Long term reviews of Chorus 12 speed versus 11?

[slowpoke]

Much to my chagrin, 11 speed Chorus (used, or NOS) is somehow more expensive than 12 speed Chorus new. I thought "obsolete" technology would be cheaper!

With that in mind, is there any reason not to go to twelve, especially in 2020? The freehub is still the same going from 10 to 12. And I have access to less-expensive replacement parts if I smash my derailleur. I do wish the 11-34 was a 12-34, but that's roadie-culture.

(Please, no Ekar discussions given its availability and price.)

[woodworker]

I've had both. I've been riding the 12 speed Chorus for around a year. It's an improvement over the 11 speed Chorus. Shifting I think is a bit better, particularly at the rear. The 12 speed just works really well, and the Chorus pricing is really reasonable. I don't see any reason to stick with 11.

[cgolvin]

I have Chorus 12 on one bike, SR 11 on another. Both work great, the only difference I notice is that the front shifting on Chorus 12 is better. The only reasons I can think of for sticking with 11 is if you have wheelsets that you swap between bikes, in particular if one of them uses a S**M cassette (this is a small frustration for me). But if I were buying a new groupset it would be 12 speed.

[R3awak3n]

Originally Posted by woodworker

I've had both. I've been riding the 12 speed Chorus for around a year. It's an improvement over the 11 speed Chorus. Shifting I think is a bit better, particularly at the rear. The 12 speed just works really well, and the Chorus pricing is really reasonable. I don't see any reason to stick with 11.

there are actually a few reasons to stick with 11.

1 and most important, cheap cassettes. Can get 105 and ultegra cassetes for cheap and in tons of different gearing. With 12 you need special 12 speed cassettes from campy that cost $$$$

2 wheelsets - a lot of people running campy have wheels with shimano freehubs, because easier to find and the above reason. Having to get a campy freehub on some wheels is going to cost extra $$$

and final, 12 speed is ugly. The RD is aweful looking and the crank is not much better. Can get away with an old 11 speed crank but have to stick with the less appealing RD.

However you are right, price for 11 speed is getting ridiculous that I would considering going 12.

[Brian Cdn]

[QUOTE=R3awak3n;2820442]
and final, 12 speed is ugly. The RD is aweful looking and the crank is not much better. Can get away with an old 11 speed crank but have to stick with the less appealing RD. Quote]


Nothing elegant 'bout the 12 speed cranks, front or rear der. They may work, but they sure are ugly. Not looking forward to 12's if my 11's need to be replaced.

[oldpotatoe]

[QUOTE=Brian Cdn;2821055]

Originally Posted by R3awak3n

and final, 12 speed is ugly. The RD is awful looking and the crank is not much better. Can get away with an old 11 speed crank but have to stick with the less appealing RD. Quote]


Nothing elegant 'bout the 12 speed cranks, front or rear der. They may work, but they sure are ugly. Not looking forward to 12's if my 11's need to be replaced.

Pretty funny..Campag always gets the air time as having an 'ugly' rear der BUT..none will win any beauty prizes BUT I'm a believer or function over form. But about the looks of a rear der..must be winter already.

Besides, It's Campag, and like Rapha, gotta kvetch...I think red one most ugliest..and their etap one..yikes.

[R3awak3n]

[QUOTE=oldpotatoe;2821273]

Originally Posted by Brian Cdn

Pretty funny..Campag always gets the air time as having an 'ugly' rear der BUT..none will win any beauty prizes BUT I'm a believer or function over form. But about the looks of a rear der..must be winter already.

Besides, It's Campag, and like Rapha, gotta kvetch...I think red one most ugliest..and their etap one..yikes.

of those 3, campy 12s is the ugliest one by far.


to be fair, 11 speed campy was probably the best looking or at least comparable. The new stuff just does not look good my man. I would still use it because I am a campy fan but just ugly.

Funny thing is that as far as EKAR goes, that looks good to me, the whole group works well together (minus that thumb button that thing is fugly), but 12 speed from the RD to the crank is a no for me.

