This may be like a ford vs chevy question, but I was pretty set on DuraAce for my R3 until talking to someone at competitive cylces. They seem to push campy Chorus instead. Any experience with these two? Price is close either way.

This may be like a ford vs chevy question, but I was pretty set on DuraAce for my R3 until talking to someone at competitive cylces. They seem to push campy Chorus instead. Any experience with these two? Price is close either way.

is a quick search of the components site. This question has been addressed many times. Read thru these and then come back with some more specific questions.
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/search.php?searchid=1308707


Both high end groups will work better than you can take advantage of.

This question can be like religion.

Len

shimano and campy suck! suntour!!!!!

edit: I forgot to say: try to try both and just see which you like better.

You hit the nail on the head with the Ford vs. Chevy comparison. It all boils down to preference. Very few folks can really use either to their full potential. I personally ride shimano dura ace, love it, but I could peddle just as slowly with 105's. Ask questions as to why someone is pushing a certain brand though. Higher profit margin? Unloading old gear? Or do they really think one is better than the other?

Now you got SRAM Force and Rival as well , both look very sleek.

DA is freakly good value though...

I ride campy.

I recently moved from Shimano to Campy.

Both change the gears, both make the bike stop. Both have good points, both have things that could improve.

The next bike will be Campy. Unless it's Shimano. SRAM, as much as I'd like to like it, still has a bit of work to do to convince me.

After riding Campy equipped road bikes for the past 10 years or so, I almost made the switch to Shimano a few weeks ago. There are just so many bikes that come OEM with Shimano that it makes a LOT of economic sense to go that way.

Thankfully, I was able to get a frameset and build my new bike using some of the Campy parts from my old bike...along with some new parts. And, I did it for the same coin the Shimano bike would have cost!

I could have ridden the Shimano equipped bike just as well but, I prefer Ergo shifters to the Shimano style. Like was stated already...Ford vs. Chevy.

Another reason I didn't switch...I was told by a poster on another cycling forum that my manhood would fall off IF I switched! :blush2:

This may be like a ford vs chevy question, but I was pretty set on DuraAce for my R3 until talking to someone at competitive cylces. They seem to push campy Chorus instead. Any experience with these two? Price is close either way.

More like Toyota vs Ferrari to me.

I do ride both on my two bikes. I like training with Dura-Ace because is comfortable on the brake drops but for racing is Record all the way. More aggressive and classy.

Tell me what car you drive and what car you want to drive and I'll give you the correct answer.

So you are telling me that you want campy but can not afford it...

I'm riding both 2007 DA and 2004 Veloce. I had to go through the Veloce pretty well to get it working nicely, but it's broken in and works fine. Would be easy to write that I don't notice the differences, but that's not true. Takes me 2 seconds to adapt.

I'd describe the Campy as more crisp and edgy feeling to shift. Clunk clunk clunk. Fast shifts. Industrial. Functional. I like the thumb sweep for upshifts in the rear. Feels more racy.

DA is slick. Very slick. Smooth. Effortless. Not as fast. Supple. Doesn't tell me to go faster, but will certainly support it.

On the brakes, the Campy go "CHUNK" and start doing their thing, nice feel. Perhaps a little smoother and easier for me to modulate the DA brakes. But the Campy feel good.

I ride differently on the hoods, but this is difficult to figure out sitting at a computer. I know I set the angle a little different. Both are quite comfortable.

Were I shopping at the moment I wouldn't be letting the componentry control my decision. I'd go with the frame and wheels as the deciding factors.

I'm riding both 2007 DA and 2004 Veloce. I had to go through the Veloce pretty well to get it working nicely, but it's broken in and works fine. Would be easy to write that I don't notice the differences, but that's not true. Takes me 2 seconds to adapt.

I'd describe the Campy as more crisp and edgy feeling to shift. Clunk clunk clunk. Fast shifts. Industrial. Functional. I like the thumb sweep for upshifts in the rear. Feels more racy.

