lvleph

+1 I will never go back to shimano.

botto 

DA works better.

Ryleeryno

Care to explain?

nostromo

Most people seem to gravitate towards a complete brand's group set. But what about swapping to a FSA or Zipp ultra light weight carbon crank? Zero brakes? What other components can reduce weight even further than say going with just all Record? There must be racers out there that know which components will save them the most weight (cost being no object) than going with a single brand's group set.

EuroJosh

Totally

I'm running a Chorus RD as well, but it's probably not necessary.

lvleph

Why does Shimano refuse to hide those cables? It is such a cleaner look when they are not flailing around. SRAM and Campagolo have it right with that one for sure.

eippo1

I kind of like the old school look and I think they say that it's for less bends along the cables - kind of an old school idea that might as well be an old wives' tale at this point in the technology.

UT_Dude

SRAM is better than all options you listed. Cheaper for the weight, too.

fmw

There you go. Sounds like a well thought out opinion. I bought SRAM so that makes it better than the others? I've tested all of these groups in similar riding situations and you can read my specific comments on the functionality of each? I've run tests consistent with modern scientific method and I've proven that SRAM is "better" than others? Where can I read your tests?

bbattle

Check out Weight Weenies for a myriad of ways to be separated from your money and vastly increase your risk of catastrophic injury while increasing your speed on the bike only on long, steep climbs. And only a little bit, maybe.

UT_Dude

I don't feel like re-hashing my opinion, but...

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...highlight=sram

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...highlight=sram

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...highlight=sram

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...highlight=sram

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...highlight=sram

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...highlight=sram

Thanks for playing!

botto 

IME the shifting is better with DA, and it requires less service.

fmw

Ah. It's an opinion. You stated it as a fact.

UT_Dude

The thread was asking for opinions, so I assumed it would be taken as such. Congratulations, though, you've found my mistake! (I'm sure that's what you were wanting to hear, no?)

workscollective

Ultegra is a great deal for the price and weight...I've got a full ultegra 9 speed setup on my bike now and have god only knows how many miles on it. Still works great, no major problems. Competitively light weight. No complaints...

That said I'm trying the new SRAM Force group on my next bike. (Maybe Red if it is released and sounds decent.) But then again it's going to be a custom steel bike and you gotta treat yourself to something sexy every now and again.

terry b

Do you like thumb shifters or not?

Half the decision lies in the answer to that simple question. It's not about weight or value, it's about how these groups shift gears. They will all do the job pretty well, it's more about how you interact with them.

caloso

One thing I really like about Campy shifters is that the left/front shifter is micro-indexed, meaning it's very trimmable, meaning you can use more of the rear cog without chain rub. And it's a snap to set up: Pull cable, tighten bolt, done.

shabbasuraj

Ultegra.....

JayC

SRAM shifters, RD, Ultegra FD and crankset, SRAM brakes.

Prolly pretty light.. you'll have to add it up yourself tho

I havent ridden a Campy group but I have ridden DA and Ultegra and the above group is pretty much what's on my main bike. I prefer the comfort of the SRAM hoods. If you like teh feel of the Campy hoods, the SRAMs would be something to look at for you. If you like the Shimano hoods, you may not like Campy or SRAM tho.

Psimet2001 

You really can't seem to beat Ultegra for price/performance/durability/availibility of inexpensive rapair parts.

Campy components are nice as well - of course they are rebuildable. I can walk down to any LBS (in this area, and most likely any in the country) and ask for a new Ultegra BB cups and be able to walk out with them. If I walked into ANY LBS in this area and asked the first person I came across for BB cups for my Campy Ultra Torque crank....I would get a blank stare.

After going through 3-4 people I would get to the mech who would have to look in the QBP catalog to understand what I was looking for, then I would have to wait a week and pay.

Campy replacement parts can be found cheaply on the internet, but you do have to wait. If you have an emergency break-down with Campy you are SOL for parts....in my area....

DMF 

105.

FlashBazbo

I'm finally back online after a week away. In the meantime, I've done some testing.

SRAM? Cool looking stuff. I was NEARLY sold! Then, I explained to the guy that my build-up is for a bike especially for use in mountain road races. It's a climber bike. He nearly went pale. Then he showed me . . . with a SRAM, if you lose track of where you are, and you happen to be on the biggest rear cog, and you try to shift for one more . . . it shifts UP! In other words, just when you thought you needed a lower gear, giving it your all, on the steepest, highest part of the mountain . . . the SRAM surprises you in a very bad way. It doesn't NOT shift . . . it shifts the very opposite of what you wanted. No SRAM. I don't want to have to think about that. As the dealer said, "Maybe they'll fix that with Red." Maybe.

Campy? Beautiful stuff. Light. Elegant. I even found a pristine, very lightly used year-old Record gruppo for the price of a new Chorus setup. (OCPs can be your friends!) But the thumb lever seems very, very awkward to me. It's an ergonomic disaster. I'm sure it's great when your hand is in the right position -- but I like the fact that I can shift my Ultegras from any position without any contortions and without thinking about it.

Dura Ace? I still love that crankset. There's nothing as masculine as that anywhere else in bicycling. But . . . I just don't see the functional differences between Dura Ace and Ultegra as being very great. I might be wrong. Perhaps a significant difference would show up after a few hundred miles. I couldn't see it/feel it in the stores, though.

Ultegra isn't sexy (although, let's give SL a look). But it works great. And, while it's not CHEAP, it is a great deal for the money.

Pending any new product introductions, I'm sure I'm staying in the Shimano camp. The control movements make a huge difference to me. (And if I were a lifelong Campy guy, I might make the opposite decision for the same reason.) If common sense prevails and Shimano gets the product in the pipeline, it will be Ultegra SL. (If common sense takes a holiday, it may well be Dura Ace.)

Now, to do some gearing tests on my current bike. I'll break out the wrenches and head for some of the nastier area climbs. Do I need a compact? A triple? (I'll take speed over pride any day.) This is a fun process.

acorn_user

If you want to stay with Shimano, I would try and get a deal for Ultegra SL because Grey rules
Otherwise, I'd get Centaur. (In grey)

Ryleeryno

I'm in the same boat. I couldn't decide between Dura Ace and Record for the new Pedal Force ZX3 frame. Since I have smaller hands and like the feel of Campy shifters I went with Campy Record. I currently run 9spd Ultegra and have few complaints but I truly like the feel of the Campy hoods over the Shimano so I'm sold. It's all about personal preference.

wrote4luck

I went through this phase back in March, and I chose neither. I actually bought Sram Rival instead. It's serious good stuff, and MUCH cheaper than chorus.