Campanagolo or DURA ACE?

DEBO said:

What do you recommend? I'm going to buy a dura ace grupo, but want to make sure its the best component set on the face of the planet.

Going to get some interesting replies to this one. 😄

Shimano vs Campy, when comparing DA to Record, is first going to come down to trying to describe how you wish to define "best." You'll never get agreement.

Campy has style and tradition. Shimano has cost effectiveness (relatively speaking) and commonality to it. Both have their idiosyncratic sides and both you'll find on the bikes of winning riders. I'd go with what gruppo manufacturer you are familiar with from previous riding.

OK, turn around and go to the end of the line. You'll have to wait your turn at beating the dead horse. Or you might want to do a search.

RC2 said:

OK, turn around and go to the end of the line. You'll have to wait your turn at beating the dead horse. Or you might want to do a search.

They are both outstanding. I currently have Record 10. It's light, precise, stylish and functional. Another plus is it is easy to buy individual parts for it and it's rebuildable. Plus Campy 9 and Campy 10 share a lot of compatibilty, where DA 9 and DA 10 do not. Dura Ace, on the other hand is less expensive, on the cutting edge of technology and most LBS's carry everything in stock. Campy is harder to find at shops, but easy to get on line. You really can't go wrong with either, it's just a matter of preference.
😎

RC2 said:

OK, turn around and go to the end of the line. You'll have to wait your turn at beating the dead horse. Or you might want to do a search.

Agree a search is in order. This question is posted at least once a month. Believe the last thread on this subject had several hundred replies, with no resolution of the question "best component set on the planet".

What does "best on the planet" mean anyway? Bet each of us has a different definition and weighting of values here.

I'm just glad we have a choice. In fact, wherever possible, I prefer "non-Shimano/Campy": FSA, Thomson, Easton, Ritchey, SRAM, etc. Believe you get more for your money, and a wider choice, from the "aftermarket" manufacturers.

I think the only thing that matters is which set of shifter/brake levers your hands are more comfortable using.

And now with Dura Ace 10 the price difference isn't all that much.

This is a loaded question....

I'm currently using Campy Record Ultra on my Six13, I like the one-click to move multiple rear cogs, I also like the look of the Carbon Brakes/shifters..and Carbon/Ti Durailleurs etc...

I miss the Shimano Brake hoods, they are great to grip when out of the saddle...the Record Paddles get in the way of my thumbs when I do this...

Record changes smoothly and consistently...so does dura-ace...errrmmmm...I guess I like both for different reasons...

Try and ride one of each before you decide...

DEBO said:

What do you recommend? I'm going to buy a dura ace grupo, but want to make sure its the best component set on the face of the planet.

If youve got little hands go campag, big hands go shimano. Anyone who tells you that theres a big difference between the two is pulling your leg. Only differences are asthetic and crank stiffness due to the outboard bearings v square taper. Most people wouldnt be able to tell the difference anyway.

I've never had anything but Campy on my bikes since I started racing, except for a brief stint of 600 Ultegra in the late 80s when the RD exploded on a climb... switched to Campy and never went back. A friend of mine had a Cannondale with Dura Ace and he was always poking at me blah blah Record this, Shimano is better than that.. well he got a new Cannondale with Record and he says he'll never use Dura Ace again! It all comes down to personal preference... as mentioned earlier, Campagnolo spare parts are available readily, draw back is finding Campy in a local bike store is rare, even finding DA in a store as parts is rare...

As for you mentioning the Dura Ace being cheaper then Record, shop around and I bet you'll fnd Record cheaper then Dura Ace! I just got my 05 Record group from Ireland at Christmas for $600 less then for what I would pay if I got it in Canada or the US... and then everyone asks why I don't support the local bike shop!!

CampagnoloBora said:

I just got my 05 Record group from Ireland at Christmas for $600 less then for what I would pay if I got it in Canada or the US... and then everyone asks why I don't support the local bike shop!!

Much of that is just the difference in currency exchange rates now with the dollar being so worthless compared to the Euro/pound/lira. Lately it's cheaper to buy Campy from Yurp and have it shipped over than to buy it in the US from an LBS.

I like Campy better than Shimano for various reasons already stated. However, you might want to see if you can ride both groups, properly installed and adjusted of course, before you make your decision.

You may prefer Shimano - YOU are the one that has to live with the bike so get what works best for you.

ahimsa said:

And now with Dura Ace 10 the price difference isn't all that much.

Only one difference ( well two but it´s the same thing ) :-

Campag wears in and then gradually wears out but can be easily rebuilt by a competent mechanic ie not all bike shops can do it .
Shimano works until it breaks then costs a fortune to HAVE it rebuilt by the agents ( takes time and is expensive ) though you can now buy a left or right lever on their own if you get tired of waiting .

Are you sure you really need to spend so much ? unless your very strong and ride a hell of a lot it´s unlikely you´ll notice the difference in function between Durace/ Chorus or Ultegra / Daytona ( or what ever it´s called these days ) only the lightness of your wallet afterwards .

CampagnoloBora said:

As for you mentioning the Dura Ace being cheaper then Record, shop around and I bet you'll fnd Record cheaper then Dura Ace! I just got my 05 Record group from Ireland at Christmas for $600 less then for what I would pay if I got it in Canada or the US... and then everyone asks why I don't support the local bike shop!!

Hi,
I live in Ireland and I buy most of my bike stuff from the UK. I'm curious to know who you got your Record group from?

Thanks