DA is slick. Very slick. Smooth. Effortless. Not as fast. Supple. Doesn't tell me to go faster, but will certainly support it.

On the brakes, the Campy go "CHUNK" and start doing their thing, nice feel. Perhaps a little smoother and easier for me to modulate the DA brakes. But the Campy feel good.

I ride differently on the hoods, but this is difficult to figure out sitting at a computer. I know I set the angle a little different. Both are quite comfortable.

And to this fine description of both groups, add the aesthetics, which one is more pleasing to your eyes, and that's the group for you.

Generally, comparing Chorus to Dura-Ace is difficult because both are stellar products, if it was comparison of Ultegra to Chorus, perhaps I would edge more toward Chorus.

For the record, I ride Campy and like its positive ("industrial") response when shifting, but I admit that Dura-Ace levers are just slightly more comfortable for my hands. Aesthetics-wise, I prefer Campy.

In the end, you won't go wrong either way.

is a quick search of the components site. This question has been addressed many times. Read thru these and then come back with some more specific questions.
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/search.php?searchid=1308707


Both high end groups will work better than you can take advantage of.

This question can be like religion.

Len

What does this even mean when people say this? Where is there anything to "take advantage of" in a shifter group that someone can/will?

What does this even mean when people say this? Where is there anything to "take advantage of" in a shifter group that someone can/will?

I think they mean that most riders don't really NEED to spend the extra coin for DA, Chorus/Record when the lower end groups work just fine.

I rode Campy Mirage for years (8spd no less). I was just fine. I was able to keep up with the group and all was right with the world. THEN, like a LOT of people, I was struck with upgrade-itiss. :cryin:

Now I'm using Chorus 10spd. Though I can tell the difference between the old Mirage and the new Chorus, I don't ride any faster. :rolleyes:

Well I intend to do a lot of hill climbing, so I guess what I'm most concerned about is good positive shifts under heavy load. That would make the most difference for my application.

Well I intend to do a lot of hill climbing, so I guess what I'm most concerned about is good positive shifts under heavy load. That would make the most difference for my application.

Then I would recommend the clunky, industrial, positive shifting of Campy. You can hear and feel the shift under your hands and there's no doubt you're in the next gear. Shimano shifters are smooth and quiet, for better or worse. For me, I find that type of shifting to be vague and not very reassuring.

I would recommend Shimano, because the actual shifting, you know, from gear to gear, works better, at least in my experience on many bikes and many different set-ups. This is especially true on the front chainrings, and under load in the rear.

If you want to be reassured by loud noises, well, if the bike is properly set up there shouldn't be any.

I would recommend Shimano, because the actual shifting, you know, from gear to gear, works better, at least in my experience on many bikes and many different set-ups. This is especially true on the front chainrings, and under load in the rear.

If you want to be reassured by loud noises, well, if the bike is properly set up there shouldn't be any.

+1
I think Campy looks nicer, but I think DA shifts smoother (no clunk), and has smoother and more powerful braking.
Then again, if you are a climber and/or a weight weenie, a Record Groupo will come in at least a couple hundred grams lighter than a DA groupo.

sram, shimano, and campy all make gruppos that work very very well. some people cite shifting feel differences, but thats not a huge issue for me. brand loyalty (like the chevy/ford thing) can also be an issue, but again, not for me. weight could be an issue, but a couple hundred grams here or there doesnt bother me. you sound similar to me, so here is how i would choose a new gruppo:

go to your local shops, ride some bikes with shimano, sram, and campy, because the biggest difference you will notice i think is how the hoods feel (shape, size, level placement, etc). another factor: looks. somebikes need alloy components, and then dura-ace is your guy. other bikes look great with carbon, so campy might be for you (or sram). and finally, do you want to try something new? maybe you have had a few shimano bikes, and want a change just to see what its like. i dont have a sram bike, but would like one, just so i can have all the flavors that are the neopolitan component ice cream.

