Durability Poll: Campagnolo vs. Shimano - Experiences Wanted

[handsomerob]

Well Big Dan's post in my G thing thread got me thinking. I have seen more Campy vs. Shimano threads than I care to count, but I don't know if I have ever seen an objective durability poll. This poll has nothing to do with ergonomics, aesthetics, or loyalty. I am just curious as to what the usable life is for a shifter.

[William]

Well, I can't coment on Campy durability (other then tiny hoods), but I've got a DA STI 8 group that is still alive and works flawlessly after 12 years or so of racing and constant training use. It just won't die.



William

[Big Dan]

Same recycled argument. This feels more like RBR everyday. It's a shame.

[handsomerob]

Originally Posted by William

Well, I can't coment on Campy durability (other then tiny hoods), but I've got a DA STI 8 group that is still alive and works flawlessly after 12 years or so of racing and constant training use. It just won't die.



William

Other than running into the occasional DT shifter rider, I am usually the only one out riding 8 speed bits, so it's good to know I am not alone . I don't want to complicate the poll, but I wonder if there is an appreciable difference in the durability of 8 vs. 9 vs. 10 speed shifters, so comments like this are nice to have.

FYI, I can't vote on either manufacturers durability because I have yet to personally put 10000 miles into a single set of shifters or have one fail on me. (I have only been riding about 2 years)

[handsomerob]

Originally Posted by Big Dan

Same recycled argument. This feels more like RBR everyday. It's a shame.

I don't think that an objective poll can be a "recycled argument".

It isn't an argument at all really, because it isn't an opinion poll. I only wanted to determine the usable lifetime difference in the parts.

[William]

Btw, I clicked on the wrong one. Greater then 20 by far.


William

[spiderman]

i'm told the reason my campy record
is doing so well compared to the da i wore out so quickly
is that since riding fixed
i no longer shift as much!

[Pete Serotta]

Folks ride in different conditions and treat their equiptment differently, I know folks that have rebuilt, replaced things and short of an accident, have never had to rebuild replace a lever. Miles and use are big on how long something last.

Originally Posted by handsomerob

I don't think that an objective poll can be a "recycled argument".

It isn't an argument at all really, because it isn't an opinion poll. I only wanted to determine the usable lifetime difference in the parts.

[GregL]

Original (non-Flight Deck) DA-7700 STI levers, c1998. Estimated 15K+ miles. Still work like new. They've hit the deck at least three times by my count. Replaced the cosmetic front caps (easily and inexpensively available from Shimano), polished out the worst of the scratches, and then out for some more miles.

Regards,
Greg

[handsomerob]

Originally Posted by Serotta_Pete

Folks ride in different conditions and treat their equiptment differently, I know folks that have rebuilt, replaced things and short of an accident, have never had to rebuild replace a lever. Miles and use are big on how long something last.

I agree with you, but conditions of use shouldn't be brand specific. I guess the results could be skewed if one brand was only used in dry weather and another in wet, but with enough data, the results should be valid (just like vehicle durability reports).

[handsomerob]

Originally Posted by William

Btw, I clicked on the wrong one. Greater then 20 by far.


William

Since there are folks that have both or more than one set, I set up the poll to accept multiple answers... i.e. if someone got 10000 miles out of one Shimano shifter and 20000 miles from another and less than 10000 out of a Campy shifter, they could click 3 different options.

[Fixed]

bro 7400 and super rec , still goin cheers imho

[Ray]

I've only had one set of Campy shifters. They needed springs replaced every couple of years or so. They'll theoretically last forever, but were a PIA to deal with. I have a couple sets of DA nine-speed levers that have been going strong for years and years and years and year and, you get the idea. I think the bottom line is that both of them will last a LOOOOOOOONG time, but Campy may require more attention during that time and may have an ultimately longer life as well. But at this rate of success, who cares? I ultimately have stuck with Shimano because of greater flexibility of mixing mtb and road components, not feel or durability or aesthetics or even ergonomics, which are all so close to a wash as to not matter to me.

-Ray

[Dave]

This is kind of a silly question since Campy shifters can be rebuilt many times. The materials used for the G-springs and the index gear are unlikely to have changed much over the years, but there have been some other changes to reduce internal friction and make the lever action lighter.

With regard to your 8 speed shifters, I think you'll find the parts harder to get all the time. Branford no longer seems to list any parts specifically for 8 speed ergo levers. The shape of the 8 speed ergo lever body isn't nearly as comfortable as later models, IMO.

Anyone who understands the inner workings will also realize that a Campy right shifter is bound to require a minor overhaul (just G-springs) in 10-15,000 miles. Of course this all depends on how much shifting you do. I bought 4 springs, good for two rebuilds, for $12. It's not very hard to take an ergo lever apart for this minor overhaul, but it's best done when you're changing cables and have the bar tape off anyway.

The initial cost is also quite different, with Campy being far cheaper. If you can't perform the required maintenance on your own, then eventually a
Campy ergo lever might cost as much as Shimano.

Most users pick one over the other because they like the way the shifter works, or it fits their hands better. I like Campy for the shorter reach to the brake hoods, the multiple shifts to smaller cogs with the thumb button and the superior control of a triple FD.

Longevity has never been one of my concerns riding 5,000 miles or less per year. I used 8 speed from '95-'96, switched to 9 speed in '97 and 10 speed in 2000. I never kept anything long enough to wear it out (other than chains). After 8 seasons on 10 speed, I've still sold bikes often enough that I've never worn out an ergo lever. A couple of years ago, I took my first one apart, just to see what made it tick. I used instructions I downloaded from various websites and eventually wrote my own instuctions to rectify the mistakes and omissions I found. This year, I scuffed up a pair of levers pretty badly in a wreck and decided to rebuild them as spares. My Record Ultra levers are now "no-name" models. A lot of the lettering was scuffed up, so I sanded off the remaining lettering and gave the brake levers several coats of clear lacquer to make them look nearly new.

[William]

Originally Posted by handsomerob

Since there are folks that have both or more than one set, I set up the poll to accept multiple answers... i.e. if someone got 10000 miles out of one Shimano shifter and 20000 miles from another and less than 10000 out of a Campy shifter, they could click 3 different options.

It appears after your initial vote you can't go back and click on other options.

Oh well, my bad.


William