Thorn Cycles Forum

Community => Non-Thorn Related => Topic started by: Billy on November 07, 2003, 08:42:30 am

Title: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: Billy on November 07, 2003, 08:42:30 am
MY new frame is coming. It's been a while since I equipped a new bike.So should I go for Campagnolo or Shimano? Or be different and go for T.A. and hub gears? No racing just lightly loaded rides.
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: SPINNERS on November 09, 2003, 05:08:25 pm
What frame are you having then?
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: Dave Whittle Thorn Workshop on November 20, 2003, 07:06:00 pm
Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano!

Campag? er no thanks, I would rather have Sora on my bike than Campagnolo Record 10 speed!

Shimano stuff has parts avalibility, is very proven kit, and I have only ever seen a few genuine warranty problems.

Campag stuff has no parts avalibility, is very proven kit if you change it after every race, and I have seen piles of genuine warranty problems.
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: James on November 25, 2003, 12:13:32 pm
There are more pro riders using Campag than Shimano.
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: asterix on November 25, 2003, 07:35:47 pm
I've read a lot of Campag vs Shimano threads but I still can't make up my mind on the basis of what I have read. The advantage of one over the other seems to be marginal.

I am in the process of buying a new bike and although my other bikes have had Shimano and other parts, this time I am going to try Campag, if only to find out for myself.  I won't be surprised if there isn't a lot of difference though.
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: James on November 29, 2003, 09:15:14 am
It will be interesting to hear your comments when you have tested your new bike so I will be looking for them in the future.
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: RunningWoman on December 03, 2003, 04:06:03 pm
I've got Campy Record gruppa on my carbon road bike, and it's marvelously smooth--just amazing.  Much different from the Shimano Ultegra I had on my old Trek 5200.

That being said, I suspect the Shimano is less twitchy (and perhaps more dependable) when one doesn't have a mechanic standing by!

Kim
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: Con on December 03, 2003, 04:55:36 pm
Whats this about spares being available for Shimano - jockey pulleys maybe but nothing else I think!
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: Nick Payne on December 08, 2003, 06:59:46 am
Try the levers (STI vs Ergo) and see which you prefer and find more comfortable. Everything else is a washup.

Personally, for a bike using bigger than racing size tyres I like using Shimano brakes with Campagnolo levers, as that gives me quick releases on both brake and lever, which means I can remove a wheel without having to deflate the tyre (eg a 700x28 Gatorskin on an Open Pro rim won't fit past the brake blocks unless I release the QR on both the Ergo levers and the long reach Ultegra calipers.
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: James on January 18, 2004, 11:19:58 am
quote:
Originally posted by asterix

I've read a lot of Campag vs Shimano threads but I still can't make up my mind on the basis of what I have read. The advantage of one over the other seems to be marginal.

I am in the process of buying a new bike and although my other bikes have had Shimano and other parts, this time I am going to try Campag, if only to find out for myself.  I won't be surprised if there isn't a lot of difference though.


Have you bought the new bike and if so what's the verdict on the gearing?
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: asterix on January 19, 2004, 06:14:15 pm

Yes, I have the new bike. It has a Racing Triple chainset, Centaur derailleurs and Veloce ergo levers.  

Due to lack of time and a reluctance to take it out in cr*p weather, I have been on one ride so far of only 30 miles.  However, so far I am very pleased indeed with the campag changes and definitely prefer the ergo levers to the 105 STIs.  However, I need to do a lot more miles to do a fair comparison generally.
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: Si Davies on January 19, 2004, 07:36:08 pm
>>However, I need to do a lot more miles to do a fair comparison generally.

Well that's the advantage of campag - you can actually do a lot more miles with it, unlike use-it-once-and-chuck-it shimano [;)]
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: James on January 23, 2004, 04:10:32 am
quote:
Originally posted by Si Davies

>>However, I need to do a lot more miles to do a fair comparison generally.

