Bicycle Mechanics - Opinions: Campy Chorus 8-speed

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View Full Version : Opinions: Campy Chorus 8-speed

roccobike
02-14-09, 06:17 AM
I might be buying a bike with Campagnolo Chorus group, 8 speed brake/shifters, derailers etc. I've only paid casual attention to the Campy posts here because I've not purchased bikes with Campy brake/shifters before, but I recall some negative comments about early Campagnolo brake/shifters. This set-up is 1996 or 1997 vintage.
Is there anything to be concerned about, performance related?
Many thanks in advance for comments:

Steev
02-14-09, 06:43 AM
I don't think you'll find any performance issues with that group.
The issue that might give you problem is that Campagnolo dropped support for the 8 speed stuff some time ago so getting spares is often a matter of upgrading.
DaveSSS
02-14-09, 06:44 AM
It's nearly impossible to find repair parts for 8 speed Campy. The Campy 8 speed freehub spline pattern is also not compatible with the newer 9/10/11 speed. Campy introduced 9 speed in 1997 and 10 speed in 2000. I would not invest in a bike with Campy 8 unless you're into vintage bikes.

cranky old road
02-14-09, 07:48 AM
I have an 8 speed Campagnolo bike and agree with the two previous posters.
cs1
02-14-09, 06:59 PM
I have an 8 speed Campagnolo bike and agree with the two previous posters.

I wound up selling off all my 8 sp parts because of that also. Even the lowly Mirage 8 sp rear ders are getting expensive on ebay. Branfordbike used to sell a good selection of Ergo rebuild parts. Campy has since discontinued almost all of them. You really on your own with 8 sp and pre 2001 9 sp. Stick to 10 sp. Good luck.
operator
02-15-09, 01:05 AM
I might be buying a bike with Campagnolo Chorus group, 8 speed brake/shifters, derailers etc. I've only paid casual attention to the Campy posts here because I've not purchased bikes with Campy brake/shifters before, but I recall some negative comments about early Campagnolo brake/shifters. This set-up is 1996 or 1997 vintage.
Is there anything to be concerned about, performance related?
Many thanks in advance for comments:

8 speed is dead and orphaned group. It's compatible with nothing except itself. Unless it's free, don't buy it.
roccobike
02-15-09, 06:14 AM
I wound up selling off all my 8 sp parts because of that also. Even the lowly Mirage 8 sp rear ders are getting expensive on ebay. Branfordbike used to sell a good selection of Ergo rebuild parts. Campy has since discontinued almost all of them. You really on your own with 8 sp and pre 2001 9 sp. Stick to 10 sp. Good luck.

Thanks for all the responses. This response really got my attention because if the bike is a 97, it won't be an 8 speed, it will be a 9 speed. I thought I was safe with 9 speed, but it appears that's a problem too?