ravenmore

Don't get me wrong - I've spent a lot of time on all 3 major groups and I love how Campy performs, but I'm tired of $85 chains, $200 cassettes, and then getting the honor of having to wait days/weeks for such expensive bits because no one has them locally. Final straw was trying to replace a torn shifter hood - that and lack of support for the 10 speed group.

Sram or Shimano, here I come (probably Sram).

kergin

That's too bad to hear. I assume you race or ride this bike every day, if maintenance like chains and cassettes are somewhat ad-hoc? Parts distribution for Campy really does suck over here and so does the inevitable waiting for stuff from overseas mail order.

SRAM hoods feel like a more comfortable evolution of pre-2008 Campy hoods, FWIW.

PM me on the shifters. I might be interested, depending on what you're asking for them.

botto 

is this an ad?

Homebrew01

No one will know if you buy non-Record chains & cassettes ...... KMC chains & Centaur cassettes work fine.
Dura-Ace & Red ain't cheap either.

Disguised as whining

AngryScientist 

order from the UK and plan ahead, problem solved IMO.

cassette and chain replacements are not unforseen maintenance, order them well ahead of when you need them. i use veloce and centaur cassettes on my 10-sp stuff, they shift just as well as chorus or record at literally a fraction of the price. just picked up a cassette from ribble for the winter wheels for 30-something shipped, can't beat that.

and yes, i am in the market for some 10-sp gear, PM me.

hammy56

ebay.

bostongarden

I saw a bike icon next to this thread, so, I don't think it is an ad or attempt to sell anything. Does the flame icon next to the title thread indicate that something is being sold?

Homebrew01

Forum doesn't look any different to me ... but I guess other people see flames & frogs & stuff.

Jasper Storm

I understand what you mean. You can't walk into any Performance or REI and pick up Campy parts and many LBS mechanics don't have experience with Campy (most notably 11 speed.)

As AngryScientist said, you have to plan ahead and stockpile things like chains and cassettes (cable sets and bottom brackets also) and learn to do the work yourself.

Before I started doing (most of) my own wrenching, I had mechanics install chains incorrectly, install generic aftermarket bottom bracket bearings of the wrong size, etc.

For purchasing components and accessories, there are some good eBay stores (probikediscount, for one) that have good deals. I still get most of my stuff from PBK. It usually takes 6-10 days to arrive, which quicker than many domestics I have dealt with.

All this being said, I too have felt the pull towards SRAM. Maybe on my next bike.

lukasz

My Campy chains cost no more than $35.

DaveSSS 

Most people would say that you're trolling. Either that or not real sharp.

You only have yourself to blame for the situation - you're not ambitious enough to use your computer to find parts at reasonable prices.
Any 10 speed chain will work with Campy 10, but a Campy chain will last longer. Campy 10 chains start at $32 and cassettes a $42 here:

https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/pp/roa...ke/Chains/CHAI
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/pp/roa...ttes-Road/CASS


There have been numerous postings, dating back to late '08 about the artificial prices increases that only affect US based sellers.
I bought Campy 11 speed chains for $40 or less and Chorus 11 cassettes for about $100.
I stock up with large orders from places like Ribble or Shiney bikes and never have to wait for replacement parts that I know I'm going to need.
I also buy tires cheap from the UK - about half what your LBS will charge

ravenmore

Geeze B - I come back from a long break from BF and you're already busting my balls. Glad to see some things never change.

ravenmore

A times in the season I ride/race up to 300 - 400 miles a week. I've broken chains and cassette cogs (sheared a Veloce cog in half once). Then spent a week waiting for replacement parts. It's happened repeatedly. I don't want to stock a bike shop at home. I like being able to walk into any shop and walk out the door with what I need to get back on the road. I simply cannot do that in Austin, TX. with Campy. It's a hassle. Campy's functionality is great, but it's value and availablity here compared to Sram and Shimano leave it at a huge disadvantage.

Also, on chains, other than Campy chains I've only found 1 that doesn't jump in the 11T cog and that's the top end KMC (its actually a little narrower than the Campy chains). That's still ~$60.

ravenmore

Btw if you want to see the bike in question it is the first one in the Hot'r Not thread.

StanSeven

That's from using drugs

ravenmore

Ah, I see Bikeforums provides the same warm fuzzy as always.

coasting 

excellent. another one turned to the dark side.

ravenmore

since some people need pictures:

StanSeven

Yeah, you're right there. Even the largest stores don't stock that much in the way of parts because the demand volume isn't high.

ravenmore

also starting to see less neutral wheel support for Campy at races...

Nachoman

From.

canopus 

I don't think keeping a spare chain and cassette is considered stocking a bike shop. Heck, I keep 2nd bike I can pull parts from if needed. And at 300/400 miles per week as you say your looking at turn over in the 2 to 3 month range anyway.

Carbon Unit

I considered SRAM too but has since changed my mind and will stick with Campy. I don't really seem SRAM being all that much cheaper if at all. SRAM stuff isn't rebuildable. I can't jump as many gears and I can with Campy; and, I would need to re-dish two rear wheels.

Finally, I have never had an issue with Campy gear not being available from Performance Bike. I have only needed buy chains in the last four years and I get them online.

DaveSSS 

Your post proves that you're not much of a mechanic either. I've used Shimano and KMC chains with Campy and never had a problem.
Even the cheap KMC DX10SC works just fine. Did you use an 11T lockring? It's not the same as the 12-13T model. There is no reason for
another chain brand to skip on the 11T cog.

If you know that local shops don't stock Campy parts, why whine about it? My local shops don't either, so I buy everything mail order - for the last 15 years.

coasting 

that's razor's bike!