Campy v Shimano - An appreciation for 2015 Campagnolo Revolution

beeatnik · #1 02-12-2015, 02:30 PM

TL/WR : 2015 Campy is Badazz

I'm one of those guys who thinks he can feel a difference in shifting between Super Record 11 and Chorus 11. And when I test ride buddies' bikes, I get a kick out of perceiving differences in how their Campy groups feel or perform. Sure it may be subjective, but every SRAM or Shimano equipped bike, when in perfect adjustment (rare for SRAM, obv) just feels like any other SRAM or Shimano bike. That may be a testament to engineering or it may be an indictment of Italian manufacturing "tolerances." In any case, it increases my connoisseur IQ and I get to make statements such as, "Chorus 10 is the best shifting system I've ever ridden." I know many of you feel the same.

Well, last year I purchased (multiple times), every level of Shimano 11s. I thoroughly enjoyed them all (although 6800 may have had some issues). I wouldn't begin to argue the merits of DA v Record 11 and my favorite bike gots 5800 on it. To repeat a cliche, the stuff just works.

So, what's my point (of course, you're thinking that)? Well, a few years ago I experienced my greatest disappointment with Campagnolo 11s; I used it on an internally routed aero frame. Shifting was sticky and misshifts occurred every 4th or 5th shift. And I was always trying to guide the chain up. Multiple mechanics worked on adjustments but the conclusion was always the same, extra friction from the cable routing. I guess I could have picked up a set of $200 weight weenie cables, but I'm a cheap bastard. Bottom line, when I recently picked up a C59, I thought hard about going with Shimano. Of course, I couldn't bring myself to do that and went with the obvious, Super Record 11. I'm sure you know where this is going. Yep, internal routing, crap shifting (for me at least, remember I think Chorus 10 is the GREATEST OF ALL TIMES).

OK, sold the SR and took a flyer on 2015 Record 11 (REVOLUTION!). I'm very happy to report - in fact, nearly giddy - that the new 2015 "Revolution" 11s drivetrain is a game changer, especially for guys who were starting to look hard at Shimano. This is where I'll be brief and elaborate later (if you insist):

Front shifting is as fast and effortless as Shimano 11 but still feels quintessentially Campy. Every single time I shift, I expect the chain to still be in the small ring as I can't comprehend how it can shift with so little effort and so mindblowingly fast. No hyperbole. Best of all, it feels like Campagnolo; I like some (just some, not loads like SRAM) clunk in my system.

Rear shifting improvements are more subtle; however, and this is more than likely 99% perception, Revolution feels more like 9s and 10s than 11s, which in my mind is an improvement. Ya, Campy guys care about this stuff

I love the new designs of the FD and RD. I think Campy engineers may have been inspired by the spaceships in Independence Day (or District 11). Such an inspired mix of Italian craftsmanship and new technology. Kinda like Italian Super Car Design.

Finally, and you may have figured this out by now, the new stuff works on NEW frames (internal routing). Maybe I can pick up one of those goofy Cervelos now.

soulspinner · #2 02-12-2015, 02:40 PM

Interesting review.

thwart · #3 02-12-2015, 03:28 PM

gah.

Now you've got my curiosity piqued.

May have to try the new 11 spd stuff at some point.

But... not the cranks.

oldpotatoe · #4 02-12-2015, 03:36 PM

Yup, I futzed with Record 11s and a cervelo with the silly into the top of the top tube routing and I never could get it to work. That 90 degree turn in the middle of the down tube is completely dumm.

enr1co · #5 02-12-2015, 03:50 PM

Beeatnik- I'm liking your style

beeatnik · #6 02-12-2015, 04:02 PM

So Evil, So Nice

Waldo · #7 02-12-2015, 04:03 PM

A point of clarification: You just picked up a C59 and equipped it with 2015 Record and you call yourself a "cheap bastard?"

saab2000 · #8 02-12-2015, 04:06 PM

Speaking of internal cable routing..... I have two bikes with Shimano 9000. One has external routing. One has internal. The internal one doesn't shift as nicely as the external.

The internal one (Giant) has full-length internal cable sleeves. I wonder if they're just intended to be guides and then removed...... At some point I may re-cable it without the liners.

Thoughts?

Sorry about the tangent....

The 2015 Campagnolo stuff really does look nice. I've seen it in person and I like it. I'd love to ride it to see how evolved it is from my 2000s 10-speed stuff which has now all been converted to the new shape Centaur shifters, but is still 10-speed.

ultraman6970 · #9 02-12-2015, 04:38 PM

The only thing I can tell is... why took them so many years to make that arm longer in the FD? :/

saab2000 · #10 02-12-2015, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ultraman6970

The only thing I can tell is... why took them so many years to make that arm longer in the FD? :/

And I can't figure out why everyone thinks these long are front ders are the bee's knees. My normal ones shift great. And that's not me being a cranky old man. Seriously, they work great. Easy effort. Three clicks up and three down. No trimming needed either. Full range of the cassette when on the big ring with no rub.

My 9000 fronts work fine too, but not better than my Campagnolo front derailleurs.

Not being a curmudgeon, I just don't get the hype.

RedRider · #11 02-12-2015, 04:54 PM

Why no love for the new cranks?
We've been using the new Campy components )Super Record, Record and Chorus) for a few months and I think the crankset is one of the best improvements. You can swap chainrings from compact - mid - standard. That alone is worth the upgrade!

beeatnik · #12 02-12-2015, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saab2000

And I can't figure out why everyone thinks these long are front ders are the bee's knees. My normal ones shift great. And that's not me being a cranky old man. Seriously, they work great. Easy effort. Three clicks up and three down. No trimming needed either. Full range of the cassette when on the big ring with no rub.

My 9000 fronts work fine too, but not better than my Campagnolo front derailleurs.

Not being a curmudgeon, I just don't get the hype.

Have always felt that Campy front shifting is the Gold Standard. However, setting up an 11s FD where there's no rubbing requires some type of medieval alchemy. Don't know a single home wrench who can pull it off. For that reason, on a few bikes I've gone with 10s FD's to get a wider cage. Now, with the 2015 stuff, there's virtually no rubbing in any combination of gears. You can cross chain for days. The cage, I believe, is wider than 2009-2014.

brockd15 · #13 02-12-2015, 05:13 PM

Ha! Like vlad said above, these statements...

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