2004 Chorus or 2005 Ultegra (Longish)



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Douglas Estok

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Greetings, all. My very first post here, so please, be gentle. Or at least buy me a drink...

Well, it might be my second...not sure if the first post was accepted by the server or not.

So, I picked up a new road frame shortly before the holidays...a year-end closeout I just couldn't
turn down.

Getting back to the road after a 15-year layoff, which has been spent on the MTB scene. 6' 1", 193#,
38. Not interested in crits, TTs, or racing in general. Between my wife and me, we have 3
businesses, and 2 young kids, so time is limited.

Looking for a reliable ride I can hop on and spin for an hour or two...the occasional century or half-
C...get me away from the computer, get the blood flowing. Will still ride my MTBs (Ti hardtail and
steel rigid SS), but supplement with road riding for variety and fitness.

On my MTBs, I primarily run XT, with a smattering of SRAM, XTR and Avid. I'm pretty big and strong,
and can break parts.

Was originally set on '03 Chorus, but that's disappearing quickly. '04 Chorus seems a lot like '03
Record. Not intereseted in Dura-Ace...while I appreciate the technology and engineering that's gone
into it, that '04 DA crank is butt-ugly to my eye. Certainly can't justify Record.

I know, logically, Ultegra will be everything I'd ever need, but conventional wisdom is that the '05
will get the DA treatment, on the crank, 10-spd, etc. It doesn't help that everyone and their dog
uses Ultegra, and I admittedly like different stuff than the crowd...I'm just weird like that.

I'd be willing to wait on the '05 Ultegra if it's worth it. Heck, I've waited this long...or get '04
Chorus now. Maybe put the '05 Ultegra crank/bb on it when it comes out...

Anyone seen any spy photos or technical details about '05 Ultegra? I've heard the crank will be
similar in design to DA, but toned down, looks-wise (thank God).

Thanks in advance.

Doug
 
Douglas Estok wrote:
> ...everyone and their dog uses Ultegra, and I admittedly like different stuff than the crowd...I'm
> just weird like that.

Shimano's 105 group looks a lot different...

Dave dvt at psu dot edu
 
I put Chorus 10-spd on a bike I bought in 2000. I couldn't be more pleased. I like the clean look of
the hidden cables from the Ergo shifters. I like the shape and contour of the hoods. I like the
effectiveness of the brakes. And I like the fact that you can shift multiple cogs in one throw on
the back (both up and down) and can easily trim the front. It's certainly less common than Ultegra,
but common enough to be well supported in Portland where I live.

On the other hand, I think the new DA 10-speed is very good looking. Much of this is totally
subjective. Good luck with your choice, whatever it is. "Douglas Estok" <[email protected]> wrote
in message news:[email protected]...
> Greetings, all. My very first post here, so please, be gentle. Or at least buy me a drink...
>
> Well, it might be my second...not sure if the first post was accepted by the server or not.
>
> So, I picked up a new road frame shortly before the holidays...a year-end closeout I just couldn't
> turn down.
>
> Getting back to the road after a 15-year layoff, which has been spent on the MTB scene. 6' 1",
> 193#, 38. Not interested in crits, TTs, or racing in general. Between my wife and me, we have 3
> businesses, and 2 young kids, so time is limited.
>
> Looking for a reliable ride I can hop on and spin for an hour or two...the occasional century or
> half-C...get me away from the computer, get the blood flowing. Will still ride my MTBs (Ti
> hardtail and steel rigid SS), but supplement with road riding for variety and fitness.
>
> On my MTBs, I primarily run XT, with a smattering of SRAM, XTR and Avid. I'm pretty big and
> strong, and can break parts.
>
> Was originally set on '03 Chorus, but that's disappearing quickly. '04 Chorus seems a lot like '03
> Record. Not intereseted in Dura-Ace...while I appreciate the technology and engineering that's
> gone into it, that '04 DA crank is butt-ugly to my eye. Certainly can't justify Record.
>
> I know, logically, Ultegra will be everything I'd ever need, but conventional wisdom is that the
> '05 will get the DA treatment, on the crank, 10-spd, etc. It doesn't help that everyone and their
> dog uses Ultegra, and I admittedly like different stuff than the crowd...I'm just weird like that.
>
> I'd be willing to wait on the '05 Ultegra if it's worth it. Heck, I've waited this long...or get
> '04 Chorus now. Maybe put the '05 Ultegra crank/bb on it when it comes out...
>
> Anyone seen any spy photos or technical details about '05 Ultegra? I've heard the crank will be
> similar in design to DA, but toned down, looks-wise (thank God).
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Doug
 
