Retrogrouch in Carbonland: How sexy is high-end Campagnolo?

[Avincent52]

Today, the post man brought a boxful of Italian sex.
Or more accurately, the Campagnolo Chorus/Record 11-speed parts for the Tarmac arrived. (Thanks Aaron- who sold me the gear, all Chorus, with Record 11 levers and front derailleur, and took these lovely pics.)
I'm used to handling the high art that is old Super Record.
But I'm pleasantly surprised at current gen Campy, and just how damned, well, sexy these parts are.

There's enough anodized aluminum to reminds us of Tulllio's legacy. But the carbon is so carbony. There's a feeling of precision about everything--but you get that in Dura-Ace, Ultegra, too.
Form follows function, sure, but why can't it be gorgeous.

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x327/adhumston/cycling%20for%20sale/IMG_5850.jpg

I do have to say that I think the good people at Campy had a little too much lambrusco before they designed the latest gen cranksets. I think that the ugly tree fell on the new Dura Ace/Ultegra cranks, and the Campy is less hideous only by comparison.

I'm very glad I got a '14 model year Chorus crank.

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x327/adhumston/cycling%20for%20sale/27039e02-4e69-4df6-8f7c-49e0770e5b24.jpg

One other point: Why wouldn't you go Campagnolo? I can understand that racers and manufacturers have economic incentives to ride Shimano or SRAM or whatever, but if you're spending decent money on a bike for your own personal use, why not go Campy? There's not a huge price difference, and if you're willing to shop second hand, you can--as I did--have lightly used high-end Campy for the same price as brand new mid-level Shimano, as long as you're okay with letting someone else throw out the boxes.

Okay, enough. I'm off to handle my new levers. Do. Not. Disturb.

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x327/adhumston/cycling%20for%20sale/60a03696-95d0-493a-b980-2b27f0328faf.jpg

[AngryScientist]

hey Avincent - where do you live anyway? did you mention NJ?

[Avincent52]

I live in beautiful Montclair NJ and, yes, I imagine I did mention New Jersey somewhere.
Whereabouts in NJ are you, fine sir?
I see from your blog you like riding at the top of Eagle Rock.

[FlashUNC]

I'm still of the mind the most beautiful thing they've ever produced is the Super Record 11 speed RD.

Its simply perfection in my eyes.

[Avincent52]

That SR is truly beautiful.
But personally, I love the combination of carbon and anodized on the Chorus.
I also like the price better, too.

There is also this.

http://velobase.com/CompImages/RDerailleur/8EA34642-A73A-4C4D-8C5D-455240CD3BD4.jpeg

[shovelhd]

Very.

[Avincent52]

And then there's this...

http://www.bicycling.com/sites/bicycling.com/files/styles/slideshow-desktop/public/slides/Campagnolo-Super-Record-crankset_0.jpg

[Avincent52]

Or this.

http://www.lesliewong.us/images/1202/record.jpg

[slinkywizard]

I do have to say that I think the good people at Campy had a little too much lambrusco before they designed the latest gen cranksets. I think that the ugly tree fell on the new Dura Ace/Ultegra cranks, and the Campy is less hideous only by comparison.

I'm very glad I got a '14 model year Chorus crank.

Yes, the '15 cranks are absoluterly hideous! I prefer the previous design by far...

[beeatnik]

The 2009 Chorus 11s RD is lovely (as are the Record 10/Chorus 10/Centaur 10 carbon/alloy RDs). However, IMO, it won't look quite right on the Tarmac. I sometimes rock a little polished alloy on my CAAD10 and it always seems to clash...

[Avincent52]

I see your point, I guess, beetnik.

The only reasonable response is to start a Kickstarter campaign to buy me an new carbon fiber derailleur cage...or a trip to Tuscany where people will mock my clashing ride but I won't be able to understand them.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc65/dhdsman/IMG_2202.jpg

[witcombusa]

Both of the above pictured Campy RD shifted more poorly the what was available from "other" sources at the time.
I just love the Campy diehard's....
Were they well made? Yes. Did the look good? Some did. Did they shift well? Unfair question!

[thirdgenbird]

I don't mind the silver bits. Silver hubs and spokes help.

[beeatnik]

Avicent52, I like your style.

Brakes, hubs, spokes complement the RD.

[beeatnik]

Both of the above pictured Campy RD shifted more poorly the what was available from "other" sources at the time.
I just love the Campy diehard's....
Were they well made? Yes. Did the look good? Some did. Did they shift well? Unfair question!

Everything shifted poorly then.

[Avincent52]

Shifting is for weaklings.

http://images.cyclingtips.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/CORVOS_00004668-001.jpg

[Avincent52]

Thirdgen/Beetnik

Thanks for the compliment, but that's not my bike. (My frame is still in transit)
It's a photo I found on the web.
Same frame, same gruppo.

Debating the cockpit.
I'll probably end up with Zonda wheels. which have a bright portion on the rims, like in the pic.
I'm debating about how much it will be murdered out.

Imagine the bike below, but with Campy, and maybe gumwalls.

http://ridewithgps.com/photos/full/3788.jpg

[fuzzalow]

Both of the above pictured Campy RD shifted more poorly the what was available from "other" sources at the time.
I just love the Campy diehard's....
Were they well made? Yes. Did the look good? Some did. Did they shift well? Unfair question!

