Me too. Of all the reasons I loved Campagnolo - being different and being beautiful were two big reasons. Durability/quality and availability of the smallest replacement parts were the other big reasons. I'm not aware that superior function ever came into it - I've never thought Shimano couldn't do the job just as well.usr wrote: ↑Mon Jun 05, 2023 4:29 pmPrecisely my feelings. I even noticed a considerable decay in my enthusiasm of finding an unscratched spare crank for the silver Athena on my old bike (but if anyone really wants to get rid of a 175mm 50 34 PT, I'm here)raggedtrousers wrote: ↑Mon Jun 05, 2023 3:56 pmOverall, on reflection I've tried to work out why this new launch actually made me a little sad, especially as it's a product I'd likely never be able to justify buying. I suppose it's because many of the things it suggests about Campag's future direction of travel are not what I would like, and it's probably the one brand I have anything resembling an emotional response to. I know they have to move forward; I just don't think this is the way. Oh well - everything changes and life moves on.
1. Replacement parts have slowly become less available - No new springs for lever internals anymore - just a replacement module.
2. Beauty - the rot started with that first 12 speed mech rear derailleur and has accelerated since I'm afraid.
3. Being different - thumb levers gone and derailleurs the bastard son of SRAM.
4. That leaves durability and quality - hopefully still there.
I mentioned on the other thread that I do like the gear ratios and with a cheaper, better looking, mechanical version I might still remain a customer. I also love my Ekar groupset despite its less than beautiful derailleur - so there is hope yet!