Shimano vs. campagnolo

Shimano is like driving a Honda Civic. Great quality and it will go on and on but when has anyone felt passionate about a Honda Civic? Campag is a Maserati: yes it'll probably go wrong at some point but it's fantastic until it does.
A simple choice between reliable conformity or soul....

There is only one answer to this question.

SRAM.

my heart says Campy while my brain says Shimano - but cycling is all about the heart.

ps bit unfair pitching Athena (3 or 4th on the rung) against DA (top of shimano;s GS's)

But is there such a thing as a wrong opinion?

Well as much as I prefer SRAM, I've hardly had any of their parts of the years.

The is no wrong opinion though. Its like whether you drink tea or coffee. Nothing wrong with either, people like different things. With all being are the same kinda cost these days, its up to personal preferences

Who cares, as long as helmets are made a legal requirement?

Campag have a nicer looking logo. (An important distinction when considering a tattoo).

I've been told that Campy lasts longer because it is better made. However, that doesn't sound much of an advantage if it's more likely to go wrong.

Its an age old debateand I'm probably not adding much here, but..

Its 2013 and I'm still riding on 2009 veloce. Approx 2500 miles pa. One bb replacement so far. i have on several occasions borrowed the girlfriends 105 equipped bike, where shifting is clunky in comparison, campag much more about feel, is lighter, way more comfortable on the hoods and slightly cheaper

Both need about the same amount of maintenance (10s) and appear to have the same reliability

Know which id rather have

Campag all the way!

Point taken about cost and weight at the higher end, I was specifically referring to the veloce v 105 comparison and my experience with them. I haven't ridden anything else so can't really comment..

CAMPAG! the rest are just making up the numbers. and no dont disagree with me. just accept im right.

campag campag campag etc

I despise the throwaway anature of shimano. Its so wrong especially in sport that likes to spout its green credentials.
Stripping Ergos is easy, STi, not a hope.Still using my 8 speed Record ergos. without any maintainence since I bought them used in '91. On my CX bike.

Russyparkin (Yogi)
You are soooooo wrong it has to be Shimano, there is a reason most of the pro teams run it!
It's reliable, quality shifting, need less maintenance than sram and Campag which are both chaf and nasty!!!

That's true enough, but there's bugger all difference, really, between the big three. Go with what you like.

Shimano has trickled down the more ergonomic style of shifter to Claris (which is 3 levels below 105) and yet even Super Record EPS still has thumb shifters. Does anyone actually prefer that?

yes, I do .... much nicer feel ... but that's my opinion

I never liked the fact that the Shimano brake lever moves laterally. I understand that is not the case with Di2. But I'll have to get over the mental hurdle of plugging a push bike into the mains first before I can try that.

I wasn't planning on a tattoo anyway but I do get a pang of regret that I can't wear a cap or t-shirt with a Campag logo on it without feeling like a fraud. The Shimano version really doesn't compare. Oooh, but thanks to Mr Google, I've just found one that SAYS "Shimano" but in "Campag" style script. How about that for geek chic! #Iwantone

I'm running Shimano Ultegra 6800 this year, and I have to say I am mighty impressed by it.

The teams equipment selection choice was hilarious this year... do we use Dura Ace or Ultegra Di2. Most riders were happy with either, and accordingly, if people didn't mind Ultegra Di2 then they'll be fine with mechanical Ultegra... Darn it!

Right though, its good stuff.

The 11speed shimano is so much better than the previous 10speed systems and for me has put Shimano back on top.

Looking at Crank designs, calliper designs and front mech designs they are ahead of Campagnolo offerings.

SRAM's brake calipers are really good as well... where as Campagnolo calipers are simply the same design as they were using 10 years ago.

Campagnolo's lever designs are the most comfy, although I quite ironically find their shifting a bit plastic these days... Campagnolo are definitely third here IMO.

Campagnolo have updated their front mech design to bring it in line with Shimano... which they had to do as Shimano's shift is/was so much better than Campagnolos. This leaves SRAM trailing.

What have Campagnolo done with the rear mech? At least they are trying, no one else has developed anything new for a while now.

Not sure about the new Campagolo 4 arm cranks... I think they are ugly. To me it looks like they are acknowledging that Shimano have got it right, but by forcing the use of carbon into the cranks, it makes for a pretty industrial and not at all pretty crank. Which I hope they change before hitting the shops.

Their previous/current cranks are beautiful to look at but hardly the most hard wearing (bearings) or indeed stiff. Again, Shimano has been leading here.

Objectively speaking, if day to day performance is your bag, then Shimano 6800 is the privateers choice (IMO)... if you re looking for something that will last well (although I have no qualms about the Shimano 6800's longevity), is beautiful to look at and feels lovely to use, then Campagnolo Chorus is a great bet... A bit more cash, but lighter.

If you are simply looking for the least weight, then go for Force... although in my experience it is the least well put together of the three...

If money was not a factor, my emotional choice would be Campagnolo EPS Super Record.

Shimano is better, because it's on my bike right now, thus I can use it right now.

Other than that, who cares, it's a sodding lever.

can't stand the shape of Shimano levers, as for SRAM, over priced cheese!

that leaves Campag.

SRAM does have the repuation ( on road kit) of wearing out, I know a few people who will never use it again, I have no experience myself though.

Campag do actually make extensive spares available, the few that Shimano do are usually virtually unobtainable. I see the tears regularly with broken Shimano shifters, if it's not the blade or cable, it goes in the bin.

If you are in the game for the long haul and you do your own repairs, it's Campag all the way.

All 3, of course, work very well, in their own different ways. Ergopower isn't going to lose the thumb button, as it's part of their ergo concept that separates the motor functions of your hand .....if they ditched that, it's a bit embarrassing !

Dura Ace is a Skyline, Record is a Ferrari, very similar, but even though one is higher maintenance.....there are still more on the road than have been scrapped.

A look at one bike here, Record hubs....circa 1988, Record Gruppo, circa 1993, Athena chainset, circa 99, I have lots of old campag hubs from the 60's and 70's, still going strong and lots of shops still have parts on the shelf.

In my own opinion, the kit that got closest to campag for quality was sun tour, they're long gone now though, the brand being owned by someone else churning out cheap rubbish.