Ultegra vs Chorus

[PorkRind]

So after realising that my current bianchi seatpost insert might be beyond repair i've started looking at the sale bikes. Knowing the brand and finding it faultless for 10 years i think i'd like another bianchi and i've narrowed it down to the below two bikes. However i've never had a bike with Campag and i've a few friends in bike shops who've told me to stay with shimano - probably for cheapness/ease of setup.

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Bianchi-Oltre-XR-1-Ultegra...

vs

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Bianchi-Oltre-XR-1-Chorus-...

Is there any reason i should be getting the, in my opinion, better colour, campag kitted bike or the more steal ultegra fitted bike - theres quite a massive drop in price with the ultegra kitted bike, too..

Cheers.

[Jimbo.]

Nothing wrong with either. The biggest difference (£££ aside) is the shifters, in both operation and shape.

[mikees]

The celeste blue one - surely campy on a bianchi

[troc]

mikees said:

The celeste blue one - surely campy on a bianchi

This, it's the classic colour and it's probably written in law that you put campag on Italian bikes

[astroarcadia]

If you must buy a Bianchi you should have Campag.

[PorkRind]

Ok

[TwistingMyMelon]

I prefer the look of the Campag model, but wouldn't fancy paying the £750 more

I have 2 x Italian bikes, one with campag one with 105, the 105 bike has given me no issues/headaches and the parts are cheap and nearly every shop stocks them

Also look at the ratios and crankset, one is a 34/50 the other 36/52 etc

Brands of drivetrain dont bother me too much, but getting the right ratios does

[anonymous-user]

Buy whichever one fits your hands the best?

[Dannbodge]

Try them both and get the one that you like better.

I agree with a post above, it's not so much the make or model but the gearing available

[PorkRind]

yes, have to admit the smaller chainring and lower gears on the cassette may prove to be too low..

[TheFungle]

To use a motoring simile:

Ultegra is more akin to a modern gearbox, such as you may find in a Golf GTi; slick, efficient and perfectly adequate.

Chorus is more alike a box you would find in an MX-5; more feel in the gear change and overall more 'pleasing' to use.

A fair amount of cliche in that statement but one that I find to be true.

I would caveat in saying that Campag does require a bit more fettling to stay in tip top condition and there is a good chance a specialist tool is required for a simple task!

[mcelliott]

I ride both ultegra and chorus. To be honest I actually prefer my chorus; mechanically it's only marginal the difference, the nod going to ultegra. I've had my chorus for a good few years and hardly touched it in that time. It's still rifle bolt smooth. The ultegra is a very nice group set also but the chorus kicks it out of the park as far as looks are concerned. I have no issues with the ratios either on the campag (compact), 11 speed straight through block. Perfect for the Alps or the local chain gang.

Edited by mcelliott on Monday 8th August 20:37

[anonymous-user]

If you have time to derive a pleasant sensation from your shifting, might I suggest you stop fannying about and put some effort in...

[PorkRind]

TheFungle said:

To use a motoring simile:

Ultegra is more akin to a modern gearbox, such as you may find in a Golf GTi; slick, efficient and perfectly adequate.

Chorus is more alike a box you would find in an MX-5; more feel in the gear change and overall more 'pleasing' to use.

A fair amount of cliche in that statement but one that I find to be true.

I would caveat in saying that Campag does require a bit more fettling to stay in tip top condition and there is a good chance a specialist tool is required for a simple task!

Pro's and cons then.

The chorus equipped bike has better wheels etc too.

[scherzkeks]

Campy wears in and Shimano wears out. As true today as it ever was, IMO. My MB (2012) has XT on it and I've replaced a number of parts, including the crankset.

My road commuter, in contrast, has a 37-year old Record gruppo on it that is nearly all original. My proper bike has Record Titanium parts from 2007 that are also all original, aside from the chain, cassette, and c. rings.

[Andy OH]

I have a Wilier Cento 1 SR which I built with Chorus 11 speed, however, my chain rings are 50/39 and I run a 11-23 rear cassette. Remember you can always change your gear ratios by changing front chain rings and the rear cassette. Two of my bikes have Campag, the Wilier Cento 1 SR has full 11 speed Chorus and my Wilier La Triestina has 10 speed Centaur again with 50/39 and 11-23 cassette.

[PorkRind]

Yeah, all my tools are shimano though , and the campag kit seems to cost more than the equiv shimano to buy !

[TwistingMyMelon]

lol I remember asking the mechanic in my LBS, "Why am I replacing shimano bits , like the BB much quicker than my campag bits" He said, Campag parts cost twice as much and last twice as long, all works out the same in the end!

[PorkRind]

TwistingMyMelon said:

lol I remember asking the mechanic in my LBS, "Why am I replacing shimano bits , like the BB much quicker than my campag bits" He said, Campag parts cost twice as much and last twice as long, all works out the same in the end!

i c..

Well ive found a bike with potenza for less, is it any good. Does anyone have experience of potenza, i have to admit it looks a bit naff - compared to its competitor ultegra!?

[anonymous-user]

Does that budget get you onto an electric transmission bike?

If so, have a go and see how you get on with it. I think you might like it

Whilst I would always choose campag over shimano on a 'like for like' basis, I would go ultegra di2 over super record mechanical