There are many bike brands in the world, but two of the best that stand out have to be the Campagnolo and the Shimano brands. They’re both known for producing excellent products and making strides in the cycling market. In this article today, we shall be putting Campagnolo vs. Shimano groupsets against each other to see which fits your biking style and preferences.
You have to consider a wide range of factors, and so we shall be discussing two of their best groupsets, the Campagnolo Centaur and the Shimano 105. Follow the article to find vital information on what makes the two groupsets unique and the differences between them.
Campagnolo Trusted Source History - Milestones Campagnolo Go to Official Campagnolo web site and discover Milestones Page. Campagnolo | History There are no shortcuts in history. What we are today can only be patiently constructed. www.campagnolo.com is an Italian-based bicycle brand founded in 1933 by Tullio Campagnolo. Unlike other brands, their products are lightweight, their gears shift more conveniently, and they’re known for their high-end road and gravel bikes. People worldwide have been using Campagnolo products for a long while. Their audience continuously grows as there are new things to look out for.
The Shimano Trusted Source Company HistorySHIMANO Corporate Site Welcome to the Shimano official corporate website. See our history. www.shimano.com brand is one of the world’s most famous bike brands, and it is a Japanese-based company founded in 1921 by a Japanese male named Shozaburo Shimano. Unlike the Campagnolo, Shimano focuses on products for more types of bikes, including road, mountain, BMX, commute, triathlon, gravel, and E-bikes. If you’re considering where to get good cycles, you should look at our list of the best road bikes under $500 for quality bicycles at affordable prices.
Both prominent bike brands have released multiple models, and they’re all of top quality. But which are the ones that stand out?
The Campagnolo Centaur and the Shimano 105 are two of their stand-out models and are vastly popular among bikers worldwide.
Here we shall discuss and compare the two groupsets and other exciting ones that Campagnolo and Shimano have released.
In recent times, Campagnolo and Shimano have competed in two of the best bike brands in the world, and Shimano shook the market with the release of the Shimano 105 drivetrain. Still, Campagnolo replied by resurrecting the Centaur groupset with an 11-speed aluminum groupset ranked as enter-level, and it was developed to challenge the Shimano 105 directly.
Here is a quick overview of the weights of different components on both models.
| Campagnolo Centaur | Shimano 105 | |
| Levers | 373 g | 486 g |
| Rear Derailleur | 230 g | 250 g |
| Front Derailleur | 103 g | 104 g |
| Crankset (170 mm, 50/34T) | 875 g | 693 g |
| Bottom bracket (BSA threaded) | 49 g | 77 g |
| Cassette | 11-29T | 11-28T |
| Chain | 110 links | 116 links |
| Brake calipers | 325 g | 378 g |
When putting Campagnolo Centaur vs. Shimano 105 head-to-head, you must look at different things as they are similar in some ways, but still, different components make them unique. The quality and weight of their components matter as they’re used to determine which will work out better for you.
Here are some of the critical differences in the essential components of both the Centaur and the Shimano 105.
The Centaur chainset is made from aluminum and has a four-arm spider design, and this makes sure that the arms are placed in the appropriate places where rigidity and stability are needed the most. It is the first aluminum chainset with the Campagnolo ultra torque axel, weighing about 875g. The Centaur makes use of specially designed chains and its exclusive for the Centaur and Potenza alone
But the Shimano 105 chainset is one of the descendants of the Dura Ace chainset, so you can be assured of its durability. The 105 makes use of the popular Hollowtech technology and the use of a hollow crank to ensure a reduced weight. Unlike other Shimano models, it features a one-piece construction but is hard to identify unless viewed from behind and weighs about 713g. The 105 chain comes with a quick link, making it easier to remove and fit.
Cassettes are one of the most vital components of the bike, and the two products use different options. The Centaur has an 11-speed cassette and is specially made for the Centaur groupset alone. You can choose from different options, including the 11 – 29 tooth, the 11 – 32 tooth, and the 12 – 32 tooth.
Unlike other models, the Shimano 105 has a broader range of options for its cassettes, but unlike the Centaur, there are only 11 – 32 and 11 – 34 cassette options. It is similar to the other Shimano brands because Shimano believes these options offer the best performance for shifting.
The brakes installed on the Centaur are dual pivots from both the front and back, and they’re known to be lighter than other brakes on their other products. The brakes weigh around 40g, and the pads are created from a new compound that increases stopping power.
The Shimano 105 uses a symmetrical dual-pivot brake system with a good feel and excellent modulation. The brake calipers on the 105 are light and seem loftier than the brakes on the Campagnolo Centaur.