But you are right, none of the 3 are good looking. I think OG etap looks awesome but the new axs is a step back in that department. Shimano might be the best looking but its not 12 speed so it is out of the competition.

[vespasianus]

[QUOTE=R3awak3n;2821277]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

of those 3, campy 12s is the ugliest one by far.


to be fair, 11 speed campy was probably the best looking or at least comparable. The new stuff just does not look good my man. I would still use it because I am a campy fan but just ugly.

Funny thing is that as far as EKAR goes, that looks good to me, the whole group works well together (minus that thumb button that thing is fugly), but 12 speed from the RD to the crank is a no for me.

But you are right, none of the 3 are good looking. I think OG etap looks awesome but the new axs is a step back in that department. Shimano might be the best looking but its not 12 speed so it is out of the competition.

That would be your opinion. I think the Campag RD looks the best.

[Dave]

I prefer to ride my bike rather than spend a lot of time looking at it. Function rules for me. I bought two Chorus 12 groups last July - no regrets. Best mechanical group for the price.

I've got Force AXS rim brake too - looks fine to me. Still use my Chorus brakes.

[zap]

Have SR11 on the Crumpton and Chorus 12 (partial) on one of our tandems. The tandem was put together early summer, the Crumpton re-cabled this winter.

Tough comparison as tandem cables run longer plus this is our travel tandem so there are cable splitters. Despite this, the Chorus 12 rear shifting on our tandem is spectacular. The SR11 is a bit more "mechanical". Can't compare front shifting as the Chorus 12 front derailleur does not work with tandem spacing....which I documented here on Paceline earlier this year.

This is not a long term review as we only have about 2K miles on our tandem now but it has been flawless. SR11 did eat a front derailleur cable 2 years ago which was a surprise. Never had that happen with Campy Record 8/9/10.

Recently one bloke drafted behind us (tandem) and commented that he had never seen a rear derailleur tucked in so close before. He was also impressed that the drivetrain was soooo quiet.

So....if I were putting together a new single......no looking back.....Campy 12/13 baby

[R3awak3n]

Originally Posted by Dave

I prefer to ride my bike rather than spend a lot of time looking at it. Function rules for me. I bought two Chorus 12 groups last July - no regrets. Best mechanical group for the price.

I've got Force AXS rim brake too - looks fine to me. Still use my Chorus brakes.

Oh yes the classic you cant see it while you are ridding it.

Again, I would still use it and will probably eventually buy it but we are talking about 11 vs 12 and not about function over form.

I have not tried 12 yet so I cant say how much better it is. However I can say that 11 over 10 had much better ergonomics, 12 might shift a little better but will not improve my ridding at all and I do not need an extra gear.

[thirdgenbird]

I agree 11spd is better looking, especially if you mix pre-15 cranks and brakes with 15+ derailleurs and shifters. That said, I think 12spd parts look much better installed on the bike vs just looking at a picture of the individual parts off bike.

I will go as far as saying 12spd can look really good on some frames. Probably ownership bias, but I actually think 12 matches my yeti better than 11. It’s not as pretty, but it’s a better overall match.

[mcteague]

I think Campy gets a lot of flack for ugly components because, for a long time, they had the best looking stuff. I agree that, in the end, form follows function but it’s a shame the Italian style had to be sacrificed in the bargain.

Tim

[R3awak3n]

[QUOTE=vespasianus;2821281]

Originally Posted by R3awak3n

That would be your opinion. I think the Campag RD looks the best.

Sounds like you own a 12 campy group.

But yes definitely my opinion. However it has been a collective online opinion ever since 12 came out. But again, yes, some people can find the new stuff good looking.

[vespasianus]

[QUOTE=R3awak3n;2821301]

Originally Posted by vespasianus

Sounds like you own a 12 campy group.

But yes definitely my opinion. However it has been a collective online opinion ever since 12 came out. But again, yes, some people can find the new stuff good looking.

Actually I don't. Chorus 11 speed and Shimano mountain 12 speed are what are on my bikes.

But I like the look of the Chorus 12 speed. Very batman like!