Shimano vs Campagnolo

[Mr Will]

I'm looking at buying a Bianchi on the Ride2Work scheme, but have a choice of what level of components to go for. Now I pretty much understand how the Shimano range fits together, but the bike is also available with Campagnolo Xenon bits as an alternative.

What are these roughly equivalent to in the Shimano range? Are they Sora level or a step up?

Is there anything else to consider when choosing between the two?

[Parsnip]

Personally, I am not a fan of Campy stuff - the thumb shifter and the shape of the hoods just don't get on well with my paws - same with SRAM - rode a bike with Red shifters and hated it - I'm no die hard Shimano fan, but it's what works for me. Best suggestion is to try them out.

[Justayellowbadge]

Xenon closer to Tiagra.

A Bianchi somehow wouldn't seem right without Campy on it, surely?

How you getting on with the Campag?

[shouldbworking]

I've recently gone to a bike with a campag set rather than shimano and it seems to shift cleaner, though that could be the setup.

Can't say I find the thumb shifters an issue. The finger ones have a bit too much fore and aft play in them to my mind but work just fine.

[okgo]

Justayellowbadge said:

Xenon closer to Tiagra.

A Bianchi somehow wouldn't seem right without Campy on it, surely?

How you getting on with the Campag?

Had a bike ten minutes and you already sound like someone from weightweenies

Will.

I like Shimano, couldn't care less about buying an itallian bike and sticking jap gearing on it. It works, its world renowned, and EVERY bike shop will know what it is. Many smaller shops will not stock or work with Campag, so I based my choice around that.

[mowog]

It usually comes down to rider preference in terms of 'shifting feel' and comfort on the hoods. I happen to have a preference for Campy which IMHO is more aesthetically pleasing!

Try both and see what you like

[shalmaneser]

Unless you're spending well over a grand (ie putting your own money down as well) I'd look elsewhere other than Bianchi at that price...They're not great value at the lower end of the market at all.

[okgo]

How so?

The via Nirons 105 they do at just over a grand looks comparable to every other brand out there for the money...

[Mr Will]

shalmaneser said:

Unless you're spending well over a grand (ie putting your own money down as well) I'd look elsewhere other than Bianchi at that price...They're not great value at the lower end of the market at all.

I'm looking to spend anywhere between 600 and 1000, tied in to Evans and want something a little bit different. Any suggestions?

[t84]

I bought a Bianchi Via Nirone 105 from Evans, incredibly happy with my choice, lovely bike.

[okgo]

You looked at BMC Will?

Certainly different, and good value too. Mine is down in the bikerack with green bar tape if you want a browse.

[shalmaneser]

okgo said:

How so?

The via Nirons 105 they do at just over a grand looks comparable to every other brand out there for the money...

Horrible crank, fairly unpleasant wheels and the frame isn't really all that, for the money I'd be looking at the Cannondale CAAD 8 105 or maybe the CAAD 9 Tiagra.

The CAAD frames are gorgeous (the '9 particularly so) and the '9 with a wheel swap in good time will make a stunning bike. Difference between Tiagra and 105 is minimal, if you've not fallen for this 10 speed bumf.

Alternatively some of the Fujis or BMCs offer much better kit, although the frames aren't anything special.

[okgo]

So if the frames aren't anything special how does Evans stay comeptitive riding a BMC in le tour?

I'm not sure if anyone rides Fuji but I think they do, so how would you answer this?

[t84]

From what I've ridden in the grand mark, as long as you're not a die hard prancing cycling knob, they all ride the fking same anyway.

All IMO of course.

[shalmaneser]

Woah!

Just saying the frames aren't as nice as the Cannondale!!!!

And you know fully well how much a tour frame will vary from a £1000 punter spec ally frame.

The top range BMC and Fuji frames are works of art, as are the Cannondale and Bianchi frames. But at £1000 the fuji frames aren't that nice, and I'm not a fan of the BMC frames which look a bit industrial to me, although they are more interesting than the Fuji frames. And from looking closely and riding the Bianchi frame I can't see it being any noticeably better than the Fuji frames.

[t84]

I didn't mean that in an aggressive way by the way It did come across a bit strong!

I'm just saying I rode a few and couldn't tell the difference to be honest

Edited by t84 on Thursday 15th July 11:48

[shalmaneser]

t84 said:

I didn't mean that in an aggressive way by the way It did come across a bit strong!

I'm just saying I rode a few and couldn't tell the difference to be honest

Edited by t84 on Thursday 15th July 11:48

Your broadly correct, hence why I generally recommend Fujis. At this price range you're better off playing top trumps with the parts instead of reading the name painted on the side. But as I said the CAAD 9 really is a very lovely frame, for which you can make certain sacrifices on the component front.

[okgo]

so next question.

what is so good about the cannondale frame? It doesn't look all that this year in boring black, so why is it so special.

[Justayellowbadge]

Justayellowbadge said:

How you getting on with the Campag?

[shalmaneser]

okgo said:

so next question.

what is so good about the cannondale frame? It doesn't look all that this year in boring black, so why is it so special.

Just very light and a very smooth ride indeed from an aluminium frame, which is all you can ask for really.

As for the colour, ever hear of 'speak loudly and wear a quiet tie'

I think this looks nice though, FWIW.

Edited by shalmaneser on Thursday 15th July 12:09