Re: Campagnolo parts (Shimagnolo in the making) - part prices? Best course of action?

Qui si parla Campagnolo wrote:
Franz Bestuchev wrote:
I've read about the "customer oriented" decision that Shimano made and
enforced in order to shut down the OEM markets. I've personally always
felt the "quality merchant and 30 day warranty" kind of policy is a good
thing to have for those who know enough to do the work themselves.

The DIY computer world has a very similar kind of market. Usually the
same warranty, but a white box and none of the bundled software worth
"over $500!"

So I now have some decisions to make regarding my intentions to to move
away from Shimano components - having been rudely woken up to the way
they're doing business.

Here's the parts I was thinking (and suggested for) building/replacing
with and then the cost the LBS had given me on those parts.

_______

I'm looking for starters to build a rear wheel:

*Mavic Open Pro Rim*, black, 36°
-$70
*Campagnolo Centaur Rear Hub*, told that the only difference between
this hub and the Veloce is the material from which the quick release
skewer is made as well as a resin/plastic cover on the non-drive side.

Told wrong. Veloce is a steel axle, cart bearing hubset where as
Centaur is aluminum axle, cup and ball hubset...Centaur and
CHORUS0RECORD are very similar, same innards with plastic adjust plate
on Centaur, aluminum for Chorus/Record, at least he got that right.


He may not have gotten it wrong, I may have just gotten things written down wrong or misunderstood things.

I called back today and was given that same, correct, information.

I'm not counting grams (or labels) - but unless their plastic has a
pretty good reputation for not going funny in the cold/or old age...it
saves me $30
-$149 (or $180)
*Spokes* minimal, $0.70 each...DT 14/15G double butted
-as expected

*BUILD COST* They've a very well known shop for their wheel build
quality...but *$50*...I'm not a wealthy man, I've got a lot of medical
bills to pay (not related to the crash for which these parts are needed
to repair) the woman who clocked me and initiated this shopping spree
simply drove off.
-$50...sigh?


_______

Shifting/Drivetrain
The original 105 STI levers are busted bad, BOTH. They'll be tossed.

*Campagnolo Veloce (invoice says "VEL") ERGO levers, 10sp* I had asked
to be quoted for the Centaur levers as the difference was explained to
me that it was essentially just weight and a strategic knock-out on one
of the levers.
-$189 (I forget the other cost)
*Centaur Long-Cage (Med/Long) Rear Derailler - 10sp* Any reason for
Veloce or anything better quality? I can't imagine so.
-$139
*Veloce Cassette 10sp , either 12-23 or 12-25* This suites me fine, I
had been running a 12-25 just fine!
-$89
*Campagnolo "CA VEL" 10sp Chain* It makes sense to me that I'd need a
Campy chain...but the price for a chain seems REALLY, REALLY high.
-$44

Installing this myself is not problem.

_______

So are these good prices, or is my LBS taking me for a sucker? Are they
tossing MSRP at me?

Good prices, tossing MSRP?..They buy it and apply a margin to keep the
lights on, about 35%. They are not getting rich at these prices, often
just breaking even. I really dislike those that throw the 'MSRP' words
around as if they are a swear word. Most good bike shops just apply
this margin NOT outrageous at all.


I understand what you're saying, but MSRP is a price that *does* mean a bike shop will be able to buy a part and make what is, in all likelihood, a very good margin. Should the mfg. post prices in official literature they also will not see a number high than what their own price guns tag it at.

I want a *good* shop to make a living, because it's in my best interest to keep the good shops alive. So for that reason if it comes down to a 10% difference between local and best of mail order then I'd rather have a face to face interaction.

Unfortunately I live in one of the wealthier sections of the US and there's no shortage of places willing to sell product at GIGANTIC markups to a customer base with no concern for the numbers on the receipt - just want to save 10 grams on the newest shiniest kool-aid.

Meanwhile I'm struggling to just pay for my medications. Trying to fix my beloved road bike's parts is looking more and more like something that's going to keep it off the road for the summer. But it's OK I still have my mtn bike commuter to take out on the weekends.

I don't want to come off as complaining about my situation but I can't go to a shop and help contribute to their fabulous redecoration and the fancy tech-chic looking 12 volt lighting systems.

Get Veloce everything and Centaur hubs.....$50 for a well built wheel
that takes about an hour to make is NOT outrageous at all either. GOTTA
let these guys keep the lights on, pay themselves, .....
GAH! I just want to get myself back out in the rolling hills. My
commuter is a great bike to ride but it's not what I want when it's a
gorgeous saturday.

Thanks for reading all this...helping me move away from this Japanese
outfit with which I'd never had to deal with on such an expensive level.


Here's what I think I'm going to go with:

Veloce rear hub, 36°
-$80
Mavic CXP 33 Rim
-$80
Veloce 12-25 Cassette
-$90
Veloce Chain
$45
Centaur Derailler, Long (their price differential to Veloce is pretty small)
$140
Veloce Shifter
$190

$50 to build the wheel, $35 to put the parts on -- and the guy said he would throw in the spokes for free. (So I'm basically getting free labor in putting the parts on - which I *could* do myself, but I'll let them have at it instead since I'm still on a learning curve with Campy ATM.)
.