Which Groupset?

So they're so bad they actually put you off cycling?

They're so bad they were used by only 2/3rds of GT winners in 2014

Starting on my first road bike (yes...big wow, etc). Want a black GS. Got a pretty nice classic looking steel frame - can't see a moulded ultra (dura ace, tiara, 105) crankset looking right with it...on a really modern bike, fair enough. The campag's actually look more like a crank and less like the bad guy lair in the spy who loved me. So just wondering what the verdict was. Can't argue with Pifko's.

=

vs

dammits steel serrotta looks good with new ultegra?

campag, just no.

i'd go ultegra - easier to source parts and i like shimano
but as usual, which one feels better in your hands?

Ta. Is it in CP?

Cheers DJ

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5487/11270786224_da83f5ebcc_b.jpg

Cheers. Coming at this from a position of of total nodder-dom and therefore going purely on aesthetics (its lfgss FFS), whilst I'm sure that is 1000% functional that photo confirms exactly the kind of thing I don't want to end up with.

SRAM not an option? Can look pretty cool on steel

http://www.velospace.org/files/P1210808.jpg

If I was to buy another mechanical groupset it would be Campag. I just like the Hoods, and the thumb shifter. Actually really miss that thumb shifter.

Cant imagine ever going back from Di2 though.

Truth is I know so little about what my options are. That though is definitely an option. Thanks a lot.

The groupset isn't hugely important.

Just go for the most modern/evolved group that's cheap to own and run. That's 105 / Ultegra / Di2 depending on budget.

Cheers.

I'm a bit late to the conversation here, but the terrible online reviews of Miche cassettes are well deserved. I used a couple as an alternative for Campy cassettes and the first one I used started shedding teeth from the most regularly used sprockets after 6 months...I figured it was a one off and got another one which then lost teeth after only a few months before one of the sprockets completely split. Have gone back to Campy and had no problems since.

D-goods.

There really isnt a great technical reason to chose any of the top groupsets over each other. Pick what you like the feel and functionality of. In fact you can grow to like the shifting of any of them, and they are all comfy if you have average sized hands. So asthetics is as good a reason as any.

Big help. Thanks. I have a Shimano Sora coming if Buckaroo ever gets his SH1T together - which looks increasingly unlikely. Seemed like a good place to start.

Paid to ride Campagnolo vs paying to ride Campagnolo are different things.

Ultegra is great. And 172.5 50/34 is only £430 over at Bike-components.de

Mechanical Chorus is an excellent groupset - as long as you're willing to pay a premium for parts I thoroughly recommend it, even for commuting year-round, which I use it for.

It may seem expensive but unless I'm staring at it I cannot tell the difference between Chorus and Super Record. SR is just lighter and much more £££. Same technology except ceramic bearings on the SR, which since they are not protected, get grit in them easily and need replacing by the time you've got back from that ride where your bike started to sound like a peppermill.

but as usual, which one feels better in your hands?

Yes - go try them!

I've only had a play in a shop ("please don't ride the £4k Basso down the shop stairs sir") but the new 4 arm chorus looks and is gorgeous IMHO. It doesn't really to do anything better than Shimano 5800 to be honest, but is light and vert tasty... and I do like campag shifters.

as long as you're willing to pay a premium for parts

Now you can use shimano/sram wheels/cassettes that is at least one way Campagnolo can't take the piss.

@dubtap take your trolling elsewhere.

You're much better than this.

Better trolling would be "given their increased cost and decreasing market share you may wish to consider the likelihood of finding Campy spares and replacements long term".

But just buy what works for you and that you can afford to replace.

Or wait for FSA.

That's crap trolling, DJ.

You're not better than this.

Why do SRAM and Shimano fans praise their preference, and denigrate the other options whilst Campagnolo advocates just appear to be so defensive?