CyclingTips - Latest Comments in Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM – FIGHT!

Re: Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM – FIGHT!

dob90210 — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:35:13 -0000

      I've raced and trained on both Shimano and Campagnolo for years. I by far prefer Campagnolo, it has a better feel, the ergonomics and the actual shifting, so it works better with the rider (for me). I also find Campagnolo a lot more solidly built than Shimano. Disclaimer: I'm only talking about the higher quality components here (Ultegra, Dura-Ace, Chorus, Record).
      I ride and race Campagnolo 10 speed Record. I have not tried the 11 speed but I don't really want to. 10 was plenty.
      It partially has to do with the mentality of Japanese Shimano and Italian Campagnolo. Go to Japan, see how they drive their cars, then do the same in Italy and you will understand.
      I have not not ridden SRAM and I intend not to. If their chains and cassettes are poor, why would I trust the rest of their groupsets for a long life?
      INNOVATION - most people don't understand what is the value of innovation! An 'update', a 'new model', 'carbon', '5% stiffer' does NOT automatically mean it is better overall. 'Innovation' can make things worse, sometimes. For example. look at car companies that bring out a new model every 3 years where other car companies only do it every 5 years or more. The companies that change models less, I find, are better. I'll let you figure out who they are and make your own opinion.

Re: Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM – FIGHT!

Dashingblade — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:28:05 -0000

I'm 6'3", and weigh in at 80kgs still... Campy riders fat? Lol, Record=First, D-Ace & Chorus=Joint second... Cost really depends on depreciation too, and Shimano depreciates faster & further, compared with Campagnolo. That's a fact... ;-)

Re: Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM – FIGHT!

Dashingblade — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:20:29 -0000

Being old enough to have made the switch out of the drops, I have to equip flat bars with non Campy, whatever my ride. That doesn't disappoint me, since Campagnolo really is all about racing. BTW, I have Italian, French & classic English steel road bikes, and an XTR/XT equipped hardtail MTB.. I have to say this is a great reply, amongst many though. Going to my 2c's worth.. I only have a friend's new Roubaix with Zertzs insert Spesh, equipped with SRAM Red as a reference to that manufacturer, and he is very happy with it... early days though, as it's only light use & about 1000kms so far. Apparently good value.

My experiences with Shimano are long and varied, which is partly because they try to do everything for everyone. (I build & service family bikes too). A large part of French part manufacturing was swallowed by Shimano incidentally, which is what I have on my Bertin Course (Columbus SL) , as Bertin equipped w. Shimano duraAce originally.. Shimano Dura-Ace hubs just don't last like C.Record, and neither do their derailleurs, front or rear. Their 105 & upwards brake calipers are all good. The Ultegra & upwards shifters aren't very serviceable or that durable. Cranks, BB's & cassettes all efficient & effective, if not as durable as Campy..

Campagnolo Gruppo (Record).. Is on my 1990 steel Paul Donohue frame, and is beginning to wear out, after 20 years great service... which says everything. It only needs a chainring & rear derailleur really! It now has flat bars & I have married odd Shimano shifters & SRAM 2 axis brake levers, just this last few days. The shifting isn't quite comparable with drop bar brake/shift combos, obviously. Its still on Campy original chainrings, and only the second cassette in that lifetime. As for chains, well, I replace them regularly, after i feel they have stretched too much, and have used all brands here... Shimano XT/ultegra are my favorite chains. Sod the titanium chain parts nonsense, its not strong enough. I also have a 60's Nervex pro lugged cyclo-cross bike, which actually still has 60's Sachs derailleur & Sachs friction+click stem mounted shifter, both working fine still, with a few new jockey wheels, no doubt, but still, amazing.

Overall, I think the most important point has only been mentioned once, by Gene. Campagnolo parts really are more durable, and so have a very healthy second hand value. Unless you are a sponsored racer, Campagnolo really makes sense, because you are likely to get 1/3-1/2 of your investment back, if/when you decide to replace/upgrade the gruppo. They also have generally better looks that the competition.

Car comparisons are meaningless, IMO, the Apple following has a lot more in common... Better design & great resale values sums up Campagnolo, and the emotional content is similar too...(As I write this from a Mac powerbook, lol)

Re: Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM – FIGHT!

