What groupset to use?

[mickeyc7]

Hi all,
I'm looking at a custom build and I'm debating which groupset to use.
I've used Campy and Shimano in the past and have been partial to Campy.
Which groupset would you choose if the choices were:

Campy Chorus
Sram Red
Shimano Dura Ace

Or, you may have other suggestions...feel free.
Thanks in advance for your input.

[Joachim]

It's been a while since we had a Campy vs Shimano vs SRAM thread. First of all, you should always ride clinchers. Tubulars are for retro grouches. Obviously SRAM since its lighter. Can't race on heavy stuff (or steel frames for that matter). When you break SRAM, you will get new ones, great customer service! Campy customer service sucks, you never break anything, so you won't get to use your warranty.





Actually, they all work just fine (tubulars and steel too).

[rnhood]

Dura Ace.

But you might be better off going with what has worked the best for you in the past. Like top shelf bicycles from different vendors, they are all reasonably good products now. Its mainly personal preference.....hence my recommendation for DA.

[denapista]

What is your goal with your build?

If going lightweight = SRAM RED
If going for super consistent shifting and smoothness = Dura Ace
If going for pure beauty and bike porn, with crisp shifting = Campy Chorus.

I've run all groups myself and I love the weight of SRAM Red, but it felt super cheap and plastic to me, once I rode something like Campy SR11. I kind of liked the notch, but got annoyed with it after a certain point. If SRAM could make it shift as smooth as DA, I would be sold! I've run SRAM on my last 2 bikes and yes I dropped the chain like most have. Nothing a K-Edge chain catcher can't fix though.

Shimano is butter smooth shifting and the group isn't the most desirable looking one out there, the hoods are bulky but comfy for large hands. The new 9000 DA group is pretty slick looking though. Campy has a little bit of both groups in my opinion. somewhat notchy shifting feel, but it's still refined to where you can say the shifts are smooth.

It all depends on what your goals are for the bike build. Pretty sure the differences between the various groups has been discussed in recent past.

[cyclemad]

I enjoy the double tap feature of SRAM and the fact that I am always going to the same lever for a shift. That being said, if speed is a factor in downshifting, I am not sure about the trade-offs between the benefit of the shorter throw of Shimano vs SRAM and the negative of having to reach a bit further to the Shimano brake lever to downshift. I happen to like the instinctiveness of always shifting on the same lever.

[MattTuck]

Shimano is butter smooth shifting and the group isn't the most desirable looking one out there, the hoods are bulky but comfy for large hands. The new 9000 DA group is pretty slick looking though. Campy has a little bit of both groups in my opinion. somewhat notchy shifting feel, but it's still refined to where you can say the shifts are smooth.


I've used Campy and Shimano in the past and have been partial to Campy.


I don't have any particular suggestion other than to try them all. The hoods are a big deal for me. I do not care much for my new ultegra hoods compared to the old ultegra hoods. They are too wide (for me).

Honestly, if I were building my bike over again, I'd put Chorus on it.

I think at the top level and one level down, you're going to be getting quality shifting with any brand. Then it just comes down to whether you like the feel of it.

[fiataccompli]

To me, the fact that Campy can be rebuilt rather simply and thus in a sense last forever is a factor to consider. I like and enjoy (& own) all of the above.

[FlashUNC]

Whichever one you like best.

[enr1co]

They're all good so it really comes down to personal feel and aesthetics, budget or a good buy opportunity.

Even if you've used Shimano or Campy in the past, its worth the time and effort to see if you can test drive any bikes with the current groups you are considering. You may also have opportunity to sample any E-shifting offerings to see if they may appeal to you.

The forum responses are informative and insightful but only after trying them out for youself will you be able to decide which works for you.

[Tony T]

Hi all,
I'm looking at a custom build and I'm debating which groupset to use.
I've used Campy and Shimano in the past and have been partial to Campy.


I'd get the Chorus group.

[Germany_chris]

How is this a question?

Campy wins hands down..

[Chance]

.......cut.........


Or, you may have other suggestions...feel free.
Thanks in advance for your input.

Shimano Ultegra.

