Is Campagnolo becoming rarer?
07-10-11, 09:22 PM
#51
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I guess you haven't been following this thread because Campy Record can be purchased for less than Dura Ace or SRAM Red. As for a it being crap, it is the only group that isn't disposable. Anyone that has used or looked at all the groups will tell you that none of the top level groups are crap. However, my bike shop tells me that they have had more issues with SRAM than the other two groups.
07-10-11, 09:27 PM
#52
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Jr59, 25 miles was more than plenty for me to figure out I didn't like the thumb shudders. That's really all I said about my experience so go pound sand.
07-10-11, 09:34 PM
#53
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I don't undstand why everyone needs to get in a pissing contest over which group is better, cheaper, lighter, etc. Would you prefer that only one company makes groups? Without competition there would be no innovation. It is the same with pedals. Everyone likes something different or there would only be a need for one pedal manufacturer.
07-10-11, 09:48 PM
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I don't undstand why everyone needs to get in a pissing contest over which group is better, cheaper, lighter, etc. Would you prefer that only one company makes groups? Without competition there would be no innovation. It is the same with pedals. Everyone likes something different or there would only be a need for one pedal manufacturer.
New riders are prone to this. Nothing wrong with that, everyone has to start somewhere. However being willfully ignorant is another thing, especially after being shown over and over and over...
07-10-11, 10:06 PM
#55
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Because their small egos are tied to brand loyalty. They don't want to be seen to have made the "wrong choice". This despite the fact that all three groupset makers and most bike makers produce good stuff so it's pretty ridiculous.
New riders are prone to this. Nothing wrong with that, everyone has to start somewhere. However being willfully ignorant is another thing, especially after being shown over and over and over...
New riders are prone to this. Nothing wrong with that, everyone has to start somewhere. However being willfully ignorant is another thing, especially after being shown over and over and over...
07-10-11, 10:40 PM
#56
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I seriously don't know where you guys get your info or maybe it is that most of you make up as you go along. Or mabye you are just repeating what you heard some punk at a LBS say. Either way, Top end Campagnolo group is without a doubt the lightest. Campagnolo is also not only cheaper to purchase, but it is cheaper to maintain too. That is assuming you are not limited to only buying stuff at your LBS. I personally buy qhere it is cheaper and let one of my LBS do some work if I need it, otherwise I do it myself. It is not rocket science. I say it is cheaper to maintain as wel because chains and cassettes last far longer than Chitmano and SRAM, therefore, in the short and long run you save money there. Jut about everything else that wears over time last far longer on Campagnolo components, and as said before, everything is rebuildable. On top of it, this stuff simply last forever. I have a Croce group from back in the 80's that not only looks like new, but it works like new too. Parts are readily available too in a number of places, but you have to look for them. They will not be advertised at your LBS either as they would rather sell you a new SRAM briefter rather than telling you to get the parts to rebuild it as you could with Campagnolo.
I have actually started to see more bikes with Campagnolo as of late since the 11 sp stuff came out compared to previously. I'm talking about both at the LBS new bikes and out from bikes built from frame sets. Obviously, they seem to be more common in some areas of the country than in others for different reasons. South FL for example, is big into bling. So, you'll see $10K bikes dime a dozen and you tend to see more Campagnolo than in let's say GA, where Shimano seems to be king. No research into that comment. Just simple observation.
Oh, and the reason Campagnolo will NEVER go to the Shimano design for cassette placement is because Shimano is the poor design. This has been shown and proven and talked about over and over. Do a search here or in any other forum and you'll find more than plenty of info on it.
I have actually started to see more bikes with Campagnolo as of late since the 11 sp stuff came out compared to previously. I'm talking about both at the LBS new bikes and out from bikes built from frame sets. Obviously, they seem to be more common in some areas of the country than in others for different reasons. South FL for example, is big into bling. So, you'll see $10K bikes dime a dozen and you tend to see more Campagnolo than in let's say GA, where Shimano seems to be king. No research into that comment. Just simple observation.
