Campy loyalist rides SRAM, doesn't die

[cgolvin]

(Apologies up front if that title is perceived as disrespectful given the obit thread.)

Just thought I'd share my experience from this weekend. My riding partner had organized a gravel ride that I wanted to join, so I asked a friend if I could borrow her rig and she very generously agreed. Excepting my old MTB, all my bikes have been Campy, though I have borrowed a Shimano-equipped road bike two or three times.

The bike (Scottt) was pretty far from my experience, given that it was carbon and had:

• SRAM
• wireless (AXS)
• 1X
• disc (TA)
• tubeless

I was pleasantly surprised by the whole experience. Except for a minor issue with the RD shifting up from the smallest cog, the shifting was fast and smooth. Given the terrain, which included a really nasty 0.3 mile loose dirt stretch approaching 20% at some points, I had all the range I needed and didn't really mind the bigger jumps (ok, I wouldn't call it optimal but it was better than tolerable). I was able to adapt to a different shifting paradigm pretty quickly though of course I made a couple of wrong shifts; I think that if I owned this setup I'd likely swap left and right functions because the right shift down the cassette is opposite to what I'm used to.

I know that a lot of the complaints about SRAM pertain to the FD so moot for me, but if I had to ride this rig regularly I really wouldn't mind. Though I was really happy that I didn't have any kind of mechanical, I would have seemed a real n00b trying to deal with a puncture.

[AngryScientist]

That's cool, and glad to hear you were able to make a fun ride with some borrowed equipment.

I rent enough stuff to say that all of the modern drivetrain bits are really, really good from a functional standpoint. They just work well.

I do think some people poo poo's sram because the first generation kit, particularly Rival was pretty poor, but following that, they really learned their lessons and have some nice stuff out there.

Shimano stuff has always worked really well, though compared to campy, the feedback is much less and feels much more numb, though you cant fault it from a functionality standpoint one bit.

It all comes down to preference now, you cant go wrong with any of the big three shifting bits.

How about a photo of some so-cal gravelley goodness from this ride??

[d_douglas]

I am a Campy guy and tried out Rival hydro 1x from a few years ago - I was impressed. I would say it has a similar feel as Campy. That same Rival group is now on my new Rock Lobster...

Agree with Nick - Shimano stuff works very well, but I just dont like the soft gentle shifts. I like a good "Klunk!" when a drop a gear or two.

[cgolvin]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

How about a photo of some so-cal gravelley goodness from this ride??

Pretty sure that my buddy will supply some more scenic shots, but this will have to suffice for now. (Guy on the far left was riding a really nice Rock Lobster, steel fork with rim brakes.)



And here's a link to a video that another friend shot (apologies for my NSFW hand gesture, I was just screwing around)

[rolandtiangco]

Similar experience here. My recent bikes have all been ~2015 era Campy 11s and I’ve recently acquired a low mileage Sram Rival 10s group which I put on my indoor trainer. I started riding said trainer bike outdoors during the shoulder season, and I grew to really love the ergonomics and shifting. I’m now considering a modern Sram groupset for my next bike.


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[Spaghetti Legs]

I’m pretty sure a tiny part of your soul died. Maybe not if it was a borrowed bike though.

[cgolvin]

Originally Posted by Spaghetti Legs

I’m pretty sure a tiny part of your soul died. Maybe not if it was a borrowed bike though.

You may be right, but it's also possible that a new piece of soul sprouted by virtue of getting off the road and seeing some lovely wildflowers. What's certain is that I enjoyed all of the dirt descents on this bike more than I did the entirety of Santa Rita Road on my Nuevo Record equipped Gios. 100%.

[reuben]

Originally Posted by cgolvin

There's something wrong with that picture.

[robt57]

Originally Posted by cgolvin

Campy loyalist rides SRAM, doesn't die

Some poisons are slow acting....

[reuben]

Originally Posted by robt57

Some poisons are slow acting....

Could be a case of long SRAM.

[rice rocket]

Originally Posted by reuben

There's something wrong with that picture.

On second thought, maybe he came out of the woods...

[cgolvin]

Originally Posted by reuben

There's something wrong with that picture.

The photographer is holding two bikes, if that's what you mean.
It's too bad because the bikeless rider has a really nice Speedvagen.

[AngryScientist]

Christmas will look a little different at casa golvin this year. Italians everywhere will weep tears of abandonment and despair.

[robt57]

The red is missing on two counts, X-Mas and Italians colors. Maybe SRAM Red too for the trifecta...

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

Christmas will look a little different at casa golvin this year. Italians everywhere will weep tears of abandonment and despair.

[Gianni Bianchi]

Originally Posted by robt57

Some poisons are slow acting....

this... so much this.