When comparing Campy and Shimano groupsets, would it be safe to say the following:
Centaur = 105
Chorus = Ultegra
Record = Dura Ace
I’m planning on upgrading my groupset on a frame I really like. Currently I have 105. Thinking about Ultegra. But I really like the aestheics of Campy. I’ve also heard that Campy is generally a step above Shimano, so that Ultegra and Centaur are comprible, as are Dura Ace and Chorus, and Record is the best or all. If that’s the case, perhaps I should upgrade, instead of 105 to Ultegra, from 105 to Centaur??
And I do not worry about the rest, but they probably alternate in a similar manner. However, I think SRAM’s new components jump in there. I am using SRAM Rival right now, and it rocks. I have been on Ultegra for a while, and Rival is way better. I have heard Force is in the DA/Record range. I am curious as to what SRAM Red and up being like. That is probably my next purchase.
<< I thought it was more:
Record → No Shimano equivalent
Chorus → Dura Ace
I would have to say this is a bit more accurate. I just went from Dura Ace to the new Chorus and the Chorus is quite a step up compared to Dura Ace in my books.
When you say the campy is a step up, what specific things have you noticed?
Also, how’s the availability of Campy? Every bike shop stocks Shimano. When considering Campy, I’m a bit worried of being two days before a big race, needing some Campy part, and not being able to find it, whereas with Shimano if one bike shop doesn’t have it, another usually does.
And the same question for SRAM - what’s the availability like?
Over the last 15 years, you can pretty much get campy as easily as shimano in north america. Not sure about SRAM yet. I know our shop has all 3, it’s actually harder for me to get Shimano parts than it would be for me to get Campy.
If you can afford it, go with Chorus over Centaur (and anything Shimano.) While the derrailluers and crank are very nice with Centaur, I think the new Chorus shifters are MUCH better than Centaur. Campy did away with the “dump” feature with their new Centaur shifters (the ability to upshift through the entire cassette with two pushes of the thumb) and made it available now with only Chorus and Record. The new Centaur LOOKS much better, especially with the new carbon levers, but unfortunately the shifting did not improve as well! IMO it is worth the extra money for Chorus.
the main thing that I notice is that the shifting is a lot crisper, more precise using a shorter throw then what is needed with the Shimano levers. I also prefer the way the shifting is done with Campy as opposed to Shimano. Other things I noticed, overall component group weight is lighter. I climb a lot thus I ride a lot on the hoods and with Shimano there are a few rough spots in the underneath part of the brake lever where my index finger sometimes resides on long climbs. On the Campy levers, nice and smooth, not to mention a better fit for my hand.
So far I haven’t had the need to any Campy small parts but there is two things here, first of all, if you need to rebuild something in Campy like the brake or shift levers, you can, not with Shimano. Second, I’m not too worried about getting parts if I ever need them, Campy USA headquarters is here in Carlsbad right around the corner from me.
Can’t offer any help on the Centaur group, only familiar with the Record and Chorus.