I would recommend Shimano, because the actual shifting, you know, from gear to gear, works better, at least in my experience on many bikes and many different set-ups. This is especially true on the front chainrings, and under load in the rear.

If you want to be reassured by loud noises, well, if the bike is properly set up there shouldn't be any.

It's one thing to say you like the feel or ergonomics of a particular manufacturer, but it's another to suggest that one works better than the other. If function was an issue, we wouldn't see the pro peleton riding SRAM, Shimano, and Campagnolo. Truely, the only thing that 99% of people can notice is the ergonomics and the shift mechanism of the brifters. Every other component is far removed from the rider and technically similar.

If Pros ride all 3 (Campy, Shimano and SRAM) to great success without complaints, it's clearly obvious that it doesn't matter what we ride as the pros have already put these components through their paces and we are benefiting from their experience. No pro who makes a living riding his bike would compromise his performance if he knew that one component would give him an advantage over another - the fact that all 3 brands are employed in the TdF confirms that there is no wrong decision.

I rode several versions of DA 7401 and 7700 for 14 years and now have Chorus 10 on my primary bike for the last 3 years. The old DA 7401 8sp is still on a second bike. I can't really say one is better than the other. They are both great groups. I switched to Campy for shifter hood shape and thumb shifter convenience, lack of cable clutter up front, and aesthetics and style. With each version of DA levers, they keep growing in size, my hands are on the smaller side so the relatively smaller Campy hood shape fits well for me. I also like I have the option to have my Campy lever rebuilt if I ever need it. That's pretty much not an option with DA, and they do wear out over time. But, I wouldn't blink twice about getting DA again down the road. Myself, I wouldn't "take the leap" to SRAM. I'm sure it's a fine group and all, but it's the same reason I wouldn't buy a new car in it's first model year. I'd rather let someone else be on the bleeding edge of new gear.

brewster

If Pros ride all 3 (Campy, Shimano and SRAM) to great success without complaints, it's clearly obvious that it doesn't matter what we ride as the pros have already put these components through their paces and we are benefiting from their experience. No pro who makes a living riding his bike would compromise his performance if he knew that one component would give him an advantage over another

Very few pros have enough pull to decide what they ride. 98% of pros ride what the sponser has paid the team he rides for to ride.

- the fact that all 3 brands are employed in the TdF confirms that there is no wrong decision.

the pros ride the component group that pays them to ride it. It has little if anything to do with functionality. Pay the team enough and they will ride anything.

Just sayin'

Len

the pros ride the component group that pays them to ride it. It has little if anything to do with functionality. Pay the team enough and they will ride anything.

Just sayin'

Len

True..to a point. If one or the other brands kept giving them problems, especially if the problems were costing them results...no amount of money would be able to "buy" a company a race team. At least, not for very long.

As a dyed in the wool Campy freak, I want you to stop all this nonsense and buy something with Campy on it!!!! VBG!

I got a new bike 4 months ago and moved to Campy. I gotta tell you it's nice. It's a feel thing and maybe it feels better because I spent the money and it's too late to change my mind but it just feels better. At the same time there are distinct differences that are not based on "feeling" or personal taste.

1) Have you ever taken a wheel off a Shimano bike put it back on and forgot to adjust the brake release back? I did that once, jumped on my bike and went downhill immediately. Went to hit the brakes and nearly nothing. Campy releases the brake at the lever which means if you forget to put it back, you will still have the same braking capability as you do when it's set right, the lever throw is just a bit longer.

2) You can "dump" the cassette. In other words you can drop several gears in a heartbeat. You can do this (kind of) with Shimano, but it's really fast with Campy.

3) Control levers and cable routing is much cleaner. There aren't cables flying all over in front of the bike they are all under the grip tape. If you want to use Nokons, Campy is a snap.

4) Shimano BBs are just not that good. Campy is remarkably better. While this may be

None of these things are big deals and none have little if anything to do with performance, but these are tangible differences.