I am a Campagnolo-only user but I am not apostolic about it.

Yes, the old Campy changers did not shift as well as the slant parallelogram Sun Tour/Shimano of the same era. But so what? Neither of our abilities to put bread on our tables was impacted by the languid response of a Campy changer then anymore than it is now. Even this was easily solved back then by the overshift-and-back movement in conducting the downshift - all second nature to any Campagnolo rider.

I shift old Campagnolo with great fondness and nostalgia now. I often wonder if this is similar to the charm of shifting a gated manual shift lever in an old spyder Ferrari. Dunno, I'll never get to drive a vintage Ferrari but riding a classic Cinelli with Nouvo Record will feel the same sunshine and wind on my face.

Thing get better over time in cycling gear which is a good thing as my capacities are headed in the opposite direction!

[beeatnik]

https://c4.staticflickr.com/4/3827/18766768594_e6129a39fd_o.jpg
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/406/19201687310_50d961dfa6_o.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/552/19389300345_411b999a22_c.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/419/19201718858_0a06fc65a1_o.jpg

[Cat3roadracer]

All different tools.

[oldpotatoe]

Yes, the '15 cranks are absoluterly hideous! I prefer the previous design by far...

No and I guess beauty and eyes and beholder, etc. plus going from 53/39 to 50/34 or 52/36 or 50/36, etc way cheaper than buying a new crank. IMHO

[thirdgenbird]

Thirdgen/Beetnik

Thanks for the compliment, but that's not my bike. (My frame is still in transit)
It's a photo I found on the web.
Same frame, same gruppo.

Debating the cockpit.
I'll probably end up with Zonda wheels. which have a bright portion on the rims, like in the pic.
I'm debating about how much it will be murdered out.

Imagine the bike below, but with Campy, and maybe gumwalls.

I know it's isn't yours. I've been keeping up ;)

I was just stating opinion about the silver bits. I love late record 10. Lots of carbon but the alloy bits are still shiny. Your plan is solid. I still vote veloflex master tires. For the cockpit, I vote Deda. They offer parts in black on black in several price brackets. Order them with those zondas :)

[Avincent52]

I'm kind of on the fence about the cockpit elements. I love the "cutout" in the "face" of the 3T stem. Just so slick. But they don't make "stealth" bars in aluminum.

OTOH, also like the Deda Superleggero in the BOB version. And while the graphics aren't quite as in your face as the 3T, but the markings on the bar go way past the stem.

These guys could use a lesson in design integration from Campagnolo.

http://metalmtncycling.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_0353.jpg

The reality is that I can scrounge up cockpit items--and it's nice to have an upgrade path. However, the bike won't go so well without a cassette, a chain, or cables, so that's got to be a priority.

[oldpotatoe]

Shifting is for weaklings.

http://images.cyclingtips.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/CORVOS_00004668-001.jpg

Gee, with a wee bit of knowledge of how the older stuff works, a sliver of cycling finesse, decent freewheel and chain, yes you can shift from one cog in back to another and yes, the chain really does go from small to big to small ring.

And yes, an automatic transmission in a car 'finds' the gear easier than a manual but there goes your self respect.

-Rider of a wet weather Moots, with DT friction shifters, with a $20 Athena rear der, 7s freewheel, that works just fine, thanks. Haven't lost a thursday evening world championship yet.

[Avincent52]

You're talking to a guy who searched for two years to find a 2002 BMW station wagon with a 5 speed and the sports package.

Are you saying that these fancy newfangled shifters--even the Campy ones--are like driving an automatic?

[oldpotatoe]

You're talking to a guy who searched for two years to find a 2002 BMW station wagon with a 5 speed and the sports package.

Are you saying that these fancy newfangled shifters--even the Campy ones--are like driving an automatic?

No but, Push lever, Der shifts. All sorts of ramps and pins and shaping and such, for shifting anytime, anywhere, by comparison it is kinda 'automatic'.

But my point is the older stuff works fine, shifts fine for us enthusiasts, it's not a black art, to move the chain around with older stuff.

[witcombusa]

But my point is the older stuff works fine, shifts fine for us enthusiasts, it's not a black art, to move the chain around with older stuff.


"Works" is not exactly high praise! Sure it functions, but it was lagging behind several other makers in terms of actual performance in that same era.
I still ride many groups from that time frame and the comparrisons are interesting.

[oldpotatoe]

"Works" is not exactly high praise! Sure it functions, but it was lagging behind several other makers in terms of actual performance in that same era.
I still ride many groups from that time frame and the comparrisons are interesting.

An an Alfa wasn't as automatic as a Toyota, still choose the Alfa.

[FlashUNC]

The indexed Shimano stuff from that era blew away the Campy stuff. Really after Tullio's death they were lost in the woods a bit. Valentino even admits this these days that it was dark times for the company. And that era of being behind from a technical standpoint still drives his and the company's decision making today. Probably a big reason why you'll never see alloy groups from them that some of us want.

[witcombusa]

An an Alfa wasn't as automatic as a Toyota, still choose the Alfa.

As I recall the Alfa's had electrical systems just as bad as the British did! Lucus was a common theme!