105 vs Centaur

9psi said:

Now that the 10 speed 105 and centaur groups are the same price in Oz, What are peoples opinions on the budget race groups?

What differs them from their more expensive siblings other than weight?

I get the impression that centaur isn't as reliable so at this price point 105 would be the go.

Ultegra is only $100 or so more expensive.

Where did you dredge up that barge load of hooey? Centaur is so far ahead of 105 it isn't even a contest.

9psi said:

Now that the 10 speed 105 and centaur groups are the same price in Oz, What are peoples opinions on the budget race groups?

What differs them from their more expensive siblings other than weight?

I get the impression that centaur isn't as reliable so at this price point 105 would be the go.

Ultegra is only $100 or so more expensive.

Not to start a Campy vs. Shimano flame war here, but Centaur is at least on the level of Ultegra in terms of weight and performance. Aside from a few carbon and titanium bits, it's pretty much the same as Record. It's a lot more reliable than 105, not to mention better looking.

artmichalek said:

Not to start a Campy vs. Shimano flame war here, but Centaur is at least on the level of Ultegra in terms of weight and performance. Aside from a few carbon and titanium bits, it's pretty much the same as Record. It's a lot more reliable than 105, not to mention better looking.

105 = veloce : good groups for the price but with different feels and different problems inherent to their designs .
but better looking ? that´s like buying a chair that looks funky but that you can´t sit in . looks are a poor reason for marriage and a stupid one for buying technology .

el Inglés said:

...but better looking ? that´s like buying a chair that looks funky but that you can´t sit in . looks are a poor reason for marriage and a stupid one for buying technology .

Sorry, my tounge was still stuck in my cheek from that line about the inevitable flame war. I ride Campy because the levers work better with my hands. The fact that Shimano parts are so ugly played a much smaller part in the decision process.

9psi said:

Now that the 10 speed 105 and centaur groups are the same price in Oz, What are peoples opinions on the budget race groups?

What differs them from their more expensive siblings other than weight?

I get the impression that centaur isn't as reliable so at this price point 105 would be the go.

Ultegra is only $100 or so more expensive.

I've used both Shimano and Campy and I'm a Campy fan. A couple things to consider would be the ergonomics and compatibility. I prefer the Campy levers and thumb shifters over the Shimano design. I will say that it's easier to find Shimano compatible wheelsets, although that's not to say there aren't plenty of Campy freehub bodies around either. Personally I owned 105 and didn't care for the plastic parts that break and the overall durability. I would recommend trying each out to determine which feels better.

the campy centaur shifts better than the my wifes old bike with Ultegra. Very mechanical feel to the campy shifting, some people like it, some people don't. Personally i like my shimano setup, but my wife loves the campy as it fits her hands better.

Gentlemen,

May I humbly propose that the Shimano 105 10 speed is nice, shiny, little toy for folks who subjectively prefer Shimano for God knows whatever reason...

The Campy Centaur group is infinitely more graceful in appearance and has an excellent price to quality ratio as compared to Chorus and Record. Additionally, Campagnolo defines the quintessentiel spirit and soul of European cycling, embodied in a time-honored, historic name and beautiful craftsmanship coupled with performance which warrants no complaints, au contraire.

Yes, this is a subjective opinion, but perhaps the overall objective needs to be clarified on an individual basis...On a Fuji frame I could accept Shimano, although I would not ride it. No soul, no spirit, no history.

My Italian bikes are draped and dressed with Campagnolo from head to toe and I have the impression of riding high-end, high-performance bikes with logical, symetric and coherent component marriage. Visions of Ottavio Bottechia and Fausto Coppi push me along as I struggle up the French Alps here in summer. It's a psychological, whole-man experience and is simply not possible (for me) with Shimano.

Just a thought, please don't take offense.
David

DCSmith said:

Gentlemen,

May I humbly propose that the Shimano 105 10 speed is nice, shiny, little toy for folks who subjectively prefer Shimano for God knows whatever reason...

The Campy Centaur group is infinitely more graceful in appearance and has an excellent price to quality ratio as compared to Chorus and Record. Additionally, Campagnolo defines the quintessentiel spirit and soul of European cycling, embodied in a time-honored, historic name and beautiful craftsmanship coupled with performance which warrants no complaints, au contraire.

Yes, this is a subjective opinion, but perhaps the overall objective needs to be clarified on an individual basis...On a Fuji frame I could accept Shimano, although I would not ride it. No soul, no spirit, no history.

My Italian bikes are draped and dressed with Campagnolo from head to toe and I have the impression of riding high-end, high-performance bikes with logical, symetric and coherent component marriage. Visions of Ottavio Bottechia and Fausto Coppi push me along as I struggle up the French Alps here in summer. It's a psychological, whole-man experience and is simply not possible (for me) with Shimano.

Just a thought, please don't take offense.
David

Well said. I can't imagine humming Marriage of Figaro while shifting a set of Shimano levers...
😎

artmichalek said:

Not to start a Campy vs. Shimano flame war here, but Centaur is at least on the level of Ultegra in terms of weight and performance. Aside from a few carbon and titanium bits, it's pretty much the same as Record. It's a lot more reliable than 105, not to mention better looking.

