Campagnolo, Shimano & SRAM: Questions & answers about high-end shifting systems
Jens Klötzer
· 04.05.2025
Favourable alternative to the high-end groupset?
The top groups epitomise what is technically feasible, but are expensive. All manufacturers also have cheaper offshoots in their programme for smaller budgets. The electronic circuits, actuators, batteries and apps are usually identical, so there is hardly any loss of functionality. The differences lie mainly in the weight: Cheaper groups are heavier as they are made of less high-quality materials. The surfaces also often appear less valuable and the workmanship is somewhat simpler.
Campagnolo
There is only one cheaper alternative to the wireless Super Record WRL: the Super Record S WRL is almost identical in construction, comes with a different finish and weighs 150 grams more. At the Italian price level, this saves a lot of money, with a list price of just under €4,000, which is €1,200 less than the Super Record without the "S". Below this, Campagnolo has several purely mechanical groupsets in its programme, the development of which dates back several years: From the extra-light Super Record (approx. 3,500 euros) to the simple Centaur (approx. 700 euros).
Shimano
The technology of the Dura-Ace is also largely used in the more affordable Ultegra. The weight disadvantage is relatively large, amounting to around 350 grams, but at around €2,600 it costs a whopping €2,000 less than the Dura-Ace. At first glance, the electronic 105 also appears comparable in terms of function, but compromises have to be made here: The brakes do not have ServoWave technology and the actuators work minimally slower. On the other hand, the price is attractive: it is available for 1,800 euros. Below this, Shimano also offers a mechanical twelve-speed 105, which costs a good 1,000 euros.
SRAM
The Force and Rival AXS electric groupsets work on the same principle as the Red, but are still based on the previous generation. It's worth waiting here: news has been announced for this summer. The new groupsets are likely to adapt the technologies of the Red, particularly in terms of braking and shifting behaviour, and thus make great progress. Traditionally, the Force groupset is a direct competitor to the Shimano Ultegra and is likely to be close to it in terms of price and weight - it currently costs almost as much at just under € 2,700, but has a power meter on board. The current Rival works well, but with its solid aluminium cranks it has a weight disadvantage compared to the Shimano 105.
Rim brakes: Is there anything else?
Hardly, rim brakes are increasingly becoming a discontinued model. If you still want to combine the latest shifting technology with rim brakes, you have to search and make compromises. SRAM sorted out the technology years ago. The option of rim brakes was still listed for the current Dura-Ace when it was introduced, and they were carried over unchanged from the previous generation. However, suitable levers with wireless shifting technology are likely to be few and far between. Ultegra and 105 are now only available with disc. Campagnolo officially offers the largest range: In addition to all mechanical shifting systems, there is also the wired Super Record EPS - the direct predecessor of the current WRL - each with cable brakes. The availability of these is another matter.
Which translation do I need?
Tightly stepped gears or large sprockets for easy mountain transmissions? Modern road bike transmissions can do a lot, but even with twelve sprockets, they still can't do everything. That's why the drivetrain should be tailored to your own requirements: professionals on flat stages use large chainrings and finely stepped cassettes; for steep mountains without much training, the smallest possible chainrings and cassettes with large sprockets are required, which increases the gear steps. What fits best is therefore a question of performance and the route. For buyers of complete bikes, the issue is usually superfluous because the right gear is already fitted to match the bike category. Those who have to configure their own cassettes are faced with a numerical problem with the latest road bike groupsets: the numbers of teeth are no longer comparable between the manufacturers, the classic gradations "compact" (50/34), "semi-compact" (52/36) and "standard" (53/39 or 54/40) are only available from Shimano. With the initial ten-tooth sprocket at Campa and SRAM, the chainrings have also become smaller, and there are other cassettes to match. Our overview shows which crank suits which application and which cassette from the range best complements it.
Mechanical circuit
Like rim brakes, mechanical shifting systems are becoming increasingly rare on new racing bikes. Only Campagnolo still offers high-quality, lightweight products for both disc and rim brakes. Shimano has launched the current 105 groupset with twelve sprockets as a mechanical version, but it is only compatible with discs. SRAM now relies exclusively on electronics on its road racers.
Jens Klötzer
Editor
