[AlanE]

Can anyone point me to some independent comparison tests for the different major component groups , e.g.
DuraAce vs. Record vs. Red,
Ultegra vs. Chorus vs. Force
etc.

Not to minimize anyone's personal preferences, but I'm looking for some independent & objective comparisons.

Thanks

 

[frdfandc]

www.google.com

 

[Kerry Irons]

No such thing

Can anyone point me to some independent comparison tests for the different major component groups , e.g.
DuraAce vs. Record vs. Red,
Ultegra vs. Chorus vs. Force
etc.

Not to minimize anyone's personal preferences, but I'm looking for some independent & objective comparisons.

Not to be too sarcastic, but how is it that you think that these "independent & objective comparisons" are other than personal preferences. All of these groups are very functional, so the real comparisons are how they feel to any given person (personal preference) and how they look (personal preference). What one person complains about "no snap to the shifting" another describes as "smooth." The basic choice recommended to most people is to consider how the shifters feel to your hands. Other differences are if not meaningless, at least not very meaningful.

BTW, most would tell you that DA/Red and Chorus are the correct comparison, and Ultegera/Force with Centaur. Some debate on this, but their price points align pretty closely as does their overal quality.

 

[AlanE]

I would think that an "independent & objective comparison" would be an appraisal performed by someone in the cycling business (e.g. Bicycling Magazine) who actually put each of the component groups through some rigorous test rides to reach their conclusions, as opposed to someone who peruses these fora and proclaims that Brand-X is best because they bought Brand-X. Sort of like the auto comparison test you might find in Car & Driver.

 

[AlanE]

www.google.com

Well I tried to google "Bicycle Groupo Comparison" and came up empty, but I tahnk you for taking the time to provide this totally worthless response to my sincere request. Have a nice day.

 

[SilverStar]

Trust me, you won't be getting that kind of comparison from Bicycling. You may search for some of the Euro mags: Cycling Plus from England and one from Germany whose name escapes me at the moment.

In any case, those magazines lean heavily on the reviewers' personal preferences...just because they're professional journalists doesn't mean they're immune to those preferences clouding their experiences.

 

[JCavilia]

Well I tried to google "Bicycle Groupo Comparison" and came up empty, but I tahnk you for taking the time to provide this totally worthless response to my sincere request. Have a nice day.

When you google, try spelling it "group", as it's spelled in English, or "gruppo," as it is in Italian. You still might come up empty, but the chances are better.

 

[SystemShock]

I could be wrong, but didn't VeloNews or RoadBikeAction or somesuch have a nice little 8- or 10-page comparison of the Big 3 Component makers (Shimano, Campy, & SRAM) and their groups?

It was a very good read if I remember, and it didn't come out all that long ago, like maybe late spring/early summer.
.

 

[frdfandc]

Well I tried to google "Bicycle Groupo Comparison" and came up empty, but I tahnk you for taking the time to provide this totally worthless response to my sincere request. Have a nice day.

You are quite welcome since you failed to do such a search BEFORE posting your question. Figured I start you on the road to a search.


But regardless, components are a personal choice due to ergonomics. So even if a total independent & objective comparison was done - which is impossible due to personal tastes - its still an individual choice.

The best way to do a comparison is check the prices/weights yourself, then go find a few bikes with the components you are comparing and take them out for a ride.

 

[av8torjim]

Check out www.testrider.com. I can't say it's objective (they seem to like everything they test), but their video reviews of groups point out some of the advantages and differences of each.

 

[booyeah]

Yes, VeloNews came out with their Buyer's Guide released early spring of this year. They tested 2010 Campagnolo Chorus (11 speed) vs. Shimano Ultegra (6700) vs. SRAM Force. If you're able to get a backorder copy, it's pretty good read for group comparisons.

Cheers.

 

[PlatyPius]

What's a "groupo"?

 

[Salsa_Lover]

What's a "groupo"?

something google has no information about yet.

 

[orange_julius]

I would think that an "independent & objective comparison" would be an appraisal performed by someone in the cycling business (e.g. Bicycling Magazine) who actually put each of the component groups through some rigorous test rides to reach their conclusions, as opposed to someone who peruses these fora and proclaims that Brand-X is best because they bought Brand-X. Sort of like the auto comparison test you might find in Car & Driver.

