noodle soup

Apples vs Oranges

Campag4life

Therein lies a philosophical argument in fact. To me, my opinion, the single biggest challenge to Campy's foothold as ultimate groupset manufacturer is Shimano's Di2. Yes, Campy makes electric shifting as well. Point being, an argument can be made...or rather, I will make it. that Ultegra Di2 is more desirable than any mechanical Record or SR groupset from Campy. Not everybody will agree. Forget 12s for a moment which some believe almost to be irrelevant and simply suck more money from the consumer. When going $2K into a consumer's pocket and making a choice, say I had to make this choice today, I may give the nod to Ultegra Di2 over Campy anything for its cost/benefit. That from a mechanical Campy rider. And will say further, I spent a summer ago on DA mechanical and that confirmed to me that Campy is still king of mechanical groupsets. But electric shifting changes the landscape. My next groupset may well be Ultegra Di2 versus Campy mechanical. I likely won't spring for pricey Campy EPS...but economics are such that Ultegra Di2 makes a lot of sense if looking for great groupset performance per dollar.
My thoughts.

Sy Reene

noodle soup

Same frameset, and tires. Everything else is different.

Sy Reene

Of course.. the question comes down to how many thousands you want to pay for bragging rights.

Fox Farm

I do as well but depending on the terrain in which you live or ride often, a 12-25 or 11-25 does not cut it. I have a lot of 12% and greater grade and even with a compact crankset, I need more low gearing than a 25 provides. For that reason, I ride an 11-27, 11-29 and 12-30 but I put an 11 on it rather than the 12. The new 12 speed with an 11-32 or what ever it is would only make sense to me if I were really hitting a lot of very steep stuff with long assents. I have not put my hands on the new 12 speed levers but I would bet that they feel great, just as my 11 speed Campy does. Am I ready to upgrade? No reason to unless money is burning a hole in my pocket.

noodle soup

What size chainrings do you use?

kingston 

Street price on Chorus EPS is only a few hundred dollars more than 8050 Di2. Different story if you're talking about disk brakes where there is basically no comparison.

BigPoser

I was in this boat until about a week ago while trying to decide on a new group. I was seriously considering going to 8050 Di2 rather than Campy. However I decided to stick with my gut and stay with Campy mechanical. I'm currently on 2014 Chorus and love it such that I'm going to go to either Chorus on 11s Record. In fact, I'm ordering parts tomorrow. I just felt that Ultegra, even though it's Di2, is everywhere and I wanted something different. People look at my bike now and see that it has Campy on it and then really take a second look at it. I love it. Not to mention the fact that Campy is just so frickin good!

kingston 

Why not Chorus EPS?

BigPoser

I did consider that as well. but once I decided on Campy, the price difference was too much for me, even Chorus EPS.

Fox Farm

I am running a full compact with 50/34. Now, when I lived in Michigan, I ran a 53/42 and an 11/23 cassette. When I moved to Utah, on went some compact chain rings and an 11/25. Here in Czech Republic, there are some good hills and as much as I would like to not be using a full compact for some down hill speed, I would rather get up those hills first! Oh yea, I am 60.

Fox Farm

I would agree. I keep on trying to talk myself into electric shifting, and sure, it is nice stuff, but not necessary. I came from bike racing in the 1970s with friction down tube shifting and yes, dual controls were an amazing improvement, just as were clipless pedals and much of the rest of the technology that exists today. I guess if I do go with electronic I will wait for Campy to release their wireless version.

noodle soup

In my area there isn't anything I can't climb with a 34x25 gear(mostly 6-8% grades). In Fountain Hills AZ there's a little hill that's 18%, and the last time I climbed that using 39x25.

I'd rather struggle on .1% of my riding, and have ideal gearing on the other 99.9%.

rosefarts

50/34 crank and 12-30 cassette. I use all of my gears. I frequently spin out the 50:12, sure I could use a bit higher there. I'd rather be able to get up crazy stuff. I can tuck and coast faster than pedaling usually gets me so it's fine.

I thought the 11 was essential (with a 53) when I was racing. Probably youthful ignorance more than necessity.

kingston 

Wow. 50/12 is ~50 mph at 150 rpm. I need a pretty big hill to go that fast.

noodle soup

where do you get the 150 cadence?

kingston 

pidooma

noodle soup

I had to google that.

I love 50/34 with a 12-25t cassette, but once I’m at 40mph in a DH, I’m fine with tucking. In flatland sprints, I never spin-out 50x12.

kingston 

same here on all counts.