Hoss — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 03:14:27 -0000

Campagnolo is simply QUALITY. It doesn't matter who engineered the first groupset, what matters is the quality of the merchandise we buy. Do we really care if it was the Brits or the Germans who first developed the jet engine? All we care about is whether that great mass of metal hanging off the wings is RELIABLE and of high QUALITY and can be REPAIRED easily when something does go wrong. It seems that the key words here are RELIABILITY, QUALITY AND REPAIRABILITY - Campagnolo ticks all three boxes, unfortunately the other do not! By the way, I ride both Campag and Shimano, can't fault the durace-ace on my TT bike... but you can't and don't shift on a TT Tri bike while standing up - On my road bike I can with Campagnolo though.

Re: Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM – FIGHT!

Felt F3 — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:25:58 -0000

Arrghhh, the memories of Superbe Pro - I bought this is 1985 as I couldn't afford Dura-Ace at the time and loved it.

Re: Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM – FIGHT!

Dwgrumpy — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:00:12 -0000

Campy good: thumb shifters....you can up-shift all the way if you want to, not one at a time, no confusing up and down shift lever pressue ( like SRAM), and brake levers stay in one place (take that, Simano).

Re: Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM – FIGHT!

Dwgrumpy — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 10:51:42 -0000

Shimano didn't win anything, racers paid to ride Shimano won, and those guys would have won on Campy or SRAM too. Oh, and it was actually Suntour that invented indexed shifting. Anyway who cares what anybody else rides? Ride what you like! I am a bike mech, and I ride Campy, 'cause if you wear out a $5 shifter part you can replace the $5 part, but if you wear out a $5 part in your Shimano shifter, it'll cost you a new shifter.

Re: Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM – FIGHT!

Cole Robertson — Sun, 22 May 2011 13:42:13 -0000

It provides "smother" shifting, and because there are weight limits in races (usually your bike must be over 15lb or you have to add weights to your seat), and because their bikes are 13-14.5lb, they than have to add weight to their bike any way so it is than worth while to get the benefits of a good electronic shifting platform like Shimano's Di2. It has faster, smother and more precise shifting and wont compromise your weight because there already under the limit. These systems, altho publicly available are usually only used in big races with big names that have strong sponsors.

Re: Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM – FIGHT!

Velocrow — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 15:11:57 -0000

I've owned Shimano and SRAM with most of my time on Shimano 7800, 6700, and 7900. 7800 is by far the best except for the 6700/7900 crank which is a beast of a piece of engineering. I have not had to replace my chainrings yet though ($$$). I did not like the feel of SRAM. Sure, it works but it is so violent compared to the soft shifting of Shimano. That said, my 7900 and less so the 6700 is quite vague sometimes. Did it shift? Is it going to shift the next time I stand to sprint or push over this roller? I find myself shifting back and forth sometimes just to be sure it is solidly in gear. Mind you, this did not really happen with 7800. I'm not terribly impressed with 6700 or 7900. I like 7800 more. (I tucked away my full 7800 group for archival/retro purposes.)

I KNOW that I am splitting hairs because ALL of these groups are really nice...the best offering from each company. Any of them are tops and work. If you are having to decide between 7900, Di2, Red, or Super Record 11, you are blessed to be in such a predicament!

My next bike will have a Campy drivetrain. I felt the hoods and it was love at first touch. I appreciate the heritage and the fact that not everyone on the ride will have it. Not to be all bling-bling, but I appreciate the craftsmanship that reparability. Is it all about being practical and utilitarian? Heck no. It is sometimes about what speaks to you and nothing more.

Re: Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM – FIGHT!

direktor — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 22:21:14 -0000

wow... great read!

I'm in the market for a new bike, currently got a deposit down on a Cannondale CAAD 3 with Ultegra - thought I'd read up a bit more on SRAM, which is still pretty new to me having been out of the game for around 12-years now.

Here's what I've taken out of reading each and every post, and clicking on links provided.

CAMPAGNOLO
Great
Expensive
Looks Good

SHIMANO
Works well - reliable
Middle of the road pricing
Aesthetically challenged

SRAM
New kid on the block
Great value for money
Reliability issues.