I got a new bike 4 months ago and moved to Campy. I gotta tell you it's nice. It's a feel thing and maybe it feels better because I spent the money and it's too late to change my mind but it just feels better. At the same time there are distinct differences that are not based on "feeling" or personal taste.

1) Have you ever taken a wheel off a Shimano bike put it back on and forgot to adjust the brake release back? I did that once, jumped on my bike and went downhill immediately. Went to hit the brakes and nearly nothing. Campy releases the brake at the lever which means if you forget to put it back, you will still have the same braking capability as you do when it's set right, the lever throw is just a bit longer.

2) You can "dump" the cassette. In other words you can drop several gears in a heartbeat. You can do this (kind of) with Shimano, but it's really fast with Campy.

3) Control levers and cable routing is much cleaner. There aren't cables flying all over in front of the bike they are all under the grip tape. If you want to use Nokons, Campy is a snap.

4) Shimano BBs are just not that good. Campy is remarkably better. While this may be

None of these things are big deals and none have little if anything to do with performance, but these are tangible differences.

and as a Campy fan, I'd put +1 on that :)

Still, no flame war please

I rode Campy for years, then when I started to Mtn Bike, I started to ask the question: "How come Campy Record on my roadie doesn't work as seamlessly as Shimano XTR on my mountain bike?" Went with DA on a new bike in '03 and was really happy. New build this spring, when money was no object, I went with DA again. Found the I can "Dump" gears just as fast with DA, click as fast and as many times as you want, and your there. I don't like the feel of so many cables under the tape either. I use a triple, and the DA sealed cartridge triple BB is outstanding. (I like the look of the 7700 DA better than the 7800, so I went 9sp. With a triple, the extra gear in the back did not mean much to me)

Another poster compared it to Toyota vs Ferrari... not really. More like Lexus vs. Ferrari. The Lexus (I own one, so I know) doesn't "Stir the sole" like the Ferrari, but it IS boringly reliable and the finest engineering available. My boss has a Ferrari, it's in the shop all the time, but when it's not, woo boy, the stares he gets driving the Spyder down the street! Oh, he uses his Lexus for daily driving!

Bling factor? Campy by a country mile.

Rock solid design, engineering, and reliablity, they both have it.

As the saying goes... "you break Campagnolo in and you wear Shimano out".

I have two campy record bikes and one DA. The record when tuned correctly is quiet and shifts like an automatic transmission. I like the ergo shifter (personal preference) over the DA. I also like the DA over the Campy Chorus. However, record when tune is amazing, not too mention the bling factor.

They're both good. DuraAce 7400 got me off Campy, if only temporarily until Campy waded their way through the misstep of Synchro.

The Lexus vs. Ferrari analogy doesn't wash with me. Both are very reliable.

Finally, the long term durability of 10 speed (both) is still somewhat up in the air, but show me a still functioning, high-mileage first generation 8 speed STI and I'll show you an anomaly. Meanwhile my 8 speed Record Ergo is still going strong.

I can't believe not one person has mentioned the serviceability factor of Campagnolo.

$15 in parts to rebuild a Record (or any other level) shifter.

The car analogy doesn't work, as Toyotas, Lexus, etc can all be serviced. Would you buy a car that couldn't be serviced? Then why buy a bicycle that can't be?

I can't believe not one person has mentioned the serviceability factor of Campagnolo.

While I didn't say it directly, that's what I was alluding to. My old Record 8 speed Ergo's have been rebuilt.:thumbsup:

I have two campy record bikes and one DA. The record when tuned correctly is quiet and shifts like an automatic transmission. I like the ergo shifter (personal preference) over the DA. I also like the DA over the Campy Chorus. However, record when tune is amazing, not too mention the bling factor.

so chorus is not the same as record? (shifting) I thought just the materials were different

so chorus is not the same as record? (shifting) I thought just the materials were different

You are correct.

Identical mechanism. Different materials.

You are correct.

Identical mechanism. Different materials.

Even the difference in materials is minimal. A titanium pin here. A little better lay-up of carbon there.