Campagnolo veloce or shimano 105

Mickyg88

After all the advice I got on my last post, I've decided on a Ribble Sportiv, but now the headache is: do I go for campagnolo veloce or shimano 105, all advice will be much appreciated as I'm new to the road bike scene,
Thanks guys

noiseboyfeetman

Have you tried either of the groupsets out? If not get yourself down to your LBS and take a couple of bikes out for a test ride and see which you prefer. You'll get different answers on here from people that use each groupset, both are decent and you can't really go wrong with either, it all depends which shifting method you prefer and get on with better.

I'd personally say go for the Veloce, but then I run Campag on both my bikes so I would say that!

zoid

My experience is coming from a Ribble Winter trainer which had 2011 Veloce to a CAAD9 with 105, my personal observations are...

- Aesthetically Veloce wins hands down
- Changing up onto the big chain ring is much nicer with 105, but changing back down onto the small chain ring is nicer with Veloce
- In general 105 has a slightly more refined gear changes, but only slightly
- Greater availability of parts for 105 and generally cheaper, the major exception being the brake/gear levers which are more expensive with Shimano and can’t be rebuilt like Campag levers
- Campag levers fitted my small hands slightly better and I think I prefer the thumb shifters
- Braking power seems better with 105 although personally I find them a little too good

Best thing would be to sit on a couple of bikes to get a feel of the levers to see which fits your hands best, also bear in mind you won’t be able to swap wheels between Campag and Shimano bikes

On balance for me I think Campag just wins but I'd happily ride with either...

noiseboyfeetman

I know it's not what you asked for but have you read the review of the Ribble Sportive with Veloce that's here http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-ribble-sportive-racing-veloce-11-43812

Mickyg88

Thanks, just read the review and it appears its down to personal choice re the campag v shimano scenario, I will just have to try them both as advised, hope ribble have bikes with both on in their showroom,

nochekmate

Nothing really to choose between Veloce and 105 - see which you prefer the fit & function of if you can. Both are perfectly good groupsets that will serve you well for many years if you look after the components.

arlowood

Hi there

I rode for 14 years on my trusty Mercian with Campag Mirage ( same mehanics as Veloce in terms of shifting). Last year bought a Spesh with Shimano 105

My general impressions are that there is little to choose between the groupsets in terms of peformance. The only real areas that distinguish them are in the ergonomics of operation. The Campag shifters are smaller than the Shimano and are therefore more comfortable for those with smaller hands, particularly if you ride mostly on the hoods.

If you ride on the drops a lot then the Campag thumb shifter can be a bit awkward to operate if your hands are fairly small. I have quite big hands and often felt it was a stretch to reach the thumb shift when riding on the drops. With the Shimano there is no such problem as you can easily reach the change-up lever with one of your fingers when down on the drops.

So basically if you ride on the hoods mostly there is little to choose between the two. If you ride on the drops a lot then the Shimano 105 would be my choice.

Heffen

Sram 24/7

ilm_zero7

Campag - t.i.n.a.