Advice – Shimano Ultegra 6800 Groupset vs Campagnolo Athena Carbon Groupset

You don’t lose much with
You don’t lose much with power shift in all honesty, getting the whole set from Comtat or Ribble is the cheapest way to go generally so I’d just live with Athena levers.

sorebones wrote:
Take the

sorebones wrote:

Take the current weather conditions for example – with thick winter gloves Shimano is still so easy to use as upshifts do not require any precision to find the ‘paddle’ behind the brake lever.

So it’s just the downshifts that suffer instead while you’re looking for Shimano’s paddle behind the brake lever. Personally, I prefer it that way around because it’s usually a harder gear I want to shift to in a hurry – I tend to be slowing down when I look for an easier one so I’ve got more time. As for the moving brake levers, I never felt unsafe or insecure about the fact they move sideways, I just didn’t like it. Neither do Shimano if their Di2 shifters are anything to go by.

You don’t miss the thumb
You don’t miss the thumb button at all? Mo can’t believe I’ve never ridden a shimano equipped bike, need to demo one.

Miles253 wrote:@sorebones

Miles253 wrote:

@sorebones Having used both, do you find that campagnolo is worth that bit more cash? And also do you find the feel of the leavers massively different?

Honestly – no. Campag and Athena in particular I would not pay more for, due to the power shift function as opposed to ultrashift (moving more gears at once). The cost of replacement parts such as cassettes and chainrings is significantly higher for campy (typically nearly twice as much for a chorus cassette v Ultegra 11 speed.

Lever feel is the most noticeable difference between campag and shimano. I liked Campag levers, the curve towards the top of the hoods is a natural shape for my hands, very comfortable.

By contrast, recent shimano hoods felt very unnatural to me, to bulky and frankly not very easy on the eye. The new Ultegra and Dura Ace hoods are very good indeed though, the body has slimmed down and although perhaps still not as pretty as Campag, they feel great in the hand and its easy to find a comfortable grip in several positions. Shimano levers are a doddle to adjust for reach as well, just a turn of a screw if you peel back the front of the hoods and the levers can be brought inwards for a perfect fit.

I will admit I have been converted to Shimano. I was a sceptic about the brake and gear lever being one unit, but I now find it so much easier and faster to use. Take the current weather conditions for example – with thick winter gloves Shimano is still so easy to use as upshifts do not require any precision to find the ‘paddle’ behind the brake lever.

All personal opinion of course, but in my experience I would not select Athena over Ultegra, the Shimano has cheaper drivetrain parts and is faster shifting. I couldn’t say it is prettier though, more ‘functional’ looking, less flair than Campag perhaps!

True, in my mind Shimano
True, in my mind Shimano looks crap on anything other than a chunky frame, looks heavy and leaden on elegant slim (e.g tubular) frames

sorebones wrote:ajmarshal1

sorebones wrote:

ajmarshal1 wrote:

DanTe wrote:

Campag costs more. On Merlin Cycles site for instance the third tier Chorus crankset is the same price as a Dura Ace.

That’s because Chorus is easily on a par with Dura Ace. It may be Campagnolo’s third tier but it’s not industry standard third tier.

That’s hilarious, and utter nonsense!

My last 3 bikes have had Campag Chorus, Campag Super Record and Shimano Ultegra 6800, so I am in a reasonable position to judge. All three are excellent groupsets of course, these days there are no bad groupsets once you reach 105 or Veloce. What you get as you go up the rankings is lighter weight and crisper shifting.

Chorus is great – looks terrific and functions well. However, having ridden both, I would take Ultegra 6800 every time. The shifts are much lighter and feel more precise, really minimal effort. The front mech is a joy to use, again lighter than Chorus, and with 2 trim positions it always runs quietly across the gears.

I laugh at the notion that somehow you are going to brake at the same time as shifting if you use Shimano – you get use to the difference in lever action in a ride or two. What you won’t miss is the thumb shifting button on Campag levers, personally I found it felt awkward having changed to Shimano, but that’s personal preference of course.

You cannot state that one groupset is better than another, it’s all subjective. Ultegra 6800 is extraordinarily good though, and great value for money.

Opinions are like….. You get it.

I’m also in a position to judge having ridden most of them. (I haven’t ridden SR though)

I personally believe Ultegra is far inferior to Chorus and I’ve also ridden and owned both. I also disagree that Ultegra shifts crisper than 105, I defy anyone to tell the difference between Ultegra and 105 in a blind test if they’re both set up correctly. I now have one Shimano bike and it runs 105, the Ultegra got sold with my TCR.

But as you said, it’s all subjective and ride what you like. The key is to try them and see.

And then choose Campy.

@sorebones Having used both,
@sorebones Having used both, do you find that campagnolo is worth that bit more cash? And also do you find the feel of the leavers massively different?