Campag Question

Quoted message said:

Is Mirage at the bottom end of the Campag range? How does it compare with 105 (the minimum Shimano
I would consider)?

Thanks

Simon

If you go to the Campag site www.campagnolo.com, and click on the English language version, you can
access the fuill product range.

From bottom to top, sort of, it's Xenon Mirage Veloce Centaur Chorus Record.

I've got a Mirage/Veloce mix on my bikes and I have no problems with them.

Of course, some say ShimaNO! ;-)

Cheers, helen s

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Simonb said:

How does [Mirage] compare with 105 (the minimum Shimano I would consider)?

I haven't got enough experience with 105 to say which is "best" but I can point out some
differences, and notes on Mirage........

Mirage cranks fit (Campag) square taper bottom brackets. 105 is a splined design. Mirage inner
chainring is steel. Mirage hubs use cartridge bearings, 105 cup & cone.

Mirage Ergos (brake/gear levers) can be fully serviced and rebuilt (and converted to 10-speed).
Nothing like so easy with Shimano STI, apparently.

Mirage brake calipers are excellent, IMO, although the blocks don't have orbital adjustment (Kool
Stop shoes are a good upgrade for them).

If comparing complete bikes with these groupsets then I guess the 105'ed one would be better value
if all else is equal.

If buying parts and considering Campag, I suggest getting a mixture from various groups to get the
best for your money (I would be happy to post suggestions).

~PB

Pete Biggs said:

If buying parts and considering Campag, I suggest getting a mixture from various groups to get the
best for your money (I would be happy to post suggestions).

Nice one Pete. Since you've got the lowdown. What would be the ideal Campag selection for around
£400 (9 speed, double)?

Simon

Simonb said:

Quoted message said:

If buying parts and considering Campag, I suggest getting a mixture from various groups to get
the best for your money (I would be happy to post suggestions).

Nice one Pete. Since you've got the lowdown. What would be the ideal Campag selection for around
£400 (9 speed, double)?

That's a healthy budget if hubs aren't to be included. Less need to mix in this case as mostly-
Centaur delivers the goods nicely, IMO, if you can afford it. I've also included a suggestion for a
mixture including hubs.

EXCLUDING HUBS, seatpost, headset and pedals: (Parker International have 9sp Chorus/Centaur
Ergos & mechs)

Ergos: Chorus 2003 £144 Rear mech: Centaur £55 Front mech: Centaur £18 - £22 Chainset: Centaur £55
BB: Centaur £10 Cassette: Veloce £17 Chain: Record £12.50 Brakes: Veloce £44.50 postage: £2.50
===Total: ~£358.50===

Some notes on reasoning, etc: Chorus Ergos are signficantly lighter than the lower models and have
ball bearings for a slightly slicker action. Veloce sprockets are equal to Chorus in quality apart
from the weight saving alloy carriers. Also keeps the running costs down. But get Centaur/Chorus
instead to save weight if racing. Centaur brake caliper arms are no better than Veloce's and Veloce
pads also have orbital adjustment. On the other hand, Centaur has nicer cable adjusters. Another
alternative is Mirage brakes with Kool Stop shoes. Centaur chainset has better rings than Veloce. An
alterntive is Mirage cranks (just as good) with TA rings if you want alternative ratios. Original
Campag rings can be sold to help fund the upgrade. Chains: They're all Record. Alternative: SRAM
PC59 (I'm not quite sure if lasts as long, though).

INCLUDING HUBS (also a suggestion for a lower budget if excluding the hubs), excluding seatpost,
headset and pedals :

Hubs: Centaur £97 (or Chorus £107.50) Ergos: Centaur £86.50 Rear mech: Centaur £55 Front mech:
Centaur £18 - £22 Chainset: Veloce £38.50 (or Mirage + TA rings) BB: Centaur £10 Cassette: Veloce
£17 Chain: Record £12.50 (or SRAM PC59) Brakes: Veloce £44.50 (or Mirage with Kool Stops)
postage: £2.50
===Total: ~£381.50===

Notes: Chorus hubs same as Centaur except for QR and cones are adjusted using just a single allen
key instead of screwdriver+spanner. Very different and much better than Veloce. Veloce £73 or Mirage
£46 Ergos would save money if you didn't mind the different material/shape of the lever blades. The
gear shifting innards are the same. Veloce or even Xenon mechs will work just as well if you don't
mind the extra weight.

re CENTAUR: Beware/look out for the new "Century" grey coloured version*. Silver is still available
if preferred.
* eg. www.campagnolo.com/pics/CE-Freno_Century.jpg

LOW BUDGET suggestion for anyone else interested:

Hubs: Xenon £33 or Veloce £45 Ergos: Mirage £46 Rear mech: Xenon £19 Front mech: Xenon/Mirage £9 -
£13 (depending type/availability) Chainset: Veloce £38.50 (or Mirage/Xenon + TA rings) BB: Centaur
£10 Cassette: Veloce £17 Chain: SRAM PC59 £9 Brakes: Veloce £44.50 postage: £2.50
===Total: ~£232===

notes: Mirage hubs are no longer cheaper than Veloce (from Parker). Check what type of front hub is
supplied: new ones have cartridge bearings, which you may or may not want. I think a Mirage rear hub
is supplied with the Xenon set. Veloce chainset to avoid Mirage/Xenon's steel ring(s). Centaur BB
because it's much lighter yet only £4 more than the very cheapest. Veloce cassette because only £2
extra for chromed sprockets (don't get stained and easier to clean). Veloce brakes for orbital pad
adjustment, otherwise get Xenon/Mirage.

PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK ALL PRICES* AND SUMS via: www.parker-international.co.uk/campag-framset.htm
(probably the best prices unless you find special offers elsewhere)

~PB

I said:

LOW BUDGET suggestion for anyone else interested: Ergos: Mirage £46

Reason for Mirage over Xenon: Real Campag, ie. basicically the same design as all the higher models,
can change up more than one gear at once, ErgoBrain compatible, can be upgraded to 10-speed.

~PB

Pete Biggs wrote: <snip>

Thanks Pete! Will digest later (dinner time, 2 hungry kids). You should publish this info somewhere,
very useful. Good link, too.

Simon

Pete Biggs said:

That's a healthy budget if hubs aren't to be included. Less need to mix in this case as mostly-
Centaur delivers the goods nicely, IMO, if you can afford it. I've also included a suggestion for a
mixture including hubs.

~PB

Thank you for that Pete, I have saved that, hopefully Google will as well in case I lose my copy.

Cheers Richard

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