Douglas Estok wrote: -snip-
> Was originally set on '03 Chorus, but that's disappearing quickly. '04 Chorus seems a lot like '03
> Record. Not intereseted in Dura-Ace...while I appreciate the technology and engineering that's
> gone into it, that '04 DA crank is butt-ugly to my eye. Certainly can't justify Record.
-snip-
> I'd be willing to wait on the '05 Ultegra if it's worth it. Heck, I've waited this long...or get
> '04 Chorus now. Maybe put the '05 Ultegra crank/bb on it when it comes out...
>
> Anyone seen any spy photos or technical details about '05 Ultegra? I've heard the crank will be
> similar in design to DA, but toned down, looks-wise (thank God).
-snip- No idea. Considered 2004 Centaur? Ultegra-level equipment at a better price, even after the
exchange. Fully compatible with Chorus if you want to mix-n-match with, say, a Chorus RD or
something.

--
Andrew Muzi www.yellowjersey.org Open every day since 1 April, 1971
 
dje-<< I'd be willing to wait on the '05 Ultegra if it's worth it. Heck, I've waited this long...or
get '04 Chorus now. Maybe put the '05 Ultegra crank/bb on it when it comes out... >><BR><BR>

With the looks of the DA crank being a problem, then the look of the 2005 ultegra crank
will be too..

I would say never worry about toasted levers or obsolete BBs and go for 2004 Chorus or Centaur now
and forget about all the running changes or other whimsey that shimano will foist on you as the
cyclists test their new stuff.

Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St. Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535 http://www.vecchios.com "Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"
 
On 27 Jan 2004 14:17:58 GMT, [email protected] (Qui si parla
Campagnolo) wrote:

>dje-<< I'd be willing to wait on the '05 Ultegra if it's worth it. Heck, I've waited this long...or
>get '04 Chorus now. Maybe put the '05 Ultegra crank/bb on it when it comes out... >><BR><BR>
>
>With the looks of the DA crank being a problem, then the look of the 2005 ultegra crank
>will be too..
>
>I would say never worry about toasted levers or obsolete BBs and go for 2004 Chorus or Centaur now
>and forget about all the running changes or other whimsey that shimano will foist on you as the
>cyclists test their new stuff.
>
>Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St. Boulder, CO, 80302
>(303)440-3535 http://www.vecchios.com "Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

You're one of several folks who've suggested Centaur. A guy from one of the forums offered me an
unused mini grouppo of '03 Centaur, never installed, fairly cheap. Has Chorus tech trickeld down to
Centaur as well?

Someone told me it was a significant reduction in quality from Chorus to Centaur, at least in the
past. Bushings vs. bearings...Mexico vs. Italy. Care to expound on this, please? TIA
 
I run Record 10 on my road bike and have Centaur 10 on an all-rounder/rain bike. The Centaur from my
point on view seems to work just as well as the Record--not as pretty or quite as light tho.

Centuar is the best bang for the buck out there in a gruppo IMO.

Mark

Douglas Estok wrote:
> On 27 Jan 2004 14:17:58 GMT, [email protected] (Qui si parla Campagnolo) wrote:
>
>
>>dje-<< I'd be willing to wait on the '05 Ultegra if it's worth it. Heck, I've waited this
>>long...or get '04 Chorus now. Maybe put the '05 Ultegra crank/bb on it when it comes out...
>>>><BR><BR>
>>
>>With the looks of the DA crank being a problem, then the look of the 2005 ultegra crank will
>>be too..
>>
>>I would say never worry about toasted levers or obsolete BBs and go for 2004 Chorus or Centaur now
>>and forget about all the running changes or other whimsey that shimano will foist on you as the
>>cyclists test their new stuff.
>>
>>Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St. Boulder, CO, 80302
>>(303)440-3535 http://www.vecchios.com "Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"
>
>
> You're one of several folks who've suggested Centaur. A guy from one of the forums offered me an
> unused mini grouppo of '03 Centaur, never installed, fairly cheap. Has Chorus tech trickeld down
> to Centaur as well?
>
> Someone told me it was a significant reduction in quality from Chorus to Centaur, at least in the
> past. Bushings vs. bearings...Mexico vs. Italy. Care to expound on this, please? TIA
 
Mark A. Clark wrote:

> I run Record 10 on my road bike and have Centaur 10 on an all-rounder/rain bike. The Centaur from
> my point on view seems to work just as well as the Record--not as pretty or quite as light tho.
>
> Centuar is the best bang for the buck out there in a gruppo IMO.

