Record™: heart and reason
Always a synonym of absolute excellence, the Record™ groupset is the perfect balance between passion for cycling and the most advanced technology available on the market...
Bike Setup: Specialized Tarmac Pro SL (2009), Record 10 (2008), keo sprints, Easton Ec90slx, Spec avatar saddle, Reynolds assault Conti GP4 season 23/25 tires, Token stem/plug, and Alligator I-Link cables
Summary: I've been road cycling consistnatly since 1987.
The ergonomics and feel of the product is impressive even before you start assembling the bike. The shifting is very easy to dial in, and it runs perfectly quiet.
the shifting performance is what I like. A heavy click/clunk makes sure the chain gets to the right cog immediately. The crankset with ultratorque bb is simply the best. WAY better than the GXP bb from truvativ/sram.
The brake pads align perfectly, with fully rotational adjustment. The braking is perfect. Strong and confidence inspiring, that allows you to seek the limits of traction and back off before you wipe out.
After about 300 miles, I installed I-Link cables, instead of the standard Campy cables, and it enhanced the performance even further.
I've ridden Dura-ace, ultegra, 10-9 and 8 speed groups.
Gone are the days of strange ticking and creaking from unknown places. It makes a silent, perfect riding experience. Well worth the extra money.
Campagnolo record is a timeless classic, if there ever was one.
Strengths: Silent, positive drivetrain, stiff cranks. Superbe bearings. Fantastic breaking. perfect threads during installation. great ergonomics. Easy to adjust perfectly, and keep that way. Value is wonderful despite higher price.
Weaknesses: new 11 speed will make this 10 speed obsolete! None!
Similar Products Used: Dura-ace 10-9-8, Chorus 10-9, Ultegra 10-9, Athena, Victory, and Nuovo Record
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Bike Setup: Cervelo R3, Campy Record group, Easton EA90 SL wheels, Michelin Krylon Tires, Thomson Masterpiece seatpost and X2 stem, Selle SMP saddle, Ultegra pedals
Summary: I could not be happier. After 6 years and over 13k, it still performs like the day I installed it. The quality and precision of Campagnolo can’t be beat. Yes it’s expensive, but you get what you pay for. You buy the best because you expect durability and performance and Campy delivers.
This is my third frame my Record group has been on. You always find a reason to replace something that did not live up to your expectation. Not so with my Campy Record. Secretly I wish it would wear out so I could have a reason to tell the wife why I need to replace it with the new Record 11.
I finally made the switch from DA after spending too much of my precious riding time making adjustments. I was tired of the rubbing FD and sticking shifter. With Campy you never hear about a crank that won’t stay tightened or a FD that has issues, just rock solid performance. The only parts I have replaced were the brake hoods that were worn smooth and the brake pads. If you want to save a few $$$ go with Chorus. You only sacrifice a few grams and the carbon bling.
Strengths: Durable, reliability and you can repair it.
Weaknesses: Price.
Similar Products Used: Ultegra, Dura Ace
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Bike Setup: Basso Zer0.9, Campy Record including hubs laced to Mavic Open Pro rims.
Summary: After 5 years of use and 20k (km) on this group what can I say...The original cassette is still good (cog 21 is showing signs of age) and the right lever, which was involved in two major crashes, finally needs some parts replaced. Everything else is perfect, including cables and casings which are original (read 5 years old). The replacement parts for the lever will set me back $20 (oh, the humanity).
Strengths: Shifting - spot on, always.
Adjusting - set it and forget it.
Rebuildability - the biggest value, for me, lies here, especially now when ergo parts (especially the ones that wear out) are widely available.
Weaknesses: Initial cost of the group, but as the years go by you realize what you have paid for. Cost of long term usage is minimal
Similar Products Used: Shimano 105 8 speed.
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Bike Setup: 06 Litespeed, Zipp 404's, Easton Ec 90slx fork, Deda Bar, Look Ti pedals
Summary: WOW. I was quite happy with my Dura-Ace set-up until I rode a friends bike with Campy. It was so much smoother and quieter that I decided when my components were worn to switch. With Record prices dropping I picked up a complete set including skeleton brakes. Every thing is smoother, quieter, and, more precise.
Strengths: Precision Shifting.
Weaknesses: Still on the pricey side but, it was worth every penny.
Similar Products Used: Ultegra, Dura-Ace
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Summary: I've ridden Shimano for 15 years and then some SRAM, and it was only after a few brifters and derailleurs failed on me and I started making significantly more than minimum wage that I decided to give Campy a shot.
You can't really be told how much better it is. You have to see, install, and ride it to appreciate the VAST improvement Record is to Red or Dura-Ace. The engineering is better. The machining is more precise. The finish is smoother. The shifting is more definitive. The look is more professional.
If you have an engineering background, the other bottom bracket / bearing designs alone seem amateurish compared to the elegance of Campy cups; it's simply the way it should have been done from the very beginning and if you only consider this feature alone you already wouldn't consider any other groupo.
The shifters are beautiful, the brakes work great, the cranks feel so fantastically solid yet light, the shifts are effortless and precise. I could go on and on... Spend the extra $400, it's worth it in the long run. And yes you'll become a snob, but really, you KNOW you really just always wanted to be that guy riding Campy!
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