but Im looking at building up a bike and wanted to consider some Campy parts. I like the look of the Campy record ergoshifters, and theyre actually cheaper than the new dura-ace.
1) what is the difference between the two?
2) do they shift differently?
3) I know you can repair campy...are the parts expensive/hard to find?
4) and finally, **gasp**, are any of the campy/shimano parts compatible (if I go campy shifters, do I absolutely need a campy deraillors/cassette/brakes)?

1) Campy uses more high tech materials such as Ti and carbon fiber. Campy components are much more beautiful especially the shifters and the crank arms. The Campy shifters have separate controls for up and down shifts. The paddle shifter behind the brake lever is used for up shifts and the push button on the inside of the levers is used to down shift. Campy Record components are lighter than DA components. Those are just some of the differences.

2) I have to admit the new DA 10 stuff is some very nice shifting equipment. The Campy 10 is very nice too. Campy seems to need a break in period then it is silky smooth. You can shift up or down several gears at a time with both systems but Campy allows you to "run the rack" by downshifting all the way down the cassette. Campy also has an amazing ability to shift the into or out of the big ring at the same time you are moving up or down the cassette. You can also shift Campy while climbing out of the saddle without skipping a beat.

3) Campy stuff is very easy to repair. A spring broke in my right Record shifter. My LBS sent it off to the Campy repair facility in the US and a week later I got it back. It cost me about $30. You can also buy the parts from Branford bikes web site.

4) Realize that some people can make anything work together. For the rest of us, the only parts that are compatible are the brakes. You can use Shimano or any other manufacturers brakes with Campy. I use Zero Gravity brakes on my bike. The Campy shifters have the brake release built into the shifter so there is no release on Campy brakes. This means that Campy brakes will not work well with Shimano shifters because Shimano shifters lack the release. There are several other manufacturers of components that are compatible with Campy such as Phil Wood BBs, FSA cranks, Tiso cassettes, American Classic cassettes, Cane Creek and Zero Gravity brakes and Wipperman chains to name a few.

I hope that helps, I'm off to watch my Cards lose the 4th game of the World Series :(
See Ya!

Im about sold. the dura-ace 10's are very pretty, but heavy compared to the campy, and I personally agree with you...the campy is better looking. I would have been happy to stay with my 8spd dura-ace, but when they finally broke I began the game that shimano plays with its customers...they dont 'do' 8spd any more, and they dont repair, either...so its buy used, or upgrade, which is pretty damn expensive.

thanks for the reply...Ive got an old colnago that has the old dura-ace on it. I think Ill switch to campy with the new bike.

You won't be sorry. I've got 6 speed DA, 9 speed DA, 2002 Campy Record, 2004 Campy Ultra Record and 2004 Campy Centaur. I really prefer the Campy over the DA for performance and for looks there really is no comparison.