Well that's the advantage of campag - you can actually do a lot more miles with it, unlike use-it-once-and-chuck-it shimano [;)]


Is that an exaggeration[?]
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: grant620 on February 10, 2004, 01:20:44 am
quote:
Originally posted by Danger Mouse

Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano! Shimano!

Campag? er no thanks, I would rather have Sora on my bike than Campagnolo Record 10 speed!

Shimano stuff has parts avalibility, is very proven kit, and I have only ever seen a few genuine warranty problems.

Campag stuff has no parts avalibility, is very proven kit if you change it after every race, and I have seen piles of genuine warranty problems.



LOL!
Agreed mate.
Shimano is where it's at.
If people want to be "different" fair enough - buy a frame with a custom colour...
If you were buying a car, would you buy one that has a pushrod engine running on steam? NO! you would get a reliable 16v injection or Diesel unit, so why question the groupset of a bike?
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: Dave Whittle Thorn Workshop on February 12, 2004, 12:19:33 am
quote:
Originally posted by Con

Whats this about spares being available for Shimano - jockey pulleys maybe but nothing else I think!



Try me then, spares for Shimano are avalible for 6 years after the item is last made!!
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: MOULTY on February 12, 2004, 08:43:58 pm
Shimano!

If its good enough for Lance,its good enough for me.



[:)][:)][:)][:)]
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: John on February 13, 2004, 04:51:16 pm
12-34 cassette 30/42/52 rings STI road levers 145mmOLN rear hub - try that with Campags roady rubbish and Lance has a sevice vehicle 50metres behind.
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: James on February 15, 2004, 06:59:59 am
quote:
Originally posted by John

12-34 cassette 30/42/52 rings STI road levers 145mmOLN rear hub - try that with Campags roady rubbish and Lance has a sevice vehicle 50metres behind.


I've never seen anybody working on his gearing in a race.
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: Polar Bear on February 15, 2004, 08:56:08 am
As far as I can tell if you're an out-and-out racing type the campag stuff is as good as shimano in this sector.   Try touring , leisure, hybrid or mtb stuff.   DOn't see campag there at all.   Shimano kit is on every one of our six bikes simply because I can get the stuff easily and the available kit is more appropraite to need.  

One point though:  I have a mate with a campag chorus setup on his tourer - he is always having gear adjustment problems.   I never do on my shimano 105 setup even though I have non-standard ratios.   He likes touring with me 'cos I can get them working for him whereas he's about as useful as a chocolate teapot with a screwdriver!
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: SPINNERS on February 15, 2004, 03:22:20 pm
I've been using Campag since 1994 and I've had 8, 9 and 10 speed groupsets starting with Stratos and Mirage (8 speed) moving up to Record and Chorus (9 speed) and now Centaur and Chorus (10 speed). It's really good kit and the only time I've needed a spare part was when I broke a headset fork crown race due to trying to force it onto a fork that was ever so slightly bigger than normal. There were no problems getting a spare part at all, thanks to our friends at MERCIAN CYCLES (always worth a visit).

At the moment, I do think that Campag are overdoing the carbon fibre which is why I prefer Centaur and Chorus (2003 not 2004) and I'd love to see Campag introduce some 57mm deep drop brakes so that I could eliminate ShimaNO from my bikes totally.
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: oxenholme on December 05, 2004, 07:10:12 am
Campagnolo is the best.    I'm quite happy with the carbon fibre, and I'm looking forward to the Compact chainsets.   I wish that they would bring out a larger cassette - 14-34 maybe, large flange hubs and indeed, deep drop dual pivot brakes.  

However, TA chainsets are excellent - the new Carmina is incredibly rigid and beautifully finished.   Stronglight continue to make the A9 headset and their chainsets are better than ever.   Hope and Royce make superb hubs.

