Campagnolo vs Shimano: A technical comparison
1. Guiseppe’s father was the first in Campagnolo’s small Vicenza factory to perfect the shape of this precise component on a manual lathe. When he retired after spending forty years working for the company, Guiseppe took over where his father left off. His sister Silvia also works in the factory, delicately knitting carbon fibre for the construction of seatposts, and his aunt Gabriella owns the local cafe where the factory workers stop en route in the morning for their daily espressos. Guiseppe’s son is called Tullio after company founder Tullio Campagnolo.
2. Replacement parts can be ordered through your local Campagnolo dealer. Allow for unreasonable costs and three months for delivery.
3. The development of this component brought Campagnolo’s total patents for innovations in cycling technology to 135. Other advancements pioneered by the company include the hub quick-release and Ergopower™ levers, the Randomly Sticking Front Brake System™ and the Lo-Life Hi-Rust Enclosed Bottom Bracket™ fitting.
4. Goes all the way up to eleven (requires specialist 11-speed compatible torque-wrench, available through your local Campagnolo dealer).
5. Tour de France winners riding Campagnolo: Merckx (1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974), Hinault (1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1985), Fignon (1984), LeMond (1986), Roche (1987), Indurain (1991-1995). You can’t argue with that, can you?
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1. Noboru is the second generation of his family to work on the Shimano production line. His mother, Kumiko, was the first. She showed very impressive laser precision cutting skills, with an unprecedented level of accuracy (margins of error within 0.0005mm). She served the company for many years, proving to be a reliable and efficient worker. Noboru’s mother was a robot – he is her technologically superior upgrade.
2. This part is interchangeable with the barrel adjuster on the Alivio CX – Shimano’s range of value fishing rods.
3. “Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them.” Joseph Heller
4. Replacement parts can be purchased from your local Shimano dealer, bike shop, Halfords, Tesco Express and all good fishing suppliers.
5. Tour de France winners riding Shimano: Armstrong (1999-2005). You can’t argue with that, can you? Oh, wait…
8 Comments
Nick
January 27, 2011Another classic D. I’m a Campag man. Because I have little girl’s hands. And I like shiny things.
Mark
January 27, 2011Perfect analysis!
My Shimano gives me a lifetime of like, punctuated by the extremes of love and hate that my Campag provides…
Martin Anscombe
January 27, 2011Eversoslightly veeering towards the Campag camp there Damien…….needs to be more balanced. Like the BBC. Diplomacy. Ooooooo.
Keith
January 27, 2011Where would you put SRAM in all this? I’m on the cusp of a which groupset choice for a shiny new Condor – swaying to Campag for shifter preference only so far…….
IN THE SADDLE
January 27, 2011Nick – thanks. But you know what they say about a man with small hands…*
Mark – definitely know what you mean about the love/hate thing with Campag.
Martin – I think I’ve emulated the BBC pretty well here. I’ve compared two of the main parties side by side and subjected them to flimsy analysis, veered slightly towards one over the other, and completely failed to mention a third party that may actually offer a better alternative…
Keith – I’ve heard good things about SRAM. It’s pretty light and good value for money.
*”You know, you should try Campag levers”, is probably what people say about men with small hands.
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maryka
January 27, 2011Isn’t the famous saying that one wears in as the other wears out? (guess which is which)
James
January 28, 2011nice article. I am with Keith though as have just ‘invested’ in a bike with SRAM Red. My main reason for choosing SRAM was due to the deal i was getting though. so far so good with it though!