Originally Posted by DanDare .
I can't find any evidence that Athena gear shifters are alloy either, 3 major suppliers i've now contacted say they're all composite. Campy website doesn't say.
Apparently, specs are a moving target & subject to change ...
- I believe that 2012 Athena shifters were the first year when they (and, some other Campagnolo shifters) incorporated the PowerShift mechanism instead of the UltraShift mechanism
While I can assure you that a pair of 2012 (
silver-or-black) 11-speed ATHENA shifters which have alloy brake levers also have alloy shift paddles, I certainly do not know what a pair of 2013 Athena shifters will have.
While I prefer alloy over composite-or-even-CF on my shifters, too, I have used both Mirage, Chorus, and Record shifters which have composite shift paddles for about 10+ years without any
perceivable problems ...
When in doubt, buy NOS.
BTW. Now that I know there is
a possible demand, if your REALLY need-or-want a pair of 11-speed PowerShift levers which have BLACK alloy brake levers & BLACK alloy shift paddles then I can sell you a pair
for a HUGE premium ...
- of course, I actually recommend that you simply consider buying a pair of 'silver' levers which have 'silver' shift paddles to ensure that the shift paddles are alloy instead of composite.