in no way do i wish to cause you any grief but...

[kedab]

i've been away for a bit. no, not 'away', i've not been a naughty boy, i've just not got my backside on this forum quite as often as i might like...i have come back to my fellow CC'ers with a question though. it's not one of, 'which is better? who's got the biggest swingers?' or any such malarkey but more of a, 'will it come naturally? even for a virgin?', type question...intrigued you are...i can tell. So, without further ado:

i'm selling my TCR which of course has a 105 grouspet.

i have fallen quite spectacularly in love with the De Rosa R838...you see where this is going?

it's got Campagnolo on it! Athena to be precise. I've never even fondled Campy though i know from a bit of research that it operates in quite a different way to Shimano. Which leads me back to the point of my thread...without getting all fanboy about it the respective qualities of each, am i going to have a rude awakening if i order this bike without having at least tested Campy out? or am i safe to leave it and come to it bright and fresh as newly fallen snow?

 

[boydj]

I ride mainly Campag. When I take out my Shimano bike, it takes only a couple of minutes and a couple of gear changes to lock in on which shifters I'm using. They're not so very different.

 

[accountantpete]

I too have Campy - no problem as they shift in reasonably similar ways. In fact Campy shifters are not as temperamental.

One thing I would be wary of - that Athena groupset may have the dreaded Power Torque which is Campy's version of Hollowtech.

I haven't tried it but there are plenty irate punters with this system. Try and get something with Ultra Torque which is Campys tried and trusted chainset option.

 

[Broadside]

@kedab I have no idea if this is true or not but when a friend was looking seriously at the R838 there was rumour that is was actually the same frame as the Ribble Stealth which was about £500 cheaper....

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-de-rosa-r838-11-43199 have a look at the comments on this link and then Google R838 Ribble Stealth. I might be wrong but thought I would mention it. I still think the De Rosa is a lovely bike BTW.

 

[accountantpete]

@kedab I have no idea if this is true or not but when a friend was looking seriously at the R838 there was rumour that is was actually the same frame as the Ribble Stealth which was about £500 cheaper....

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-de-rosa-r838-11-43199 have a look at the comments on this link and then Google R838 Ribble Stealth. I might be wrong but thought I would mention it. I still think the De Rosa is a lovely bike BTW.

I always thought that they used the same open mould but used different carbon - but anyway make your own mind up.

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40042&t=12829744

 

[Dusty Bin]

@kedab I have no idea if this is true or not but when a friend was looking seriously at the R838 there was rumour that is was actually the same frame as the Ribble Stealth which was about £500 cheaper....

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-de-rosa-r838-11-43199 have a look at the comments on this link and then Google R838 Ribble Stealth. I might be wrong but thought I would mention it. I still think the De Rosa is a lovely bike BTW.

Both frames are from the same generic mould, also available from Carbonzone and probably others too. The only issue is whether you think the De Rosa decals are worth an extra £500. De Rosa claim that their version has a different carbon lay-up. Whether this is true, and if so whether it makes any practical difference to the ride is another matter...

 

[kedab]

ooooh so it didn't even turn into a campy vs shimano debate but a De Rosa /Ribble debate...verrrrry interesting. there's clearly enough evidence to suggest that the ribble frame is the same as the de-rosa, is a different lay up worth an extra £500? it is if you're 100% sure that's the case...i'm not so sure...it is still a lovely looking bike but i think, fickle human that i am, i've found another...anyone got personal experience of a vo2 bike? I'm looking at the revolution 2 with a campy groupset...just over 2.5k for what is (compared to the Defy Advanced i started out wanting to upgrade to), not exactly 'common'

 

[kedab]

I too have Campy - no problem as they shift in reasonably similar ways. In fact Campy shifters are not as temperamental.

One thing I would be wary of - that Athena groupset may have the dreaded Power Torque which is Campy's version of Hollowtech.

I haven't tried it but there are plenty irate punters with this system. Try and get something with Ultra Torque which is Campys tried and trusted chainset option.

*goes off to do some research in a bit of a huff*

 

[lukesdad]

I tried campy for the first time (mixture of veloce and centaur) and was dissapointed in the quality. Bolts and brake springs corroding and cracked front mech mount and totally borked right shifter. never again !

 

[ColinJ]

I tried campy for the first time (mixture of veloce and centaur) and was dissapointed in the quality. Bolts and brake springs corroding and cracked front mech mount and totally borked right shifter. never again !

Whereas I bought the 1999 edition of Athena for my then Bianchi, and it later got transferred to my Basso and is still going strong! (I managed to break the front derailleur after 10 years, by forcing it against a badly adjusted endstop. I also cracked a crank that year.)

I have had 10 years trouble-free use from the Chorus groupset on my Cannondale, though that has seen lighter duties as my best, fairweather bike.

 

[kedab]

it's definitely a marmite problem. as i've said, i've never tried Campy. I'm having a bike built and thought i'd look at as many options as possible. i very nearly 'went Shimano' simply because i've not ridden anything else - i've not been riding as an adult all that long and though i love to read and research and love the history of the sport, i''ve not got a massive amount of practical experience (let's call it 3 years)...once my wonderful TCR is sold i will be in a position to confirm with VO2 and they'll go ahead an begin the build...with Campy. In for a penny, in for just shy of 2.8k and all that, eh!

as usual, fanks a bunch for all the advice and opinion you luvverly people

 

[Dusty Bin]

Please stop calling it 'Campy' - only Americans do that. The correct abbreviation is 'Campag'.
Calling it 'Campy' is a bit.....camp...

 

[kedab]

Please stop calling it 'Campy' - only Americans do that. The correct abbreviation is 'Campag'.
Calling it 'Campy' is a bit.....camp...

If you can show me where, in the Big Book of Cycling Abbreviations, it is written that nobody but Americans do, can or should call Campagnolo, 'Campy', then I will happily concede your point, until then, try to live and let live a little, eh?! Y'all have a nice day now.

 

[DooDah]

i'm selling my TCR which of course has a 105 grouspet. .

Ooh, dribble, dribble, checks bank balance

 

[kedab]

Its on eBay @ £750 - 6 days left on the auction. seller = dajoby2012 = me :-)