Athena or Ultegra

Snpiperpilot · Feb 18, 2011

My LBS has a bike that just came back in as a loaner while waiting for a custom build to be completed. The bike currently has Campy Athena on it and they'll give me a good price on that. Or, I can have them set it up the way I originally intended before this came up and install Shimano Ultegra. I'd end up paying a similar price either way. I've been riding a 105 and was looking to upgrade but the Athena also seem pretty nice.

Thoughts?

Bike Poor · Feb 18, 2011

I almost went with an Athena build on my last build up, but the cost of 11 speed cassettes kept me from it.

ewitz · Feb 18, 2011

PBK

Ultegra 1004
Athena 878

Not commenting on quality or preference only pointing out the dollar difference

Hank Stamper · Feb 18, 2011

Take it for a test ride and compare the shifting technique to that which you already know with your 105.

Don't worry about functionality. they both do the same thing more or less. Just get the ergonomics and shifting technique you like.

terbennett · Feb 18, 2011

Well, Athena is on par with 105- if it matters. That probably explains why it is cheaper.

kbwh · Feb 18, 2011

Is the Athena ultra or powershift?

JCavilia · Feb 18, 2011

A matter of taste

You should decide based on which shifting system you like. They both work fine, they're similar quality. But ergonomically they're different, and some people like one better than the other.

Snpiperpilot · Feb 18, 2011

terbennett said:
Well, Athena is on par with 105- if it matters. That probably explains why it is cheaper.

They're certainly not cheaper in the US where I am....

dcl10 · Feb 18, 2011

Athena is on special offer right now for an extra 10% off so that makes a big difference. Regular price there is only a $30 difference. Depending on where you buy it's also is available with different options like carbon cranks and cassettes that can effect the price. Also if you ever intend on selling campy has better resale value. As for performance they are both excellent and weight about the same (with carbon crank option). So I think it should come down to what ergonomics you prefer.

strathconaman · Feb 18, 2011

There are two practical reasons to go campy. 1. Do the shifters fit your hands? Some people really can't get the thumb button. 2. What other wheels do you have? If you have a whole bunch of shimano wheels, and no way of converting the hub bodies, going to Campy can get very expensive.

Snpiperpilot · Feb 18, 2011

kbwh said:
Is the Athena ultra or powershift?

What is the difference. I haven't seen anything that makes a distinction.

tebennett said:
Well, Athena is on par with 105- if it matters

In looking at those two, Athana seems better. Is that statement based on some analysis or just your view? I understand that the comparison is not an easy thing to do.

malanb · Feb 18, 2011

athena is on par with ultegra. had both groups more than once

malanb · Feb 18, 2011

I would go with athena , dont know about the new power torque though. but I have a preference for campagnolo, in the last 6 years only had campgnolo groups

danl1 · Feb 19, 2011

Generally speaking I'm a Campy fan, but I've not made the leap to 11-speed yet - and don't know if I will. Everyone has an opinion, but here's one from cyclingnews that gave me something to think about:

here’s no getting around the fact that 11-speed is more finicky to precise adjustment than Campy’s previous 10-speed groups and much more testy than Shimano or SRAM’s offerings, with the latter seeming the most robust in our experience. After our experiences on the road — the group requires weekly fine-tuning and attention to stay in top working condition — we cannot recommend 11-speed for cyclo-cross. This is despite the benefits the lever’s shape and function would have off-road. Campy makes the Centaur and Veloce groups with the same lever shape in 10-speed, thus making them prime options for off-road use in the autumn.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/reviews/campagnolo-athena-groupset

I'd ask after SRAM options, too. Other than the enormous noise when dropping to the little ring, I really like the way they work.

durielk · Feb 19, 2011

If you go campy, as stated above, Shimno wheels will not work as the hubs are different. Other than that I would go withever fits your hands and positions the best.

Snpiperpilot · Feb 20, 2011

danl1 said:
Generally speaking I'm a Campy fan, but I've not made the leap to 11-speed yet - and don't know if I will. Everyone has an opinion, but here's one from cyclingnews that gave me something to think about:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/reviews/campagnolo-athena-groupset

I'd ask after SRAM options, too. Other than the enormous noise when dropping to the little ring, I really like the way they work.

Thanks for the link. Good info. I considered SRAM but when I test rode a bike with that, I really disliked the way the shifters worked. I didn't ride it long enough to form an opinion on the noise issue. Still puzzled by the price differential in the US. Should be closer in price to the Ultegra line but the discount makes it not so. Weird.

JoelS · Feb 20, 2011

That review is BS. I've got 11sp Chorus on 2 bikes and never have to fiddle with it. If it's set up right from the get go, it'll be fine.

Snpiperpilot · Feb 20, 2011

JoelS said:
That review is BS. I've got 11sp Chorus on 2 bikes and never have to fiddle with it. If it's set up right from the get go, it'll be fine.

So, you have the special never stretch shifter cables? ;-)

I have no idea is Athena or any campy is more adjustment prone than others but all need work from time to time or there would be no barrel adjusters. No?

kbwh · Feb 20, 2011

Ultrashift/Powershift

Snpiperpilot said:
What is the difference. I haven't seen anything that makes a distinction.

For 2011 only SR, Record and Chorus have Ultrashift, where you can upshift as many as 5 cogs with one throw of the thumb shifter. Athena, Centaur and Veloce (the two latter are 10 speed) have Powershift, which only allows single cog upshifts at the time, just like any offering from Shimano or SRAM.

2010 Athena had Ultrashift.

SystemShock · Feb 20, 2011

terbennett said:
Well, Athena is on par with 105- if it matters. That probably explains why it is cheaper.

Really? Athena seems significantly nicer-looking than 105. It's lighter too.

Ultegra seems a better match for Athena than 105 is.
.

Athena or Ultegra

Snpiperpilot

Bike Poor

ewitz

Hank Stamper

terbennett

kbwh

JCavilia

Snpiperpilot

dcl10

strathconaman

Snpiperpilot

malanb

malanb

danl1

durielk

Snpiperpilot

JoelS

Snpiperpilot

kbwh

SystemShock

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