I'll stick with Shimano, as it's a balance of value for money and reliability. There the main priorities for me, I simply want the best performance I can afford, and reliability is a huge part of performance. Aesthetics are just icing on the cake.

Re: Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM – FIGHT!

junkcheck — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 13:40:04 -0000

so much humanistic hogwash posted here. i guess its all about the vibe not the ride anymore

Re: Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM – FIGHT!

Valderama_reggie — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 07:46:30 -0000

in my own experience...steffo is right....SRAM RED is great except chain and cassettes....use duraace chain and cassettes for your sram red and you feel better.

Re: Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM – FIGHT!

CL — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:57:39 -0000

Campy.

I rode Shimano DuraAce 8 and 9 for 10 years before moving to Campy 10 in 2005 and soon 11 (waiting on Super Record shifters in the mail and we're complete).

Campy never feels sluggish. The shift throw is perfect and it is a solid mechanical piece of equipment.

Batteries for your shifters? This is a bicycle, not an electric moped. Whats the next gimmick, assisted Shimano peddling or Record 12 speed ;) Quite frankly I'm amazed anyone looked further then Mavics original attempts.

What happens when the batteries run out, fail or there's some other unforeseen technical issue? I can wrench on a bike. I have no interest in rewiring one.

I'm sure the non Di2 DuraAce is decent but I prefer Campagnolo. The gearing ratio of the 11 speed is near perfection for my location. The group is aesthetically pleasing and matches my black all carbon builds and I respect the history of the brand, the pride of Italian craftsmanship and the emotion it inspires in cycling fans and non-cycling folk alike.

I'm sure Di2 will relate to the tech geek but Japan is not the first country I think of when it comes to cycling and I prefer to stick with a company that's entire focus is road bicycle components and not mountain bike and fishing parts when it comes to my road rig.

Now, for my Mountain bike, its XTR or I'd rather not ride and I do ride 2008 XTR. No offense SRAM, I live in Chicago only blocks away from your facility but I feel it's still sort of a clumsy group. You're almost there....... but not quite yet given your competition.

Cheers.

Re: Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM – FIGHT!

Graham — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 18:32:30 -0000

can't you just swap hub bodies?

Re: Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM – FIGHT!

Bfita — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 01:43:19 -0000

understand your concern and as there are no bomb proof components very unlikely that you will have a faulty campy part unless you dump the bike other then that it's like owning a ferrari expensive to buy but you get what you pay for.

Re: Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM – FIGHT!

Lrpommery — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 07:08:04 -0000

i have custom 2 titanium bikes one with Dura Ace and one with Campag chorus so bikes identical except for the componentry (have Campag G3 type, Eurus, wheels on both for strength having cracked a few others). I find both very easy to use and would be happy with either. If I were to choose overall i find the campag more comfortable, like the 11 speed, prefer the shifting and (once worn in and set) find it needs very little fine tuning. With the shimano set up I find it needs more ongoing attention. The titanium & campag combination (including wheels) performs extremely well for large guys (190cm & 96kg) and i will stick with it from now.

Re: Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM – FIGHT!

Charlie — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 11:03:24 -0000

I think people need to realise that the shifters don't make the bike, it's all personal preference. Some people prefer the compactness and pure aesthetic values of Campy, the innovation of SRAM's Double Tap system, or playing safe with some decent Shimano stuff, which is all tried and tested, and very solid.

But that doesn't make you ride faster! It's stupid why you need to argue over gear changing, if you want to be a faster rider, get a light frame and lose some pounds! If you're getting beaten by someone all the time (we've all been there) then buying a £2000 groupset isn't going to make you any faster, he's still going to whoop you!

And if you do have enough disposable income lying around then go for you life, because all of them run fantastically. Right now I'm running some old Campag Daytona stuff, and it runs beautifully, and I don't think if I bought some fancy Dura-Ace stuff it would make me any faster, I'm still going to get my butt kicked!

Re: Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM – FIGHT!

McWheel — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 22:32:13 -0000

I don't get what the point of electronic shifting is. At some point it becomes a robot and not a bike.

Re: Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM – FIGHT!

Steve_Di2 — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 10:24:48 -0000

Been riding/racing 20 years.

Only ever a Shimano user so I can't compare Campy/Sram to Shimano, but I've progressed from 105 downtube levers, Ultegra 600, DuraAce 7700, and now using Di2, (I missed 7800).

