Campagnolo wheels - Shimano cassettes
Moderator: robbosmans
For some reason I've always thought that Campag wheels were only available with Campag freehubs, and that Fulcrums were similar wheels with Shimano freehubs.
However, I've just noticed that at least some Campag wheels are available with either type of freehub. Is this a newish thing, or have I just been mistaken?
Are there any general reasons to choose Campag over Fulcrum for a Shimano-compatible wheel?
However, I've just noticed that at least some Campag wheels are available with either type of freehub. Is this a newish thing, or have I just been mistaken?
Are there any general reasons to choose Campag over Fulcrum for a Shimano-compatible wheel?
It's not new. In 2012 I bought a pair of Campagnolo Shamal Ultra Titanium Wheels -- and never used them because they were heavier than advertised (I tried to sell them but nobody wanted to pay enough).
However, recently I was looking for a rear wheel which didn't have a cassette mounted and found those -- just to notice that they didn't have a Campagnolo freehub. Oops.
However, recently I was looking for a rear wheel which didn't have a cassette mounted and found those -- just to notice that they didn't have a Campagnolo freehub. Oops.
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If you're in the market for e-MTB wheels choice at the C-brand might seem a bit limited.
Generally I get the impression that they have started to deliberately avoid any of that 1:1 comparability that we saw in the aluminum wheels age when everybody assumed that Racing 1/3/5 where just Shamal/Eurus/Zonda with a different spoke pattern on the rear (and I guess they were right).
Generally I get the impression that they have started to deliberately avoid any of that 1:1 comparability that we saw in the aluminum wheels age when everybody assumed that Racing 1/3/5 where just Shamal/Eurus/Zonda with a different spoke pattern on the rear (and I guess they were right).
I remember reading something which said that Campg didn't want to put Shimano freehubs on their wheels, so they established the Fulcrum brand in order to sell Shimano-compatible wheels.
I've come across their aftermarket Shimano-compatible steel freehub, but never realised their own wheels were available with a Shimano freehub. Presumably the ones on their higher-end wheels aren't steel...
I've come across their aftermarket Shimano-compatible steel freehub, but never realised their own wheels were available with a Shimano freehub. Presumably the ones on their higher-end wheels aren't steel...
Yeah, they have been available with Shimano freehubs for a very long time. Of course there are some "purists" who say that you can't put Campagnolo wheels on a bike with Shimano groupset, but that's extremely silly, especially considering that the mid range Campagnolo wheels (like the Zondas) are very good value and are a fantastic upgrade for entry level bikes (which almost always have Shimano groupset). And on the other hand, and related to mixing Campagnolo and Shimano components, it is pretty common to see Shimano pedals on Campagnolo bikes these days (and personally, it's my favourite combination as well).
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I think that Fulcrum may have been conceived originally as an OEM-spec for shimano-equipped bikes (which they would not have wanted to put "Campy"-branded wheels on). Campy wheels have long been available with shimano freehubs. Fulcrum's 2:1 rear lacing is very similar to Campy's G3 lacing, but slightly different spoke spacing at the rim on the drive-side spokes make them appear visually different because the "grouping of three spokes" (2 drive side, 1 non-drive side) is not as obvious. I believe Campy's shimano freehubs are available in steel or aluminum (I don't know which current models come with steel vs alu. freehubs).deejayen wrote: ↑Thu Sep 16, 2021 1:57 pmI remember reading something which said that Campg didn't want to put Shimano freehubs on their wheels, so they established the Fulcrum brand in order to sell Shimano-compatible wheels.
I've come across their aftermarket Shimano-compatible steel freehub, but never realised their own wheels were available with a Shimano freehub. Presumably the ones on their higher-end wheels aren't steel...
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I also think that Fulcrum has been established to penetrate more on the market of non-campagnolo (shimano) road and mtb bikes. Having Campagnolo wheels back in days on shimano groupset was very uncommon. Campagnolo wheels on mtb would look weird even today. That's why they needed another brand.
Also, even on campagnolo equipped bikes now they sell more through 2 different brands.
I think Campagnolo's wheel business has been so good in last 10-15 years that they have totally neglected their groupset business in terms of pricing, positioning and selling. Maybe pricing of new 12 speed Shimano things will help them retake some of the lost market share. But I think that Shimano will still give better OEM deals.
Also, even on campagnolo equipped bikes now they sell more through 2 different brands.
I think Campagnolo's wheel business has been so good in last 10-15 years that they have totally neglected their groupset business in terms of pricing, positioning and selling. Maybe pricing of new 12 speed Shimano things will help them retake some of the lost market share. But I think that Shimano will still give better OEM deals.