Campagnolo Daytona

Price Paid:  $450.00 at FSA.com

Favorite Ride:
Downhill, with the wind

Bike Setup:
Gunnar Roadie, Wipperman chain, Mavic Open Pro rims, Michelin Axial Pro (25mm) tires.

Summary:
First off, I'm not exactly a "recreational" rider. I'm a former USCF Masters racer, and I still ride hard and fast. At 6'3" and 195 lb, I'm not exactly small. Over the last 30 years, I've used just about every brand of components out there, and Campy still gets my vote for the best there is. This is the second frame I've had this group on, and have had exactly zero problems with any aspect of performance. I've ridden several Ultegra equipped bikes, and am completely unimpressed. The brand "S" stuff feels absolutely cheesy by comparison: the shifting is vague, the brakes are mushy, and the overall sense of quality just ain't there. And for those who whine about the plastic on the QR skewers, take a close look at Ultegra some time: there's easily 5 times as much plastic in that group.
I was only going to give it 4 stars, since it's not top of the line, but for its market niche, it's close enough to perfect, so 5 stars it is.

Strengths:
Smooth, solid, high quality feel. Everything works exactly as it should. 10 speeds! It's Campy. IT'S NOT SHIMANO!!!

Weaknesses:
Brakes don't open wide enough for my 25mm Michelin Axial Pro tires. The "Perma-link" in the 10-spd chain is a pain.

Similar Products Used:
Ultegra, old Campy, Suntour, old Dura Ace.

Price Paid:  $410.00

Bike Setup:
Colnago OvalMaster Frame / Campy Zonda Wheelset / Chorus Headset, pedals, seatpost

Summary:
Now called 'CENTAUR GRUPO' but basically same as the 'Daytona'grupo of 2000, 2001.

I went with the triple nine-speed as I wanted the strength of a thicker chain. I live in Taiwan where we have lots of long, high mountain ranges and the triple comes in very handy.

Absolutely recommend this grupo to anyone who wants smooth shifts, nice finishing and craftsmanship, dependability. From day 1 I've had no problems at all. It has very precise shifting, low noise and just built solid, no 'plastic' or cheap looking parts at all.

Strengths:
Great shifting (9 speed), nice 'trimming' of front derailure, great looking and built to last.

Weaknesses:
NONE

Similar Products Used:
MTB SHIMANO XT, XTR

Price Paid:  $1300.00 at Local Bike Shop

Favorite Ride:
Morrow Bay

Bike Setup:
Bianchi Daytona 10 speed.... Out of the box (low priced) race bike that couldn't stand up to a 200 lbs. rider.

Summary:
Bottom Bracket screamed (made noises from the beginning) had to be replaced. The chain broke and took out the rear derailleur. Shifters started to skip gears. Soooo, I replaced the broken bits with Chorus and I've been happy since. The Chorus BB made for a tight fit and the crank arms are now within a 1/8th inch of the chain stays. The Daytona hubs are a replacement for the Bianchi standard Levitation wheelset that I broke spokes (only 16 per wheel) on way to often to remember. The Daytona hubs on Mavic Open Pro (32 spokes) ended that problem. Brakes and the front derailleur are fine.

Strengths:
I got a great price. On the up side, Campagnolo rebuilt my Daytona shifters. They are a backup for the Chorus.

Weaknesses:
I'm about 200 pounds. I kill gear and Daytona was no exception..... Buy the higher priced gear if you do 150-200 miles a week and have my weight.

Similar Products Used:
None. The last bike I owned had Very old Shimano seven speed (pre-index shifting).... But lasted over three years.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
50 + miles

Bike Setup:
Litespeed

Summary:
I have been using the Daytona gruppo for over a year now. Put about 4000 miles on it. This is a very smooth shifting drive train. It took a good 800 miles to get it broken in but now it shifts flawlessly without any adjustments since the past 3000 miles. All the components are superstrong and very good looking.

Strengths:
10 speed at a very reasonable price. Just love the shifting.

Weaknesses:
Needs wet lube as recommended by campy. With dry lubs the drivetrain is noisy.

Similar Products Used:
Shimano Ultegra

Price Paid:  $600.00 at Trak Cycles Melbourn

Favorite Ride:
Andrews Hill King Lake

Bike Setup:
Ciombola Steel (Dedacciai Sat 14.5) Custom bike with Mavic Open Pro CD rims.

Summary:
I have the 9 speed Daytona because I get a stronger and hopefully longer lasting chain (and aftermarket choice too) than the narrow 10 speed. I have the whole groupset except that I use Connex Whipperman chains (2 of on rotation). I'm really happy with it as a value for money groupset. You get the best bits of Chorus without the cost I think. It is shifting flawlessly so far.

Strengths:
Quality at a budget price. Works really really well in shifting and braking. Hubs roll really smooth.

Weaknesses:
Some plastic bits like the clamps on the hubs may not last. Cost of parts (like genuine cogs) is high.

Similar Products Used:
Only Shimano MTB stuff.