Bicycle Mechanics - Worn Shimano levers, what should I get?

I have a 96' Giant CFR1 which came with Shimano 600 groupset throughout.
The STI levers are on their last days, I have to try 3-4 times to get the chain to jump from the big chain ring to the smaller one.

I have a few options.

Replace the levers with Ultegra or 105 $400AUD
Replace the entire groupset $1200AUD
Buy a new bike, (not really an option) $2800AUD minimum

Can I put a 10spd Campagnola groupset on, if yes, will my Shimano wheels still be compatible or is that another problem. Do I need special tools for the Campy bottom bracket and cassette.

My feeling is to get the entire groupset replaced, as I like the bike and it fits well.

Any thoughts?

CHEERS.

Mark

PS. Our dollar is worth about 54¢US that's why the prices are so high.

I think you could only put a 10sp Campag on if you change the rear hub as I think the dish of the wheel has to be greater. (I may be wrong)

My wife's new bike has a 9sp rear with Campag 10sp ergo and Roberts have adjusted it so that it works with 9sp. Don't know how but anything is possible.

Might be easier to upgrade the levers to newer Shimano (even though it pains me to say it)

Getting mongrel transmission systems to work is possible, but you dont have to run a 9spd Campy system with 9 cogs. You can respace the 8 cogs on your Shimano 8spd. It is pretty close as it is, but you need different size spacers.
If the only problem is your front shifter, you can probably get any Campy shifter to work the front mech. I run a Campy Mirage shifter and mech with a Shimano LX chainset, with no problems.

Dutchy,
Just a couple of rambling thoughts. Since the frame is getting a little long in the tooth I don't know if I would sink too much money into it. On the other hand, of course, anything you put on now you can just move to a new frame later.

If you really want to try Campy (don't we all) are you dead set on 10sp? If you put on 9sp shifters (Record or Chorus) and a matching rear der, that might be all you need. Seems to me one of the rear ders works with both 9 or 10 sp. Anyway, the Campy 9sp shifters and rear der will work fine with Shimano cassettes. If you want to refine it a bit you can get a set of spacers from Branfordbike.com that converts a Shimano cassette to actual Campy spacing. About a year ago I called Harris Cyclery to see about getting spacers as I was planning to do exactly this - Campy Chorus 9sp shifters and der. I just happened to get Sheldon Brown on the phone who told me it wasn't necessary, that the shifters/der will work fine with regular Shimano cassette.

Later if you want to go all the way, you can get, also from Branford Bike, replacement parts to convert your 9sp shifters to 10sp, and, if I'm right about the rear der you don't even have to replace that.

So shifters and der will set you up for now. Your current front der might even work because of the way Campy shifters operate. If not, a front der isn't that much.
FWIW,
Raymond

Heres the easy answer with no mongrel half azzed cob jobs. Use any shimano 9 speed shifter with a shimano 9 speed DA rear derailer and the alternate cable mount position on the derailer to shift your 8 speed shimano cogset.Or look for NOS or lightly used shimano 8 speed shifters other than DA.Are you sure your shifting problems are not due to problems with derailer adjustment or cable tension?

Originally posted by pokey
Are you sure your shifting problems are not due to problems with derailer adjustment or cable tension?

Yeah, is this a real NEED or just trying to justify to yourself the purchase of new toys? Which, by the way, I consider an admirable pursuit! :D

Besides adjustment,cables and casing can be an issure and as a last resort,one can always hose out the shifter with a suitable solvent and relube with trifol.Several things to try before dumping money on new stuff,but new toys are always good to have.

Thank for the replies.


Yeah, is this a real NEED or just trying to justify to yourself the purchase of new toys?

It could be a bit of this, as the bike is all original other than the Shimano 16 spoke wheels, so some new bits would make an old ride a bit nicer. I would love to get a new bike but then this bike would just sit around and I can't bring myself to sell it, too many good memories.

I think the shifters are stuffed as I have to turn the left shifter from the 6 O'clock position to about 4 O'clock to engage. My brother has a new 105 set up and it barely has to be touched to work.

On the weekend I will check the cables for tension and try to fix the problem, but I suspect after 6 years it is time to get some new ones.

The reason for asking about Campagnola parts is that I have heard they are serviceable, not disposable like Shimano, is this true?


CHEERS.

Mark

It's true. The cable tension ever been adjusted on the old ones??