Works as well as DuraAce for most part, and with the money you save you can afford to treat it as disposable. No need to hassle with rebuilding, just throw away and replace with new. And affordable replacement isn't limited to broken stuff damaged in a crash or worn parts after many years of service. For the same amount of cash you can replace it with new-and-improved more often even if it's just because you got tired of the color or whatever. Ultegra offers great value.

[RedRider]

The new Dura Ace 9000 is awesome. You will always be happy with Chorus. I was underwhelmed by the new Sram Red 22...

[veggieburger]

If you have other bikes, keep the groupset manufacturer the same. If your cross bike has 105, then get Dura Ace on your custom bike. Just makes things easy if you ever need to swap stuff around.

[CNY rider]

I think SRAM is junk.
Campy or the Big S, take your pick based on the hoods, aesthetics etc.

[binxnyrwarrsoul]

How is this a question?

Campy wins hands down..

Took the words right out of my mouth.

Campy Chorus.

[biker72]

I have Campy Athena 11 with Chorus shifters on my Ti Seven. Great combination.

[mike p]

It's all just personel preference except for SRAM which is junk.....kidding.
My preference
1. Dura Ace
2. Campy
3. Sram

Also depends on the kind of bike, what I'm going to use it for and how rich I am at the moment :-)

To me the very best deal on the planet is Ultegra hands down.

Mike

[lookout2015]

Shimano Ultegra.

Works as well as DuraAce for most part, and with the money you save you can afford to treat it as disposable. No need to hassle with rebuilding, just throw away and replace with new. And affordable replacement isn't limited to broken stuff damaged in a crash or worn parts after many years of service. For the same amount of cash you can replace it with new-and-improved more often even if it's just because you got tired of the color or whatever. Ultegra offers great value.

I agree. Ultegra seems like the "sweet spot" in price/performance for most purposes

[oldpotatoe]

Hi all,
I'm looking at a custom build and I'm debating which groupset to use.
I've used Campy and Shimano in the past and have been partial to Campy.
Which groupset would you choose if the choices were:

Campy Chorus
Sram Red
Shimano Dura Ace

Or, you may have other suggestions...feel free.
Thanks in advance for your input.

1)Chorus(or Record, same $ as DA)
2)DA(or 6800-really nice also)

















3)red or force or rival, including '22'.

[oldpotatoe]

I think SRAM is junk.
Campy or the Big S, take your pick based on the hoods, aesthetics etc.

Badda BOOM!!

Remember if ya got shimano 10s wheels..no go with shimano 11s or sram 11s.

Some do, Fulcrum, Campag(HG body), Mavic...

[PQJ]

There can be only one: Campagnolo. All others are crap or pretenders.

[#campyuserftw]

Campy Chorus. Search your feelings, you know it to be true:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uox6Kw6504Q

:)

[bking]

I've got lots of campy and sram. i've had dura ace but it's been some time. i picked up a caad 10 to keep in an out of state office of mine, used sram red but had to go with the new ultegra brakes. wow. really impressed with those.

[jtakeda]

Get whichever hood shape fits your hands best.

But campy is the obvious answer.

[siegfried08]

Campy shifters, SRAM everything else. Best of every world. Although no one ever believes me (outside Zinn (http://velonews.competitor.com/2008/03/bikes-and-tech/can-you-run-campy-shifters-with-a-sram-drivetrain-sure-why-not_73404)), 10 speed shifts like butter.

[choke]

There's a company other than Campagnolo which makes bike parts? :confused: :confused:

[merlincustom1]

No one but you can answer that question.

[soulspinner]

One speaks to you . Buy it ride it. :cool:

[terry]

I can't believe you're even considering something other than Campy.......

[19wisconsin64]

Hi, You mentioned that you have tried both, and prefer Campagnolo, so I'd say if you are going for the custom build, go all the way!

That being said....I have no idea how extremely expensive those parts are now!

Enjoy your new ride, post photos when done

[KidWok]

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c151/TaiLee77/FSRAMPAGMANOVIC.jpg

Mix it up?:hello:

Tai

[slidey]

+1

no one but you can answer that question.

[sg8357]

My favorites in order.

1. Simplex
2. Suntour
3. Cyclo-Benelux
4. Sturmey Archer

If you can afford D/A, only a few months more saving would get
you a fine Simplex build.

[Pete Mckeon]

campy shimano or sram if they get your smile and lust ticking:)