Comments on: Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM – FIGHT!

By: crhilton

crhilton — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:21:48 +0000

bradenm,

SRAM sells their shifters in, IIRC, 7 different assemblies. One of those is the brake lever and shifter paddle: The part you might brake in a crash.

I believe it's just Shimano that considers their shifters to be the holy of holies.

By: crhilton

crhilton — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:19:04 +0000

I like SRAM. Everytime I read the “Shimano invented this” and “Campy invented that” pissing match I think: “These idiots are buying the product based on who used to innovate more, even though they've all copied these innovations by now?” I'm glad SRAM has come in to make the point that Shimano and Campy sell a product that's not that hard to make and not worth what they've been charging.

As for electronic: Di2 is digital and electronic. I don't think Zap or Mektronic waited for gates and ramps to move the derailer. That's the interesting part. I think Shimano should get kudos for Di2. And SRAM should ship a competitor for a reasonable price.

By: Gene

Gene — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:17:23 +0000

I started riding good bikes in 1972 and everyone one of them has been Campy equipped. I own a 72 Atalla Record which still has the original Neuvo Record gruppo on it. This bike is my “mudder” and every component still works well on it. Several years ago I restored my custom built Medici that I had purchased around 1977. I put the Super Record components back on it with a polised Super Record crank. The bike is like a piece of jewelery. It gets as much attention at club rides as anything made from carbon fiber. As I write this my DeRosa is being equipped with 11s Chorus. My best days as a rider are behind me but pride of ownership is something I can still enjoy. There is no doubt in my mind that any one of these groups will perform at a pro level but ten years from now only one grouppo will be worth anything and that's Campy

By: Rocket

Rocket — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:23:52 +0000

Mephisto, tell me more about your record cranks that snapped in half. I've just had my second set of near-new Record cranks snap in the same place. Campag are being evasive. What crankset was it? Where did it snap?

By: Shimano, Campangolo, SRAM fight! « House of the Big Ring

Shimano, Campangolo, SRAM fight! « House of the Big Ring — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:15:53 +0000

[...] · Leave a Comment To be fair here I stole that title from another blog [...]

By: bradenm

bradenm — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 13:53:02 +0000

I won't comment on Sram but to say that the shop I work at is a Campag dealer, and rubbishes on anything thats not Italian. Thats industry for you.

I have used a full 2010 105 gruppo and am making the shift to a mix of 10sp Reord and Chorus.

(My preferences)
Shimano-Good
Braking feels more powerful from the hoods and in the drops. More grab sooner, if you will.
Replacement parts are cheap.

Shimano-(What I don't like)
Excessively soft up and down shifts. The mechanism does not feel as certain as I prefer, I would describe the feeling as vague. Also for the downshifts, you have to release the black lever for the shift to occur. Therefore slower then campag to put you into the next gear.
To keep brakes centered required a fair bit of post ride tweaking. I'm a pedantic SOB so even if it was 1mm out I'd fix it, so I can't call this a failing of shimano.

DISADVANTAGE:
Can't be rebuilt. You crash, get a new shifter. Can't get an identical one? Mismatched.

Campag-What I like (This is the older 10sp remember)
Shiting-instantaneous downshifting and the ability to dump the cassette.
Shifting-positive feel, you have no doubt as to the shift being completed.
FD Trim-I feel it is simply the best on the market. Multiple trim settings in the big and little ring, I don't have any rub in any combination-big big or even small small.
Aesthetics-It looks sweet.
Drivetrain responsiveness-ratcheting mech in the hub engages noticeably quicker the shimano offerings and the drivetrain (chain, front chainrings) are extremely stiff. Super responsive and feels very solid.

MAJOR ADVANTAGE:
If I crash and wreck my shifters, it will cost 100 bucks, not 300+ for a completely new unit. These can be serviced and rebuilt, other offerings cannot.

Campag-what I dont like.
Hood ergonomics. Not quite there, however will be swapping my internals for the new body with the new hoods.
The brakes-lever actuation ratio on these 10sp chorus shifters is not right, you cannot obtain the optimum mechanincal advantage so whilst there is better modulation then shimano, you need to squeeze a lot harder to get the same braking. I prefer shimano's offering in this respect, even the lowly 105.

Trying the new hoods will change the braking feel, as well as different aftermarket pads. I feel this may change my opinion on campag, and convert me completely. I will report back with my observations.

By: bradenm

bradenm — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 13:27:34 +0000

Any pro can win on any gear. Sram, Campag, Shimano-no top level groupet will impede your performance, with the exception perhaps of flexy ti FD.

By: john

john — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 03:42:07 +0000

How many di2 shimano sold till now? rsrs

By: Pimp My Ride

Pimp My Ride — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:42:22 +0000

[...] – Camy, Shimano or SRAM? [...]

By: Magnus

Magnus — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:42:38 +0000

Campag. Everything else is rubbish.

Oh and steel bikes only.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:41:30 +0000

Just as I wouldn’t buy a Toyota Camry or a Giant bike, I wouldn’t buy Shimano. Who wants to be a sheep. Just because they have the biggest chunk of the market, doesn’t make them good…. or stylish, for that matter.

By: David

David — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:49:54 +0000

Agree with pmark1bike…Euro / Italian bikes must be equipped with Campy. I’ve had CBT Italia and Pinarello Dogma running Campy and that makes the physical / spiritual package complete and coherent. Just now getting a Specialized Roubaix and will “allow” Shimano to come back onboard. Today, equipment is good all around and it’s a matter of taste, brand-fidelity and historical sensitivity. The man on the bike makes it go, not the gruppo.
Cheers and tight shifts,
David