Oh, and the reason Campagnolo will NEVER go to the Shimano design for cassette placement is because Shimano is the poor design. This has been shown and proven and talked about over and over. Do a search here or in any other forum and you'll find more than plenty of info on it.
Last edited by jayp410; 07-10-11 at 10:44 PM.
07-10-11, 10:51 PM
#57
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I have no experience with Shimano either but a few weeks ago I had an opportunity to test ride a new brand of bike. The bike didn't impress me but it had new Ultegra and I was nice stuff. I need to buy my wife a bike and I think the bike will have Ulegra on it.
07-10-11, 11:13 PM
#58
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I've ridden a 105/Ultegra mix and am currently using DA7800. Living in the rolling hills of MD, I am constantly shifting. On a typical 50 mile ride I shift hundreds of times...1000 shifts is well within the realm of possibility. I've had to adjust my RD barrel shifter maybe 3 times in the past year, and dropped my chain once in the past year. There's not much to complain about really.
07-10-11, 11:36 PM
#59
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I've ridden a 105/Ultegra mix and am currently using DA7800. Living in the rolling hills of MD, I am constantly shifting. On a typical 50 mile ride I shift hundreds of times...1000 shifts is well within the realm of possibility. I've had to adjust my RD barrel shifter maybe 3 times in the past year, and dropped my chain once in the past year. There's not much to complain about really.
07-10-11, 11:45 PM
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Don't know how to shop.
Or Record or Chorus.
Incorrect.
Have you actually ridden a Campy equipped bike?
Sure, it's 11 speed if you get the SR stuff,
but it's heavier, costlier,
and personlly I hate the shifters. Thumb? How sora-esque.
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07-10-11, 11:51 PM
#61
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Maybe someone else can answer. My only experience with 105/Ultegra is the older 9-speed generation (105 shifters/FD, Ultegra RD). From what I've heard, both series have been refined since then but not sure how they compare. I will say that the DA7800 FD is noticeably better than the old 105 FD...maybe they have improved the 105 one now though.
07-10-11, 11:55 PM
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I rode 270 miles on Ultegra in March and 160 on Tiagra in June. I'll stick with my Record, Chorus and Centaur bikes.
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07-11-11, 12:27 AM
#63
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That said in my opinion it's better to commit to a compatible brand so you can share wheelsets. So I would say go Campagnolo
07-11-11, 12:32 AM
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Campy stuff is "regarded by most cyclists"(at least by myself and everyone i know that has ridden a bike), as the "holy grail" of bike comps......
Last edited by LemondFanForeve; 07-11-11 at 12:38 AM.
07-11-11, 12:46 AM
#66
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Yes, it does make sense. I have considered buying my wife a frame and putting my Chorus triple on her frame. I would probably need to replace the crank arms to a 170 but everything else would be fine for her. I have been wanting to buy a Record 11 compact for a while but the Chorus triple I have works great. I would only need to buy handlebars and a seat post. I have a set of Mavic CXP33s that would work for her in the short term.
07-11-11, 12:53 AM
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Yes, it does make sense. I have considered buying my wife a frame and putting my Chorus triple on her frame. I would probably need to replace the crank arms to a 170 but everything else would be fine for her. I have been wanting to buy a Record 11 compact for a while but the Chorus triple I have works great. I would only need to buy handlebars and a seat post. I have a set of Mavic CXP33s that would work for her in the short term.
07-11-11, 06:20 AM
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I would argue that Campagnolo has never even approached ubiquity in North America. Others have stated various reasons, and I essentially think it comes down to lack of OE distribution. Campy likely doesn't care about this mass market, because they're able to do a healthy business as they are (why grow for growth's sake?). Going back to the OE argument: most people will never change the gruppo that came on their bike, and road biking is a relatively expensive sport as it is. When you add up the lack of OE involvement with the previous assumption that people don't change their gruppos, and add the overall expense of the sport, you quickly see why Campagnolo is rare(r).