The rear derailleurs on the 105 are under the Shimano’s Shadow technology, and this makes the mechanism more compact and allows it not to protrude outside its normal position. It is available in 11- 30t and 11 – 34t. The Centaur’s rear derailleurs come in a single version that can hold cassettes with sprockets as big as 32-tooth, but the rear derailleurs of the Centaur have to remain at a single angle. This makes it more reliable and efficient as it shifts the sprockets tighter to the cassettes.
The Centaur’s front derailleurs use Campagnolo’s Revolution 11+ tech, and it has a single steel cage to give the derailleur better precision and make it more rigid. It also has a longer rod that reduces the lever throw and energy needed for upshifting from the smaller chain ring to the bigger one.
But the Shimano 105 uses a redesigned front derailleur with a cam arrangement to accommodate the shifter, making it more durable. There is also a cable clamp with an adjustment screw for tension, allowing you to dispense with the use of the inline barrel adjuster.
Still, both companies have some other groupsets to offer. Let’s take a closer look at their comparison.
The Campagnolo Centaur vs. Shimano Ultegra is one of those topics that must be investigated because they’re both equally good products. The Centaur has been widely used by many people globally, and it has not once been disappointing. With its vari-cushion hoods which have a friendly and tender feel to the comfortable feel of the entire groupset, it can be said the very convenient.
It also has very ergonomic brake levers made from aluminum and technopolymer shifters that are reliable and always operate well. The upshift lever isn’t as rigid as other versions, and you can perform multiple out shifts with one stroke. The shifts must be the best things about the Centaur, as they’re accurate, swift overall, and feel like a more costly drivetrain. One of the downsides of using the Centaur is that it only has rims as brake options.
On the other hand, the Shimano Ultegra is a unique product, but it doesn’t have shifters as fast as the Centaur, and the shifting buttons are tiny. But on the bright side, the Ultegra has many advanced features, such as a 12-speed gearing system, unlike the Centaur, with an 11-speed system, wireless controls, and outstanding braking performance. When comparing the two, the Centaur is lighter and more quality overall.
Despite the differences between the two brands, they pretty much do the same thing, although there are slight variations in how they do things. The next in line to be compared is the Campagnolo Chorus groupset and the Shimano Ultegra. The Chorus is under the performance groupset, and this is because it is a good product that gets the best out of your bike. It’s very similar to the Ultegra in speed, as they use 12-speed gearing systems. Another similar feature between the two is that they both have multiple break options, which makes a unique brake system.
One of the cool things about the Chorus groupset is that it uses carbon fiber, aluminum, and light alloys in its construction. Unlike the Centaur, it had multiple brake options, and you could choose between the rim and the hydraulic press. Although the Chorus and Ultegra are similar in the gear system, they differ in weight and the fact that the Chorus had thumb shifters.
The levers on the Chorus are much more convenient, but the Ultegra is known to shift more accurately. They’re both beautiful in terms of looks, but through reviews, it’s been said that the Chorus is more appealing. What you’ll go for still depends on what you’re comfortable with, but the Campagnolo Chorus groupset seems to have the edge over Shimano Ultegra.
Another famous model we have to discuss is the Shimano 105, and now we shall compare it to the Campagnolo Chorus. They’re entirely different products, unlike the Campagnolo Chorus and the Shimano Ultegra. The Shimano 105 is ranked third in the hierarchy of great Shimano products, and this one, in particular, is an excellent choice for experienced bike riders.
It doesn’t possess the needed ergonomics like the Chorus, and there’re other little differences that should be considered, like the difference in how the shifting mechanisms work and how the two frames are not identical in any way. It’s been confirmed that the shifting from gears to the Chorus is better. They use different levers, but the Campagnolo also has more comfortable ones. In summary, they’re entirely different, and with the Chorus, you’ll get a lighter mechanism, impressive shifting performances, and rebuildable shifters.
However, the Shimano product has really cool hoods and other features that make it fantastic. Both companies have given beneficial products, and which one you prefer depends on your style, and you should be sure you try out both while riding to know what works well for you.
The Campagnolo vs. Shimano debate has to be taken into detail, and they both released unique products worth discussing. You’re guaranteed quality and good performance regardless of whichever one you purchase for your bike, but our guide should help you make a decision
It all still depends on your personal preference and riding style. If you’re looking for something to give you a boost and improve your performance dramatically and are ready to spend a decent amount, then you should go with Campagnolo Centaur. If not, the Shimano 105 is a great option and is still quality.
