • reba6768
    reba6768 Posts: 1,030
    Have used it and it was ok, though went back to a Sram set up recently.

    Reason for this was it tended to jump gears at the rear when stomping out of the saddle on steep'ish hills and I started to find it really annoying - gears were all set up great and were fine on the flat - quiet and never missed a shift.
    It was fitted to a Ti frame so maybe the little flex in the frame didn't help!
    Maybe I would have found it better on a stiffer carbon frame??
  • davelakers
    davelakers Posts: 762
    Ive got Athena and love it to bits. I was riding 105 and the difference is amazing, positive shifting and that reassuring noise as it clicks into gear. I got the carbon look chainset and Im 100% happy with looks and performance.

    I was going to get Chorus11 but the shop recommended that I wouldnt really appreciate the difference between Athena and Chorus for the extra £170. I spent more on wheels instead.
  • Lillywhite
    Lillywhite Posts: 742
    chrisbonnie wrote:
    anybody have this groupset?

    Yeah, brought the carbon version for the new bike frame that I built up in the winter after reading the good review in Cycling Weekly and getting it at a good price from Merlin Cycles.

    Looking to try it out when I start riding the new bike later this week. :wink:
  • chrisbonnie
    chrisbonnie Posts: 55
    davelakers wrote:
    Ive got Athena and love it to bits. I was riding 105 and the difference is amazing, positive shifting and that reassuring noise as it clicks into gear. I got the carbon look chainset and Im 100% happy with looks and performance.

    I was going to get Chorus11 but the shop recommended that I wouldnt really appreciate the difference between Athena and Chorus for the extra £170. I spent more on wheels instead.

    id love the carbon chainset as well, but money dictates ,so it'll be the aluminum one for me.

    does anyone know if its compatible with the rotor cranks?
  • Team Banana Spokesman
    Team Banana Spokesman Posts: 538
    i'm considering this... :twisted:

    anyone know the best price for it atm?
  • Lillywhite
    Lillywhite Posts: 742
    Team Banana Spokesman wrote:

    anyone know the best price for it atm?

    £599.95 at Merlin Cycles.

    http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/campagnol ... upset.html
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Shiny bikes have it for £531:

    http://www.shinybikes.com/bikes/campagn ... oupset.htm

    Anyone bought anything from Shiny Bikes and are they ok?
  • domhnall_dearg
    domhnall_dearg Posts: 401
    I've used Shiny Bikes in the past with no problems.
    Who you gonna believe? Me or your own eyes?
  • Lillywhite
    Lillywhite Posts: 742
    giant mancp wrote:
    Shiny bikes have it for £531:

    That's for the alloy version.

    The carbon version is £616.51 which is more expensive than Merlin Cycles. :wink:
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Ahh well spotted. and there was me thinking they should both be the same price :oops: I think they call that wishful thinking!
  • Lillywhite
    Lillywhite Posts: 742
    giant mancp wrote:
    Ahh well spotted.

    Shiny Bikes also charge £8 delivery on Groupsets. whereas at Merlin Cycles, postage is free. :wink:
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Except that they never seem to have the right combination of Chorus in stock, has been like that for ages now!

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