If Bob D is right, and I think it's very likely that he is, Campy is in no trouble, because they're selling basically everything they can make. There must be a market out there for this stuff, and I would guess that it's entirely high-end and aftermarket. These customers are likely buying campy for any combination of exclusivity, durability, performance or nostalgia; for myself, it comes down to the first three.
Lastly, at the risk of coming off as a zealot, my experiences with Campy, SRAM, and Shimano have shown me that, overall, Campagnolo parts do last longer; chains, cassettes, shifters, and especially rear derailleurs wear much longer than SRAM or Shimano. Given two 7 year old rear derailleurs, one being Ultegra, and the other Chorus, both having been ridden hard, I guarantee you that the Chorus could be re-built, whereas the Shimano is going in the garbage.
Aside: I personally laugh at everyone that derides Campy yet rocks a set of Fulcrum wheels. I know you're out there.
If Bob D is right, and I think it's very likely that he is, Campy is in no trouble, because they're selling basically everything they can make. There must be a market out there for this stuff, and I would guess that it's entirely high-end and aftermarket. These customers are likely buying campy for any combination of exclusivity, durability, performance or nostalgia; for myself, it comes down to the first three.
Lastly, at the risk of coming off as a zealot, my experiences with Campy, SRAM, and Shimano have shown me that, overall, Campagnolo parts do last longer; chains, cassettes, shifters, and especially rear derailleurs wear much longer than SRAM or Shimano. Given two 7 year old rear derailleurs, one being Ultegra, and the other Chorus, both having been ridden hard, I guarantee you that the Chorus could be re-built, whereas the Shimano is going in the garbage.
Aside: I personally laugh at everyone that derides Campy yet rocks a set of Fulcrum wheels. I know you're out there.
07-11-11, 06:26 AM
#69
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Bottom line is that they all are functional. Some have some features others don't, some have some abilities or lack of that others don't, and in the end it comes down to preference. People tend to choose things they are familiar with and see a lot of because it makes them comfortable. Choose what you think is best for you regardless. I rode Chitmano equipped bikes twice for a year. The rest of the time I have used Campagnolo. There is no going back!!!
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07-11-11, 07:05 AM
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07-11-11, 07:08 AM
#71
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For years Campy was the standard for racing bikes. Even when Japanese components like SunTour Superbe and then Shimano Crane (later became DuraAce) matched Campy in performance and at least got close in durability Campy was still the standard.
Then Shimano got SIS right and things changed. Goodbye SunTour and hello DuraAce as a "legit" racing group. Racing legitimacy (as well as market dynamics that favor a huge company like Shimano) opened the door for market domination.
I still like my Campy.
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07-11-11, 08:01 AM
#72
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Of all the statements in this thread, the smart ones and the not so smart ones this one might be the dumbest. Congrats.
For years Campy was the standard for racing bikes. Even when Japanese components like SunTour Superbe and then Shimano Crane (later became DuraAce) matched Campy in performance and at least got close in durability Campy was still the standard.
Then Shimano got SIS right and things changed. Goodbye SunTour and hello DuraAce as a "legit" racing group. Racing legitimacy (as well as market dynamics that favor a huge company like Shimano) opened the door for market domination.
I still like my Campy.
For years Campy was the standard for racing bikes. Even when Japanese components like SunTour Superbe and then Shimano Crane (later became DuraAce) matched Campy in performance and at least got close in durability Campy was still the standard.
Then Shimano got SIS right and things changed. Goodbye SunTour and hello DuraAce as a "legit" racing group. Racing legitimacy (as well as market dynamics that favor a huge company like Shimano) opened the door for market domination.
I still like my Campy.
. I guess I am used to resting my fingers on my brake levers, and can't understand how you would want to swing your brake lever to shift!?
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07-11-11, 12:53 PM
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07-11-11, 12:56 PM
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