I prefer solid European engineering to far eastern hype.
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: Si Davies on December 31, 2004, 07:52:04 pm
in my experience it's all much of a muchness for roadie stuff.  Obviously Shimano is better than Campag for MTB or touring, but there is other stuff as good as Shimano, if not better: SRAM, TA, FSA, etc etc.

However, given a straight choice for a light weight road bike I'd go for Campag, mainly because if and when the shifters give up the ghost the Campag ones are much easier to service, with STI it is often a case of a new unit.

But, the best groupset I've ever had is XTR!
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: coolboarder on February 17, 2005, 03:27:56 pm
I realise this topic has been going for ages but as a user of everything from crappy Benelux and Simplex in the 60's to sublime Campag Carbon Record 10 now, I've used the lot. At the end of the day you get what you pay for and there is nothing but personal preference between Campagnolo and Shimano if you take their relevant groupsets head to head. I presently use Campag Chorus on my touring bike and Record on my race bike with Shimano (what else) on my mountain bike. Previously I've used Shimano Dura-ace, Ultegra and 105. With Campagnolo it may be a bit more difficult to set up the gears to change sweetly but once you have, you are rewarded with quick, precise, crisp changes, although there are those who prefer the soft almost imperceptible changes associated with Shimano. This probably just means that Campagnolo is engineered to closer tolerances. I went for a short tour in the summer and realised that at the age of 54, despite the number of bikes and set-ups I've had over the years, I'd never actually used a touring bike fully equipped with campag before. I rode a Thorn Cyclosportif fitted with Chorus 10 and it was the most enjoyable, rewarding and trouble free ride I can remember. Lance may win Le Tour now on Shimano but before him, Campagnolo had won them all bar the odd incursion by Mavic. As the icing on the cake, Campagnolo equipment is finished like jewellery and the feel good factor over the more functional appearance of Shimano is palpable.

Finally, I may be a sad old git but I'm not so sad that I'll be thinking about buying spares 6 years after the components were last made. Anyone who is needs to get a life and a new bike! Talking of which, if I have time to write to forums like this, maybe I need a life to!!
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: n/a on November 11, 2005, 02:45:07 pm
Sram from Evans Cycles looks good.
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: ahconway on November 12, 2005, 07:37:48 am
I do like the SRAM offroad setups (I also have a 7-speed hub gear which gives me no end of trouble!), but I also saw the forthcoming road group recently, which should give Campy & Shimano a bit of competition for once!

Whatever became of Huret, Simplex, and Zeus, anyway?
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: hankamania on April 01, 2006, 07:02:29 pm
Dunno about Zeus, but both Huret and Simplex were absorbed by Sachs, which in turn was bought by SRAM.
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: hsps1 on April 01, 2006, 08:33:45 pm
Basically it all sort of works, one is cheaper and more available and if you want a performance bike you would not be thinking Thorn.
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: DJ Krew on May 12, 2006, 02:35:15 am
Shimano is better in my opinion. The dura ace hollow tech cranks and external bearings make it a lot stiffer and lighter than the campy. The gears shift smoother. You may be able to rebuild campy shifters, but good luck finding the parts. And if your an avid rider, you replace the shifters once a couple years anyway.Campy may have some parts lighter than Shimano, but I found that the Shimano dura ace drivetrain weighs less the the campy record. it also is alot cheaper
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: PH on May 12, 2006, 05:25:06 pm
quote:
Originally posted by DJ Krew


You may be able to rebuild campy shifters, but good luck finding the parts.



No luck required,a phone call to italian cycle products and you'll get the parts in the post next day.
http://www.italiancycleproducts.co.uk/
Title: Re: Shimano, Campagnolo or ?
Post by: coolboarder on May 12, 2006, 07:48:53 pm
I've subscribed to this topic before but at the last analysis there is nothing to choose between Campagnolo and Shimano so long as you compare groupsets like for like i.e. Record against Dura Ace. They're equally reliable and functional.It comes down to personal taste so forget the rest of the bull but there is one indefinable quality - heritage. Campagnolo has it, Shimano doesn't.