How difficult is it to set up Campag Athena??

ctc
ctc Posts: 232
edited November 2012 in Workshop
Hi All,

Whilst having enforced time at home due to SWMBO illness for the last few weeks, I've spent far too much time on t'internet making imaginary builds.

One thing. You can get quite a good deal on Athena, and I've always fancied trying out a Campag groupset.
However, some of the stuff I was reading made it sound like it was a pig to setup, and then took a fair amount of fettling after that.
Is this the experience of the forumites, or is it the usual you only get to see the small percentage of people who have had a bad time as they are the ones who can be bothered to write about it?

In terms of tools - 11 speed chain breaker (I'll probably use KMC anyway)
Torx drivers (think I've got a couple some where)?
Cassette tool (expensive)?
Bottom Bracket tool?
Anything else?

Thanks all

Comments

  • You need some new tools yes, other than that, it is not terribly difficult.

    One thing about Athena and it is my personal view... it is not a high end group set... it is worth Shimano 105. It is what Veloce used to be 10 years ago, in terms of where it stands in Campagnolo hierarchy.
    It is 11 speed, but all the rest is not different from the much cheaper Veloce. It looks good in silver and that's pretty much all one can say about Athena.
    If you want a quality Campagnolo group set, get Athena but get also an upgrade to Chorus shifters
    left the forum March 2023
  • Ber Nard
    Ber Nard Posts: 827
    I don't think Campag 11 speed is any more fiddly to set up than any other groupset. That said, I find installing Campag cables a bit of a pain in the arse.

    You shouldn't need to spend much on tools either. Any chain tool will break the chain fine; use a KMC Missing Link to rejoin. Note that 11 speed Missing Links are not reusable (don't know why).
    A lock ring tool is cheap if you buy one to be used with a wrench.
    Try and find an older model Ultra Torque chainset (as opposed to Power Torque) and the you can use the same tool for installing the BB cups you'd use for fitting any other external BB. You'll need a 10mm hex key as well.
    A good Torx T25 key is worth having. The adaptors you get with socket sets don't fit in the gaps terribly well.

    Rob
  • napoleond
    napoleond Posts: 5,992
    Cassette tool - any will do, shimano one works
    Chain tool - Lezyne, 18 quid from CRC
    Torx drivers - Aldi do a massive set of T Bar Allen/Torx keys for 11 quid
    BB Tool, less than a fiver.
    Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
    ABCC Cycling Coach
  • i have Athena 11 speed and i love it. super smooth and a pleasure to set up, i can only imagine how lovely chorus or record is. but for now im over the moon with my Athena.

    where do you ge the BB from for £5 Napoleon ????
    Specialized S Works SL2 . Campagnolo Record 11spd. rolling on Campag Zonda wheels

    http://app.strava.com/athletes/881211
  • napoleond
    napoleond Posts: 5,992
    i have Athena 11 speed and i love it. super smooth and a pleasure to set up, i can only imagine how lovely chorus or record is. but for now im over the moon with my Athena.

    where do you ge the BB from for £5 Napoleon ????

    Just fitted SR on my best bike. It's AMAZING!
    Ordered my new winter bike with Athena yesterday too...

    Hmmm theyve gone up a bit... Bb tool- http://bit.ly/U3FVnP
    Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
    ABCC Cycling Coach
  • thats great just ordered one..

    does anyone know a good place to get a suitable press from
    for removing the Athena Chainset.????
    i want to replace the bearings in mine.
    Specialized S Works SL2 . Campagnolo Record 11spd. rolling on Campag Zonda wheels

    http://app.strava.com/athletes/881211