Athena Vs Chorus - What are the main differences?

bmxboy10

I have an Athena GS waiting to go on to my new bike and I am fairly happy with this choice (paid £395 so a good got a good deal which is always important to me). The main concern I have is I didn't realise when I bought it that the chain set fitting and removal was such a faff. Anyway im sure I can get round this when the times comes to replace the BB etc but I may need a bearing puller which is more expense - I know this has been covered before!

Anyway, I started looking at the Potenza GS but if I were going for that I would probably want silver and as a GS package you cant buy it anywhere on line for some reason (only available is individual components excluding Race View Cycles).

Then I started looking at Chorus. This GS was originally out of my budget but if a juggle a few things I may be able to buy it now. So my question is what are the benefits? I know Chorus is carbon but are there any functional or performance differences worth noting? For example does the Chorus have quicker shifting/multi shifting and is so what is this?

Sorry guys only ever used Shimano!

shortfall

Chorus can do the multiple upshifts and downshifts with one click which I don't think Athena can. I wouldn't buy it based on that though. Chorus basically does everything that Record and SR does for a fraction of the cost and without the ridiculously expensive titanium cassettes that wear out quicker than the steel Chorus version which cost less than half as much. I once owned the Ultratorque Athena which was great (and uses the Chorus cassette) but the Powertorque version is an absolute POS to service or so I'm told. Google it to see the issues some people have, including having to saw the axle to get it out of the BB! Finally, Campag shifting feels very different to Shimano. If you're not used to it it can even feel agricultural after silky smooth Shimano but give it some time and you grow to appreciate the satisfyingly positive thunk on each press of the thumb button that feels incredible tactile and rewarding.

bmxboy10

Shortfall wrote:

Chorus can do the multiple upshifts and downshifts with one click which I don't think Athena can. I wouldn't buy it based on that though. Chorus basically does everything that Record and SR does for a fraction of the cost and without the ridiculously expensive titanium cassettes that wear out quicker than the steel Chorus version which cost less than half as much. I once owned the Ultratorque Athena which was great (and uses the Chorus cassette) but the Powertorque version is an absolute POS to service or so I'm told. Google it to see the issues some people have, including having to saw the axle to get it out of the BB! Finally, Campag shifting feels very different to Shimano. If you're not used to it it can even feel agricultural after silky smooth Shimano but give it some time and you grow to appreciate the satisfyingly positive thunk on each press of the thumb button that feels incredible tactile and rewarding.

So Chorus uses Ultra Torque rather than Power Torque? This means the axle is joined in the middle?
Potenza uses Power Torque but has updated chain set meaning you can easily remove the chain set?

Am I right?

shortfall

Chorus is Ultratorque yes. Potenza as far as I know uses an improved version of the Powertorque thing with a self extracting crank, but as ever with Campag you'll need some proprietary tools.

Beatmaker

I've Chorus on my Cannondale and used to have Athena. The Chorus is a significant upgrade on Athena. Potenza in basically Chorus with no carbon, so you would have the performance advantages of Chorus but for a lesser price.

gethinceri

Shortfall wrote:

as ever with Campag you'll need some proprietary tools.

A big sump plug socket is all you'll ned to remove and replace a Potenza crank, about 3 quid.
I have Athena on a bike, it's great apart from the crank which was replaced under warranty with a Potenza one via Velotech whom I recommend for advice on all things Campag

the_cyclist_of_catan

I specced Athena on a bike. Wish I'd gone for Chorus. Two reasons. Firstly the bearings/crank. I get through a se t of bearings every 5k, but with the Athena PT crank, it's off to a bike shop to get the bearings replaced. Secondly the Chorus multiple up shifts are great (plus the Chorus shifters are better built). I switched to Chorus levers following some hefty crash damage which trashed the levers (and replacement brake levers were almost as expensive as the whole shifter); it was well worth the extra expense. The next bike I have built will also have Chorus.

bmxboy10

Cheers guys having done a fair bit of research I have ordered a Chorus Groupset and will likely return the Athena. That issue with the chainset removal would always bug me especially as I must have a perfect running BB on my bikes. Also Chorus gets rave reviews where ever you look.

cycleclinic

Power torque BB's are very reliable. out of all the external BB systems out there Power torque give more miles than say ultegra BB's. UIltra torque BB's dont always give the same sort of mileage not sure why unless you have the cult bearings which last forever.

Having a number of campagnolo drivetrains Veloce 10 speed, atenena 11 speed, record 10 speed, record 11 speed, super record 11 speed and Record EPS 11 speed and soon potenza 11 speed disc brake I can say they all work very well and while the shifters do feel different to operate I actually find the little difference in how they perform.

mamil314

Doesn't power torque system come with dual sealing, that could account for extra durability