Just like with cars, most things are subjective. As Kerry said, they are all very functional. It doesn't matter to me that BMW beats Audi in these bake-offs most of the time (although that has changed recently), I still like Audi much better.

Plus, just like with car reviews, I'd be more interested in the long-term reviews instead of something cooked up over a weekend.

That said, I'm firmly in the Campag camp. I used to have Shimano and I tried SRAM a bunch of times, but I really like using and owning Campag stuff.
* I already have a whole bunch of Campag wheels, parts, tools.
* I like their "cockpit" a lot.
* I know how to install, maintain and rebuild their parts.
* And I think that their price point is in fact very competitive, especially if you buy from Europe into the US.

 

[wim]

What's a "groupo"?

From the Comprehensive Dictionary of Bicycle Marketing, 11Speed Press, 2010 ed.:

groupo (noun) In mid- and lower-level recreational road bicycle marketing, term used for an assembly of components of one and the same brand and quality level, but generally including an inferior-quality crank of a different brand. Under the revised 2011 industry guidelines, the term 'groupo' may be used if only two (2) or more components of a bicycle are of one and the same brand and quality level.

 

[crossracer]

Honestly your original post was like the ones we get here all the time, which grouppo is the best? Having owned two of the three i can say this with some authority, but then again maybe not. LOL LOL LOL

Campy will cost more. Maybe. I have heard of people here who have ordered it from england and gotten killer deals, like the price i pay for it from my distributer.

Sram Red is lightest. Everone agrees on that, allthough many think the front der is to wimpy. Honestly i cant say yes or no to that, it seemed fine to me.

Shimano is everywhere. Thats a fact, but more and more sram is coming online. However one advantage to shimano being everywhere is replacemnet parts are very easy to come by.

Shifting, Shimano has a very light feel, sram a bit heavier, havnt rode the new campy to say what that feel like.

Brakes. They all brake really really well. Enough said on that one.

Compatability. Lots more stuff aviable for shimano and to a lesser degree sram. Campy is campy. If you like having lots of different wheelsets, there is way more out there for shimano/sram than campy.

Ergonomics. Total personal prefrence combined with how it is set up. That coupled with the fact you ahve two kinds of shimano levers, under the bar cables and exposed der cables then you get two different kind of levers there.

Which is best? Honestly who cares. If you are rocking Red, or DuraAce or Record you are at the top of the food chain anyway. All are equally nice and have fantastic fit and finish. Any rider here would be proud to have any of them on his or her bike.

NOw that is an objective, as i can make it review. Way i figure it is that if Jesus didnt have a favorite grouppe in the Bible then all must be good and worthy.

Bill

 

[Keeping up with Junior]

Plus 1

BTW, most would tell you that DA/Red and Chorus are the correct comparison, and Ultegera/Force with Centaur. Some debate on this, but their price points align pretty closely as does their overal quality.

Correctamundo.

 

[C-40]

a few facts...

Campy is still the only brand with shifters that can be rebuilt and it's easy since the 2009 redesign. Their shifters are also cheaper than any other brand. They are also the only ones that can make multiple shifts to smaller cogs with one push of a lever (the thumb button). This is real handy after a shift to the little ring and a shift of 2-4 cogs smaller may be needed.

The new Shimano shifters went from having the longest brake hood reach to an even longer one with the new design - just the opposite of what I would want. The also lost the ability to shift 3-cogs larger with one sweep of the brake/shift lever. That's not good if you own a compact crank.

As for cost, the best prices for Campy are still from the UK. Check out stores like Ribble and Shiny Bikes.

 

[PlatyPius]

Campy is still the only brand with shifters that can be rebuilt and it's easy since the 2009 redesign.

Incorrect.

SRAM shifters can be rebuilt by removing three phillips-head screws.

 

[Keeping up with Junior]

Rebuild

SRAM shifters can be rebuilt by removing three phillips-head screws.

Good to hear that they have not followed the SheepHerder with disposable components. So is the rebuild similar to Campy where you are generally lubing and replacing a couple springs? Is the job something you can do yourself or get a typical shop rat to repair?