I agree. I have Ultegra and it's fine. I got an Ultegra bike at a really good price. But if I were
building from scratch and/or paying full retail for my gear, I'd go with Centaur, for all the
reasons mentioned and more. Even Veloce works fine and looks great. But Centaur looks a even nicer,
has more easily serviceable hubs, and is lighter. Chorus is lighter and shinier still, but getting
into the gilding the lily category, IMO.

However, Campy doesn't offer anything but mainstream standard road gearing. So if you prefer
something else, Shimano is a better bet -- you can mix road and MTB parts, etc.

Matt O.
 
Originally posted by Douglas Estok

You're one of several folks who've suggested Centaur. A guy from one of the forums offered me an
unused mini grouppo of '03 Centaur, never installed, fairly cheap. Has Chorus tech trickeld down to
Centaur as well?

Someone told me it was a significant reduction in quality from Chorus to Centaur, at least in the
past. Bushings vs. bearings...Mexico vs. Italy. Care to expound on this, please? TIA

Have a look at Campagnolo's spare parts catalogue at:
http://www.campagnolo.com/techinfo.php?did=c
Look, for example, at hubs. Parts with "RE" in front of the number are Record. Notice that most of the wear parts are the same in Record, Chorus and Centaur except where titanium alloy or carbon/epoxy composite is used in the more expensive ones to save a little weight.

You soon get the impression that functionally and as far as wear is concerned, Centaur will be just as good as Chorus and Record, but a little heavier, a little less shiny and a lot cheaper.

John Retchford
 
On 28 Jan 2004 14:17:46 GMT, [email protected] (Qui si parla
Campagnolo) wrote:

<Snip>

><< Someone told me it was a significant reduction in quality from Chorus to Centaur, at least in
>the past. Bushings vs. bearings. >><BR><BR>
>
>Not so, the hubs bearings, innards as well as the lever innards, are EC-RE parts, Record parts. The
>rings are Chorus rings, The rear der is almost identical, same pulleys, for instance.

Actually, the bearings vs. bushings issue that someone mentioned was in reference to the levers,
though I can't recall if it was the braking or shifting mechanism(s). Both? He claimed the Chorus
used bearings, while Centaur was bushings. That was also '03 vintage, FWIW.
 
"Qui si parla Campagnolo" <[email protected]> a écrit dans le message de :
news:[email protected]...
> dje-<< Has Chorus tech trickeld down to Centaur as well? >><BR><BR>
>
> Not as much as '03 Record has to '04 Chorus. Centaur remains the best value, IMO, as it is Record
> performance with just
a
> wee bit more weight.
>
> << Someone told me it was a significant reduction in quality from Chorus to Centaur, at least in
> the past. Bushings vs. bearings. >><BR><BR>
>
> Not so, the hubs bearings, innards as well as the lever innards, are EC-RE parts, Record parts.
> The rings are Chorus rings, The rear der is almost identical, same pulleys, for instance.
>
I generally agree. I have a 1998 Chorus group on one bike, and a 2003 Centaur on the other.
Virtually no difference, EXCEPT that the Chorus shifting levers ride on bearings, and the Centaur
remain on bushings. And, you can feel it. I happened on a sale-priced Veloce front derailleur (2003)
and it is identical to the '98 Chorus.

It goes without saying, that they all work just fine...
--

Bonne route,

Sandy Paris FR
 
My understanding is that Centaur is bushings while Record/Chorus is ball bearings. There is a slight
difference in feel between my Centaur and Record levers, but no discernible difference in shifting
performance.

Markq

Douglas Estok wrote:
> On 28 Jan 2004 14:17:46 GMT, [email protected] (Qui si parla Campagnolo) wrote:
>
> <Snip>
>
>><< Someone told me it was a significant reduction in quality from Chorus to Centaur, at least in
>>the past. Bushings vs. bearings. >><BR><BR>
>>
>>Not so, the hubs bearings, innards as well as the lever innards, are EC-RE parts, Record parts.
>>The rings are Chorus rings, The rear der is almost identical, same pulleys, for instance.
>
>
> Actually, the bearings vs. bushings issue that someone mentioned was in reference to the levers,
> though I can't recall if it was the braking or shifting mechanism(s). Both? He claimed the Chorus
> used bearings, while Centaur was bushings. That was also '03 vintage, FWIW.
 
On 28 Jan 2004 14:17:46 GMT, [email protected] (Qui si parla
Campagnolo) wrote:

>Not as much as '03 Record has to '04 Chorus. Centaur remains the best value, IMO, as it is Record
>performance with just a wee bit more weight.

