Centaur group feed back

If you are used to Shimano, it is probably easier to stick to it. Test ride a bike with Campy and see if the feel of it suits you although generally it takes longer than a brief test ride to really get the feel of a different system.

I use Campy and am very happy with it but that is just my preference.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by donhix1
I though maybe an italian bike needs campy

ANy feedback on Campy out there?😕
I had campy 20 years ago before index shifting so I wondered how they are now. The Ultegra I have on my bike is fantastic. I never have to adjust the derauiller and It never misses a shift even under my low full power.
Should I pay extra for the Campy name or is Shimano they way to go?

Italian bikes don't NEED Campagnolo, but I wouldn't put a Nissan gearbox in a Ferrari. Correctly adjusted Campagnolo certainly wouldn't miss a shift either under anybody's full power. Campagnolo may have been caught short early in the piece when indexed shifting came in, but have certainly bounced back in the past several years (into the lead, I believe). Some of Campagnolo's advantages in my opinion -

Can change down one or multiple rear cogs with one continous movement of the thumb if desired (Shimano requires an separate movement for each shift)

Gear change movement separated from brake lever movement (takes a little while to get used to after changing from Shimano but once you're used to it - no problem)

Tidier system with gear cables routed along bar under tape (get handlebars with two cable grooves). Shimano has gear cables sticking out of top of brake levers

10 speed available down into the middle range now (Veloce) (who needs 10 speed? - It's nice to have the option of the extra cog)

If you want to spend the big dough - Campagnolo has some nice Carbon Fibre components in the Chorus and Record ranges

Campagnolo certainly has 'STYLE' which to me Shimano hasn't quite got (personal opinion only, but I believe a lot of people agree with me)

I've had problems with Shimano before. I've used dura ace and ultegra and on both groups I have had the levers stick or miss changes for no apparent reason (I always keep my baby well mantained).
However, the second bike I bought had Daytona 10s (early Centaur). The shifts are more solid in feel and you are assured of a shift every time you push the button/lever. Brakes are much more solid too.
It is up to your personal preference. I've seen plenty of good looking DA equiped Italian bikes. I just prefer Campag because I reckon it works better.

I built up a frame in spring 2002 with a new 10 speed Chorus group. Has never had the slightest problem shifting in 1.5 years of riding. For that matter, I haven't had the slightest problem with any component in the group - shifters, brakes, crankset, BB.

Are the shifters 'better' or 'worse' than DA? Not really, they're just different. I have Ultegra STI shifters on my tandem, and have no problem going from Campy Ergo to Shimano STI. I have a slight preference for the Campy shifters, they just have a more positive feel to them, but it's only a slight preference.

Shimano on a Bianchi, though... I dunno... just doesn't seem right...

Thanks for the feed back. THe thing I remember about previous campy stuff is how nice the hubs are. Anyway I think it would be nice to have Campagnolo just because almost everyone else, especially in the states, has Shimano.
If anyone else has an opinon feel free.

My only real experience with using campag has been with my new wheels (protons) and i have to say i'm going to go campag for my next bike

My girlfriend has just aquired a new record equipped bike and i have to say in my opinion its a far nicer look than the old or new Dura Ace (she has 9 speed DA on her other bike)

The shifting is very positive on the record but the position of the hoods/levers is quite different and may not suit some people.

I'd try to get a decent test ride on a campag equipped bike before you commit to buying a full groupset