Campag Veloce or Centaur

Malcolm said:

I'm looking for a groupset for an Audax/Training bike and
am thinking Campag Centaur or Veloce (triples), any views
on these groupsets ?

Go for Centaur if you can comfortably afford it, otherwise
Veloce is decent enough.

Both available in 9 and 10-speed versions (although only a
few dealers have 9sp Centaur/Daytona). 9sp is cheaper and
cheaper to run when it comes to replacing chains &
cassettes. Note that current-9sp Campag can be upgraded to
10sp without having to replace much.

Centaur......
- Is Lighter.
- Chainrings are better (forged & machined versus pressed).
- Ergos, crank arms and brakes are very similar (Centaur
Ergos have hole in finger levers).
- Hubs are completely different and superior.

If you fancy non-standard chainring sizes, you could have a
Mirage or Veloce chainset and swap ring(s) for TAs*. Mirage
brakes are also just as good as (or better than) Veloce and
Centaur's if you change the shoes for Kool Stops.

* Specialites TA chainrings: v good quality and full choice
of sizes but chain doesn't shift gear so well on them (at
least with the sizes I've tried).

~PB

Malcolm said:

I'm looking for a groupset for an Audax/Training bike and
am thinking Campag Centaur or Veloce (triples), any views
on these groupsets ?

I have the 2001 9-speed Veloce triple set on my Roberts
Audax, and it's served me well these past three years and
7700 miles, commuting in all weathers. I'm on my third
cassette, having left the first chain change too long (3500
miles), but everything else is fine. Indexing has not needed
any adjustment, and Ergopower rocks wrt downtube levers.

My only complaint would be that the transmission is a bit
noisy if lubricated with one of your new-fangled "dry"
lubricants, but 3-in-1 makes it run super-smooth (and
filthy...).

I have no experience with Centaur.

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