Carbon Centaur 10 speed or Athena 11 speed

sashmo

Its time for an upgrade and the prices of carbon Centaur 10 speed and Athena 11 speed groupsets seem to be about the same.

I am trying to decide between the two. I suspect that there isn't much in it, but rumour has it that the 11 speed is more difficult to keep set up.

Does anyone who has used these groupsets have any views on which is better, or on their strengths and weaknesses?

Thanks

what brakes

I have 10sp Centaur and 11sp Chorus

i prefer the 11sp on just about every aspect! more choice of gears so your gear changes are smoother as theres less difference between each cog, because you have more gears its easier to find a gear you comfortable in.

I also find that the 11sp have much less front der rub aswell!!!!!

all in all i would have 11sp over any 10sp. but its a personal preferance!

giant_man

I dont think they're the same quality wise. The Athena groupset is lighter (the alloy version being particularly suitable for retro builds) and possibly the lowest 'higher standard' Campag groupset, under Chorus. I would go for Athena over Centaur personally.

calvjones

I've had no trouble keeping Athena set up, but I think if it was for an all year commuter I'd stay 10 speed (for reasons of cost & convenience - e.g. chain splitting) but for a best racer, alloy Athena (with the alloy levers of course) is the dogs..

bigmat

Centaur seems to have been gradually downgraded the last couple of years. I reckon Centaur 09 is equivalent standard / slightly better than Athena, Centaur 10 maybe slightly less good and Centaur 11 clearly less good. Centaur now seems to be where Veloce used to be, with Veloce now taking the place of Mirage - more or less. I could be wrong though!

rolf_f

Centaur and below seem to have been heavily uglified this year - to the extent I'd rather have Mirage

As it happens, I suspect there is no difference in quality between previous years Centaur and Athena as there is no identifiable difference in specification in the catalogue. There are sometimes tiny weight differences but I tend to think that if Campag can't manage to list any tech difference between two products in their own catalogue, then probably there isn't any difference.

Kingtut87

Had Athena on my bike for the last year and I love it. The 11 speeds groupsets are very close in terms of performance, weight is the biggest differentiator. I think Athena quite a step up from the old 10 speed groupsets. Plus it looks stunning

sashmo

Thanks for all your replies. Definitely leaning towards Athena, especially because of the PlanetX deal.

Calvjones - you mentioned that there is a problem splitting 11 speed chains. Is there no quicklink available for 11 speed chains?

bigmat

Kingtut87 wrote:

I think Athena quite a step up from the old 10 speed groupsets.

Other than having an extra sprocket, in what way? I'm genuinely curious.

Kingtut87

New hood shapes are much comfier, new technology allows faster, smoother shifting, slightly lighter too maybe? Everything about it just feels better. I'd say its better than 10 speed Chorus as well as Centaur...

rozzer32

Or you could just get SRAM and know you have made the best choice

rolf_f

Kingtut87 wrote:

New hood shapes are much comfier, new technology allows faster, smoother shifting, slightly lighter too maybe? Everything about it just feels better. I'd say its better than 10 speed Chorus as well as Centaur...

New hood shapes were available on all groupsets last year. Like I say, if Campag don't know what the difference between Athena and Centaur components are then I doubt anyone else does

In some cases I am sceptical about the weight differences as they can be barely more than a gram or two per component - too little to be accurately measurable at home. Obviously the Athena/Chorus badge is blingier than Centaur though!

Maybe some useful difference in the rear mechs though. Doubt anyone can tell diff between levers/brakes, front mech etc.

rozzer32 wrote:

Or you could just get SRAM and know you have made the best choice

Go away - this is a serious discussion

rozzer32

It's alright rolf someone will soon pitch up with shimano and then we will have the good old what's best .

mwahhahahaha

what brakes

for the 11 sp campag chain you need the special tool. very expensive although some people say you can use cheaper tools etc.

However other manufacturers are now bring out 11sp chains with quick links etc so give it another month or so and you will be able to get a kmc chain with quick links from kmc. by that time your campag 11 sp will still be running well.

bigmat

Centaur 2010 levers are new shape and have carbon levers, rather than carbon wrapped, so are a superior product to Athena. The Centaur 09 / 10 rear mech has a carbon face plate - arguably superior to Athena? Brakes / front mech seem practically identical. Centaur 09 cassette same level (although one less sprocket) - 2010 onwards they are basically Veloce 09 quality. Chainsets look the same (although Centaur downgraded for 2011). I think the only real benefit of Athena is the extra sprocket - might be worth it though, I haven't ridden 11 speed yet so can't say.

Kingtut87

The Centaur rear mech is actaully heavier than the Athena mech, despite its lack of carbon. I suspect the same follows for the rest of the groupset - although i cant be arsed checking. The 11 speed groupsets were all built using the same new technology, I dont know how much of this has gotten into the 10 speed groups. Athena really does work very very well.

Monty Dog

For the OP, most of the problems folks experience with 11 speed is down to not installing it correctly and particularly getting the cables right - by all accounts, if done correctly, it needs very little fettling. There is a 11-speed KMC link available which obviates the need for the fancy chain tool.

Dodger747

Athena. End of.

rozzer32

Dodger747 wrote:

Athena. End of.

I think you meant to say sram force there. Easy mistake to make though 8)

rjeffroy

Anyone actually seen a KMC 11 speed chain on sale and available (as opposed to 'out of stock') yet? They seem to have been imminently available for over a year now.

what brakes

yep! i nearly bought one but the campag ones are cheaper and you can get the kmc missing links to fit!

Wheelie Bin

Athena... if for no other reason than the chainset. A work of art.