The Centaur Group is very high quality and delivers an excellent value for the price. I have found Campagnolo components to be very durable, reliable, and my local shops stock spares so that in the case of damage, it is possible to rebuild a component rather than replace it. I had a rear derailleur damaged by an airline when flying with the bike, and my local shop was able to sell me a small part for USD $2.00, and I was able to replace it and ride that same day.

I would personally recommend the Centaur over the 105, but you would probably be best off try to get your hands on both and decide yourself.

DCSmith said:

Gentlemen,

May I humbly propose that the Shimano 105 10 speed is nice, shiny, little toy for folks who subjectively prefer Shimano for God knows whatever reason...

The Campy Centaur group is infinitely more graceful in appearance and has an excellent price to quality ratio as compared to Chorus and Record. Additionally, Campagnolo defines the quintessentiel spirit and soul of European cycling, embodied in a time-honored, historic name and beautiful craftsmanship coupled with performance which warrants no complaints, au contraire.

Yes, this is a subjective opinion, but perhaps the overall objective needs to be clarified on an individual basis...On a Fuji frame I could accept Shimano, although I would not ride it. No soul, no spirit, no history.

My Italian bikes are draped and dressed with Campagnolo from head to toe and I have the impression of riding high-end, high-performance bikes with logical, symetric and coherent component marriage. Visions of Ottavio Bottechia and Fausto Coppi push me along as I struggle up the French Alps here in summer. It's a psychological, whole-man experience and is simply not possible (for me) with Shimano.

Just a thought, please don't take offense.
David

What he said 😉
Not to mention what Boudreaux said way back when 🙁

PeterF said:

Well said. I can't imagine humming Marriage of Figaro while shifting a set of Shimano levers...
😎

Well said... Let's keep our facts straight, lest Jim rise up out of the grave and give us all what for... Centaur is not Record without some titanium bits. Chorus is Record without some titanium bits. Centaur is Chorus, minus some enhancements - pedals have two bearings instead of three, sleeves instead of bearings in the shifters, and probably a few other things here and there.

I've been riding a Chorus 10 group for four trouble free and bulletproof years. I only changed the cables last year when I put on new handlebars and had to route cables through the bars. And still have a 30 year old classic with Nuovo Record gear that's in perfect operating condition. Obsolete as all get out, but it still works perfectly.

Centaur vs 105? Unless one has no class at all, that's an easy choice. Besides, Marriage of Figaro is a rather catchy tune...

DCSmith said:

The Campy Centaur group is infinitely more graceful in appearance and has an excellent price to quality ratio as compared to Chorus and Record. Additionally, Campagnolo defines the quintessentiel spirit and soul of European cycling, embodied in a time-honored, historic name and beautiful craftsmanship coupled with performance which warrants no complaints, au contraire.

It also smells better coming out of the box.

I have 105 on my bike. The bikes I have ridden with Campy were so uncomfortable I would never buy a Campy componenet bike. The levers are too small for my hands. Shimano levers fit my hands perfectly.

As for you folks who think Campy is being better looking than Shimano, you obviously think what the bike looks like is more important than your riding capabilities.

Alpha said:

As for you folks who think Campy is being better looking than Shimano, you obviously think what the bike looks like is more important than your riding capabilities.

For us folk who ride 4K-10K miles per year , actually its all about durability that is the factor in choosing Campy over Shimano ... as thats what I've found/experienced. As you use your components, pieces start to wear out. If you have Shimano- and something breaks, or is used to such an extent that it cannot be salvaged..... then you simply throw away, and by new again. Over the years, this can add up $$$ ......... and thus Shimano becomes more expensive then Campy(thats if your in it for the long haul... and you either dont 1. sell your bike every 3-4 years, or 2. are into cycling for only a few years... then move onto another sport).

If something goes out in a Campy Ergo lever.. you buy the replacement part - fix it - then your back on the road again - instead of having to throw away... and buy a new $175+ shift/brake lever. Again, its not about looks(a subjective debate there) ..... its about durability/reliability/design/functionality. 🙂

PeterF said:

Well said. I can't imagine humming Marriage of Figaro while shifting a set of Shimano levers...
😎

Hmmm, I can't imagine humming Marriage of Figaro even when shifting a set of Record levers.

But Ode to Joy does spring to mind.

😎😎😎

Very simple adage to solve the problem: Campy wears in, Shimano wears out.

Campy replacement parts certainly aren't cheap though... $80 for a record brake lever. Ouch. It's a 4 inch piece of carbon....

PeterF said:

Campy replacement parts certainly aren't cheap though... $80 for a record brake lever. Ouch. It's a 4 inch piece of carbon....

As oppose to Shimano's $320 plastic/aluminum dura ace brifter which you have to buy whole even when just a 3 cent spring inside wears out.

Chuck731 said:

As oppose to Shimano's $320 plastic/aluminum dura ace brifter which you have to buy whole even when just a 3 cent spring inside wears out.

I agree that it's still nicer to replace a part as opposed to having to throw it away.