Durability / toughness difference between Ultegra, Rival & Force

[walkerr]

Trying to decide between the above. Campag not really an easy option for me on grounds of tooling and interchange with other bike and existing wheels.

 

Don't want to open another SRAM vs Shimano can of worms on these groupos - suffice to say, I've read up on general pros & cons of both. Even though I'm more used to Shimano shifting, I can happily adjust to SRAM double tap and I like how my hand position feels on the hoods.

 

Also not hugely concerned on weight too - although shifting precision does matter, hence looking higher end.

 

My big Q is whether there's any real durability / strength differences or experiences that people have noticed between these 3?

 

They'll be going on to a (hopefully tough) but light Ti frame that I'm in processing of ordering - and I want to get a lot of Kms out of all the components with least possible hassles (normal wear and tear aside)

 

Ta for any views

[liebenw]

Geez Walkerr,

 

if it was really durability and strength you wanting for the long haul, you needn't look beyond Campag.

 

Pity then that it is not an option for you.

[walkerr]

Yeah - I know, tell me. I've been told I can't swap my current Easton wheels that have a Shimano freehub with Campag if I went Chorus 11 speed. One place thought I could swap the freehub with a Campag one, but the consensus seems to say no way. The rest of the bits don't matter, but I really want to be able to use those wheels on the new frame when it's setup for weekend rides. I guess I should bottom that one out, if it is possible Campag would get the vote.

[LOOK695]

Yeah - I know, tell me. I've been told I can't swap my current Easton wheels that have a Shimano freehub with Campag if I went Chorus 11 speed. One place thought I could swap the freehub with a Campag one, but the consensus seems to say no way. The rest of the bits don't matter, but I really want to be able to use those wheels on the new frame when it's setup for weekend rides. I guess I should bottom that one out, if it is possible Campag would get the vote.

Make sure about the free hub. Maybe check on the Easton website? If you can, go Campy, otherwise I think that Shimano is more durable than Sram in respect of your wear items as your chain and chainrings.

[Bram_on_Madone]

Can't comment on the other groups, but my 2011 Ultegra has proven to be rather bullet proof, requiring only minor tweaks every 2-3 months over thousands of km's. I have replaced the chain once with no problems and have had perfect, smooth shifting all the way.

[walkerr]

Cool, thanks for feedback. Am kinda leaning toward Ultegra 6700, but will def check whether I can swap freehubs and look at Campag.

[Organic]

I can't comment on the SRAM stuff, not having used it, but I have the Ultegra 6700 stuff with about 20000 km on the clock.

 

The two comments I can make about it are:

 

- That the cables and cable housing - rear shifter cable and housing in particular - will need to be replaced roughly every 8000km to keep it shifting smoothly, depending on how much shifting you do.

- That the shifters are somewhat prone to rust. Maybe I've been unlucky, but there are other stories on the net.

 

A friend with DuraAce has similar shifting problems on the back, although none of the rust issues.

 

Regular cable and housing changes keep it running well, but the previous generation of Shimano stuff was less maintenance-intensive.

[walkerr]

Thanks. Overall, thanks sounds ok - rust is a bit of a worry though. Plan to be doing a fair number of winter and wet weather Kms on the new bike, so that could be less good. Don't think my budget will stretch to DA just to avoid rust, which strikes me as bit iffy.

[walkerr]

Yay!

 

Got email back from Easton. I can swap the Shimano cassette body on their R4 hubs (and hence newer range wheels) for a Campag 11 spd one (cred to Eugene at Helder Cycles, he was the guy reckoned this was possible!).

 

So good news for the new bike - bad news for my wallet