Which Groupset?

I would say that if it was me i would go for Red but if you are a a bit of a budget go for force as its virtually the same, I've never used rival so can't comment, Shimano is reliable but a bit dull IMO I have 105/ultegra on my winter bike and it hasn't let me down.......

I wouldn't go for campag as i don't like the hood shape or shifting mechanism also you have more choice on wheels with shim/sram

The front shift has much less to do with the FD as it does with the chainrings, chain and shifters.

I have cheap superstar components cork pads, and not the finest of finishing on my carbon braking surfaces.

Touch of toe in, and careful centering, and the braking is sweet.

I forget- were your rims Xiamen/Farsports?

Right did a bit of testing today. Ultegra isn't to my fancy. Having come from SRAM, the shifting appears incredibly slow, (the cable ratio?) and I'm not really a fan. I like the hood, not as much as SRAM, but they are ok. I then tested super record. Ridiculious good. I'll try tommorow on the 9 speed record, but I've totally reversed my opinion of campagnolo. I don't want SRAM as a I've already got and I'm not a fan of the lack of trim on the front mech (and the 'unsubtle shifting')

Cable ratio is 2:1 apparently?

Heh, if you think SRAM shifting is unsubtle wait until you try Campag.

On the positive side, you certainly know when it's shifted.

I'm assuming the setting of the B-screw has been checked in all these test-riding scenarios? Otherwise it's all a little moot, init.

Yeah all bikes were 'PDI'ed before I gave them a go...I'm assuming it was correctly set...I don't know if 11 speed campag is different but it felt nicer than my rival.

'Nicer' is a objective term. Naturally.

I forget- were your rims Xiamen/Farsports?

Yes.
The braking surface feels much better than it looks. I guess the unidirectional carbon make it look uneven.
I've alread stratched them. A fatbike wheel feel off my wall.

4.7", carbide studded, 2.5 Kg wheel V 900g carbon race wheel = no contest.

Right did a bit of testing today. Ultegra isn't to my fancy. Having come from SRAM, the shifting appears incredibly slow, (the cable ratio?) and I'm not really a fan. I like the hood, not as much as SRAM, but they are ok. I then tested super record. Ridiculious good. I'll try tommorow on the 9 speed record, but I've totally reversed my opinion of campagnolo. I don't want SRAM as a I've already got and I'm not a fan of the lack of trim on the front mech (and the 'unsubtle shifting')

SR is such a positive feeling groupset. How something so light can sound and feel so substantial, is what gets me.

Quick Q - Can you 'hang' the upshift with Doubletap?

As in, move the lever to the shift position, and keep it there and release when you want the gear change?

If so- yes.

Awesome

Even though the current Ultregra and Dura Ace (mechanical) have poorer shifting than the old versions?

Yes

Awesome

Awesome dude

Can you use 7900 shifters with 7800 rear and front mechs?

Yes, but they won't be as good. Different cable pull or something.

You'd have to use 7900 series brakes, not 7800 as the cable pull changes between series.

I'm using 5600 105 levers with 6700 brakes and Shimano tech doc for the brakes says the braking will be "too strong" with old style STIs but it isn't.

Can you use 7900 shifters with 7800 rear and front mechs?

http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/tech_support/tech_tips.download.-Par50lparsys-0025-downloadFile.html/01)%20Drivetrain%20Compatability%20Chart.pdf

Check out ShimaNO chart .. You'll need the front but the rear should be ok. As Dammit said check your brakes. 7900 uses "servowave"

Hippy wins...
http://fairwheelbikes.com/cycling-blog/updates-and-news/shimano-2013-part-1-dura-ace-9000.html

While Shimano has no official plans to kill off mechanical, I think the feeling with a lot of people including the engineers at Shimano is that this could perhaps be the last high end mechanical group that Shimano produces.

So 9000 marks the end of an era?

recent finds:

RX100 - as good as 105, pretty solid
mirage (racing triple) - very nice for the price