I could never go back to cable shifting.

Once you've ridden it, you'll understand. Shimano completely changed the rule book with this stuff.

The only comparisons left for are who's eletronic shifters are best? There is currently no fight, no comparisons to be made,

Re: Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM – FIGHT!

Rob Sarahs — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:49:34 -0000

I think I had the first index shifters,it was on my "Peugeot Comete sprint" and that was back in 1988/89 not the STI levers but the down tube ones,,,they were by shimano.

I'm just getting back on my bike after a long time,so I'm looking at getting a new groupset,always rode shimano but thinking about sram,,can someone explain this double tap thing please,,,sorry if its obvios but thought i would ask.

Re: Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM – FIGHT!

Spamma — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:36:01 -0000

I am that old guy! I just turned 47 and I bought a Lynskey R230 Ti frame with an Edge Composites 2.0 fork and a Campy Chorus drivetrain. Super smooth and flawless gearing. What more could an old guy like me want?

I also have a mix of Shimano 105 & Ultegra on my cyclocross bike and it works very well too. I've never ridden SRAM but I know the stuff must work reasonably well...I think there are seven SRAM teams in Le Tour this year.

I'm sure all three groupos work very well and most of this sectarianism seems a little silly to me.

Re: Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM – FIGHT!

Bigring55 — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:00:02 -0000

Listen, enjoy your equipment. Shimano makes great stuff. But please try and have something intelligent to say the next time you post.

Re: Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM – FIGHT!

KG2 — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:05:48 -0000

you Campy guys are all huge dorks and i'll bet most of your bellies touch your top tube even with your $290 Italian bib shorts on.

j/k

DA lite works great for me...I couldn't possibly justify spending any more money on a gruppo. Oh btw, it's on an Italian bike too. That's gotta hurt some feelings out there.

Re: Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM – FIGHT!

Giuseppe — Tue, 04 May 2010 17:16:05 -0000

Yes, an older thread...but this is a debate that will go on forever, so I figure I'll chime in. I actually found this thread since I am currently building a new racing bike (stock Shimano), but having it refitted with all Campy Record.

Have not ridden SRAM, but have used Ultegra and Centaur. Currently use Campy Centaur. Beyond the personal aesthetics of Campagnolo, the Campy hoods simply fit my hands better, and I actually like the thumb shifter on Campy, which is a well-thought out, large platform (in contrast to the little nub on Sora). The thumb shifter serves me well during a break or sprint, allowing me to shift easily from the drops or throw down when I'm out of the saddle.

As has been stated, the ability to move through multiple cogs at once is a trait I like about Campy.

I know some feel that Campy is clunky in its shifting (whereas Shimano...and I guess SRAM...has a silky, smooth feeling); for me, the positive 'clunk' emphasizes the shift...I think of it as the Campy groupset talking to me and saying 'Attack'!!! You definitely know when you shift--you can hear it, and you can feel a slight 'something' from the rear; this is not to be interpreted, however, as sluggish or inadequate shifting. Campy shifts consistently and precisely (as did my Ultegra), but with a more responsive, positive feel (personal viewpoint).

Yes, the aftermarket for US-based Campy is more difficult. Cassettes, chains, cables...just about every component is at a higher pricepoint for Campy, compared to similar level Shimano or SRAM. I actually have both Shimano (true TT bike) and Campy (road bike); for me, though, there really isn't a wheel issue, since I run 66mm deep-dish on the TT (which would not really be useful for the road bike; though I have once lamented this wheel incompatibility for a technical TT course where I used my road bike).

Overall, I'm happy with Campy and don't foresee me switching back to Shimano (or having any real reason to try SRAM). The hood shape of Campy (though current Shimano is similar), the thumb shifter, the positive shifting, the multiple cog-shifts, the aesthetics all have me in the Campy camp. The only negative is the wheel incompatibility issues...but then again, a broad Campy wheelmarket exists in the US, and it really isn't difficult to find Campy wheels (though it can be financially distressing to have to buy sets specific to each group setup).

Re: Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM – FIGHT!

Chris — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 00:02:11 -0000

The biggest campy innovation has been adding and extra gear? I thought Campy was responsible for inventing the modern rear derailleur?