I believe that '04 Chorus no longer had the "ball bearing" wherever that was and it is like Centaur
with CF levers.

I like black levers and my Record 10 and Mirage w 10 sp shift disk work the same. I actually prefer
the feel of the Mirage plastic over the shiny, smooth finish on Record.
 
"Mark A. Clark" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My understanding is that Centaur is bushings while Record/Chorus is ball bearings. There is a
> slight difference in feel between my Centaur and Record levers, but no discernible difference in
> shifting performance.

I think you have to try really, really hard to discern a difference and, if you do, there's a good
chance you're hallucinating.

>
> Markq
>
> Douglas Estok wrote:
> > On 28 Jan 2004 14:17:46 GMT, [email protected] (Qui si parla Campagnolo) wrote:
> >
> > <Snip>
> >
> >><< Someone told me it was a significant reduction in quality from Chorus to Centaur, at least in
> >>the past. Bushings vs. bearings. >><BR><BR>
> >>
> >>Not so, the hubs bearings, innards as well as the lever innards, are
EC-RE
> >>parts, Record parts. The rings are Chorus rings, The rear der is almost identical, same pulleys,
> >>for instance.
> >
> >
> > Actually, the bearings vs. bushings issue that someone mentioned was in reference to the levers,
> > though I can't recall if it was the braking or shifting mechanism(s). Both? He claimed the
> > Chorus used bearings, while Centaur was bushings. That was also '03 vintage, FWIW.
>

Robin Hubert
 
Robin Hubert <[email protected]> wrote:
: I think you have to try really, really hard to discern a difference and, if you do, there's a good
: chance you're hallucinating.

well, i can think of worse mistakes to make when hallucinating.

<groan>
--
david reuteler [email protected]
 
> On 28 Jan 2004 14:17:46 GMT, [email protected] (Qui si parla
> Campagnolo) wrote:
>>Not as much as '03 Record has to '04 Chorus. Centaur remains the best value, IMO, as it is Record
>>performance with just a wee bit more weight.

Paul Kopit wrote:
> I believe that '04 Chorus no longer had the "ball bearing" wherever that was and it is like
> Centaur with CF levers.
>
> I like black levers and my Record 10 and Mirage w 10 sp shift disk work the same. I actually
> prefer the feel of the Mirage plastic over the shiny, smooth finish on Record.

Paul, you're not alone. We've built Centaur and Chorus bikes with that lever to customer request and
we've been building Mirage Ten Ergos for three years.

The "wherever" is the pivot of the shift assembly inside the lever housing. Other Campagnolo levers
use a bronze journal, similar to almost every other shifter I've ever seen, and equally responsive
to a dash of lubricant.

The bronze sleeve is 8mm ID, 10mm long. In the Record model, twin cartridge bearings are 9mm bore
and back-to-back provide 12mm of support.

The 2004 catalog and website don't say either way for Chorus, I have not seen the small parts book
for 2004 yet and Campagnolo's CD is late as well. I've sold through again and will be out until
Friday. Does anyone know for certain?

Like so many things here I am my usual insensitive self. If there's a pea under that mattress I'll
take your word for it because I just can't tell.

--
Andrew Muzi www.yellowjersey.org Open every day since 1 April, 1971
 
"David Reuteler" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Robin Hubert <[email protected]> wrote:
> : I think you have to try really, really hard to discern a difference and,
if
> : you do, there's a good chance you're hallucinating.
>
> well, i can think of worse mistakes to make when hallucinating.
>
> <groan>

Constipated?

Robin Hubert
 
> Qui si parla Campagnolo wrote: [talking about cartridge bearings or bushings in Campy Ergo levers]
>> I cannot 'feel' any difference between cart and bushing and I challenge anybody else to as well.

dvt wrote:
> Then why do they put the bearings in the more expensive levers? Durability? I can't imagine that
> they're using it as a selling point. Most people don't have any idea if their levers have bushings
> or bearings.

Well, it's lost on me.

I think the cartridge bearing is there just so the catalog can say "ball bearing".

I am not a designer, but if you asked me to make a shifter I would pivot everything on a steel shaft
running in a bronze or aluminum bushing. Or the inverse. Maybe Delrin for a Mirage model. Which is
how nearly every other shifter works.

A simple journal seems adequate. I mean it's not as if they spin at 90rpm for fifty thousand
revolutions or anything . And the 'lesser' models have a really nice journal.
--
Andrew Muzi www.yellowjersey.org Open every day since 1 April, 1971
 
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