SushiJoe

Right.

Bob Dopolina 

Well, it would be an incentive for you, a long time Campagnolo user. My real point was that from 2006 to 2008 there was a distinct difference in the line and that the Escape mech was a better transition group for riders switching to Campagnolo for the first time where as Chorus and Record would more likely to be embraced by racers and long term users.

Now? Whole new ballgame.

Campag4life

The tactile thumb push click will be about the same. Climbing up the cassette in back is very different. Hard to even feel the shift now. I would say most don't like the feel of the new softer shift with the RH lever.

CastIron

Much that I like my '06 Chorus, I think Shimano is simply out running them in engineering, marketing, and distribution. I'll vote with my feet with my next bike purchase.

SushiJoe

Spot on.

Hocam

Not sure what you guys are talking about with the RH lever downshifts. Maybe you need to turn your ipods down; I have no problem feeling the clicks and have yet to overshift.

Maybe it's because I came from the QS veloce levers which had a similar feel.

lukasz

I don't like it but as long as I don't miss shifts it isn't the end of the world. I don't often rapidly shift up the cassette - and my climbing wussiness will now be silent. I see the thumb button has a different shape too. I enjoyed the shape of the older one.

Wonder if anyone will make hoods with the Campy logo and the grain that fit over these levers. I don't like the new ones aesthetically at all.

DaveSSS 

I've already voted: two bikes running 2009 Record/Chorus 11 speed and a third with the 2009 Centaur 10 speed shifters.

I can't see where Shimano is out running Campy with regard to engineering. Campy has introduced more new products for 2009 than Shimano will in the next several years. Campy has new shifters at all 5 levels. It will take years for the new Shimano shifter design to trickle down to 105. The new DA 7900 shifters are still heavier, not repairable, far more expensive and they have lost function with only a 2-cog shift available to larger cogs (if reports are correct). Somebody correct me if they have 7900 and know that the levers can still execute a 3-cog larger shift.

As for distribution, there is no comparison. Shimano domintates the OEM market, and Campy has all but pulled out of it. Until they get their US wholesale prices down, sales will be bleak at US based stores. I've bought all my parts from Germany or the UK at prices below US wholesale. Campy has their niche among higher end buyers who shop outside their LBS.

SushiJoe

Hey Dave, what's a good German site from which to order? I've only dealt with the UK sites.

lukasz

UK is probably a much better bet for the near future considering the Euro is killing the pound and the dollar, while the dollar is remaining pretty strong versus the pound. Plus German sites often require bank transfer payment, which is a huge PITA from the US.

embankmentlb

Oh i agree,I don't see how that "s" company stays in business. It's just gurrrrrossss! I won't even get into the aesthetics with the cables hanging out all over the place. 10 speed is so last year.

SushiJoe

All of it's good.
None of it sucks.

DaveSSS 

I agree. I got some parts from bike 24, around the time the Euro was at it's lowest, but prices have gone up since then. I would not order from bike 24 again. I had a lost package problem (USPS was at fault), but correcting it was a huge pain. Communications was terrible.

I'd stick with UK sources.

SilentShifter

My Dura Ace 7800 doesn't have those problems....

cuski

The only beef I have with the new 11s is the extensive use of Torx bolts. I don't know whether prior years Chorus/Record had them, but I know for sure my '07 Centaur mostly has hex bolts.

SushiJoe

Speaking of; DA 7800 shifters were on BonkTown earlier for $199.
People should keep an eye out for em!

halfspeed

I'm aware of this. Did you read the post to which you are replying?

Thanks for the reiteration, but I read the OP.

That's what I said, only with fewer words.

Rebuildable shifters and parts availability are two separate issues and I can't imagine why you responded with the former to the latter. If a derailleur detonates far from home, I'm far more likely to find a compatible replacement if I run Shimano than if I run Campy. The point is that there are costs to using Campy and if the benefits are minimized, then costs become a greater part of the differences.

nitropowered

I hope campy stiffens up the centaur before cross season. I'm putting on Centaur on my cross rigs this year (no way I'm using 11s for cross) and the soft shifting worries me a little. I like to know when I have shifted.

I could stick to my pre-09 stuff but braking from the hoods with cantilevers really sucks. Not too much leverage.

Campag4life

Besides Ralphie the BF neighborhood junkyard dog, your half wit equal btw, you are the only contentious poster in my thread. I have to admit laughing when I read your posts because you are so glum. You are like a verbose version of operator who use to haunt this place...lol. Please stay away from all my posts in the future as I have never found any value to your posts other than derision. This will make for a better community here and keep us from engaging. You may even disagree with that...lol. I will abide and sit on my hands and not respond to your feeble attempt at lucidity. Please stay away unless it is your desire to sully this board as in the case of Ralphie boy who per usual had nothing to contribute other than to troll which the moderators here strangely permit...perhaps for their perverse entertainment.
By comparison other contributors get it and their responses were spot on.

Campag4life

If you really want to get creative you can likely install a Record 11s index wheel in your RH Centaur lever and calculate the cable pull reduction and install a Shiftmate to compensate. I wouldn't wait on Campy for this change but believe it will occur due to the almost universal disdain for the softer shift. Some know that Record for '08 was made even firmer compared to lesser incantations as most like the feedback of knowing when a cog change has been made. The noticeable disconnect now is a very distinct detented shift down the cassette (up shift) with a thumb push/click...nice and distinct, compared to an almost invisible friction like shift assending back up the cassette. This is incongruous if you think about it...distinct click down and virtually no feedback climbing back up the cassette.

briscoelab

I used the 09 Centaur on my CX rigs this past year. The shifting was a little weird feeling at first, but you get used to it. Braking from the hoods is so much better on the 09 stuff it isn't even funny.

Yea, it shifts a bit different, but don't let that turn you away. The pluses of the shifters far outweigh the different shift feel.

I'm thinking about going Chorus 11 on my CX bikes for this season... haven't decided yet. I'm not too worried about the 11 speed being a problem there though. The cog thickness is essentially the same as Shimano 10 now.

SushiJoe

Totally agree.

Campag4life

I believe you and Joe are right in that the benefits of the new Centaur shifters outweigh the negative and they are still worthwhile. Also, there isn't a better value in the marketplace...200 bux for CF Centaur shifters out of the UK with the current US exchange rate. I was hoping to hear from those that have used these shifters for a while now which you have, concede the issue and have adapted which sounds like you have validated. I hope to adjust to the shifting over time as well and will certainly enjoy the improved ergos and braking from the hoods (and even drops) as you say. Thanks for your input. I too wouldn't worry about the cog thickness diff which is modest...even with the rough and tumble treatment in cross racing.

SushiJoe

I got my Centaur levers [carbon] last month from Ribble Cycles for $160.
That's a HUGE bang for the buck purchase, IMHO.
I was coming from 08 Record shifters (which I sold for $230). I do miss the positive shift feel, but I like everything else so much more.

embankmentlb

Let the Kool-aid flow freely.