New Campy vs Old Campy

[bikenut2010]

Just wondered how much technological improvement affects groupset comparisons from different eras? For example , would a 2011 Veloce groupset out-perform a ten year old Centaur or Chorus which were higher spec back in the day? This is purely performance based, not comparing aesthetics of Carbon SR to C record for example...
any thoughts?

 

[Midlife]

What do you mean by "out-perform" ? In my bike days some of the better riders used to come out for the Sunday ride on a complete shed of a bike and still "out-perform" me on my Road Bike. LOL

Shaun

 

[bikenut2010]

he he, yeah someone won the local crit on flat pedals and sandals here!

TECHNICALLY outperform silly ... ease of shifting, brake feel and stopping power, last year's record is this year's chorus stuff ( you hear stories...)

 

[mattsccm]

I have some very old Ergos', 8 speed , either Record or Chorus. So much nicer to use than my new Veloce's. The click is nicer, the feel better and change sweeter.
I must now contradict myself and say early not old. I don't regard something from the very early 90's (I think) as old.
When I can be bothered the old stuff is going on my best bike and the new stuff on my CX bike where I expect it will die in a few years.
That bike does have a nice 70's Record front mech that works fine with the 8 speed Ergos, a triple chainset and a 12/25 cassette. As does the Super ecord rear mech from the same era.

 

[dbmtb]

Depends.

There are advantages and disadvantages with both. But you can mix and match.

Ultratorque is definitely stiffer than square taper - but needs tightening more often and bearings seem more prone to letting water in.

QS front shifting is IMHO a inferior to the older system.

Dual pivot brakes F&R are also preferable to the current single pivot rear and dual pivot front. But again that's IMHO.

9-speed will require less frequent adjustment and chain wear is better. But a mech of that age may have some play so be careful what you buy. I do find that 10-speed shifts better though.

Hubs - older hubs from Veloce up are better than the current crop of Veloce hubs.

Personally - the best buy is probably an early 10-speed or late 9-speed Chorus setup. Or Record if you can find/afford it but it seems to be pretty scarce at the moment.