Bicycle Mechanics - Road bike part compatibility.

Greetings,

I'm in the process ov building my first road bike. I have a 1986 Peugeot Triathlon frame that was recently painted and clear-coated by a friend and fellow painter. I really wanted to fit this bike with Campagnolo hardware but I'm running into a problem, I'll try and keep this as succinct as I can:

My rear cassette is an 8-speed, 12-25, Campagnolo exa-drive. I have a 2009 Campagnolo Centaur 10-speed rear derailleur. When it came time for me to find a set ov shifting levers, I asked my LBS about a set ov Campagnolo 10-speed brifters. What I was told was "a campy ten speed rear derailleur HAS to have a campy ten speed cassette." Apparently this would require a new hub, cassette, and wheel which would cost considerably more than I wanted to spend since I already have a nice Ambrosio rear wheel with a campy hub.

Long story short: I was told that you can't cut corners with Campagnolo hardware and that I'd be better off with Shimano.
I'm really feeling quite stupid right now because I always figured that I could adjust the high/low point on the rear derailleur to work with an 8-speed cassette but apparently that wouldn't work.

Should I just ditch the campy hardware and go with Shimano? If I did this, what should I keep?
I have a Campagnolo Veloce crankset that I'm sure wouldn't have any issues with Shimano parts. Basically, I want a nice/affordable set-up but I realize those two words don't seem to really go together when it comes to road bikes.

Anyway, sorry for the long-winded question. I'm sure the answer(s) is/are much shorter.

You didn't finish the question. What's the alternative if you stay with Campagnolo? The only supposedly mis-matched component right now is the RD (from one point of view; from the other it's the wheel and cassette). Couldn't you finish the build with compatible parts?

First off, I don't understand why you want to - or think that you can - mix an 8-speed cassette with 10-speed shifters? That would be a big problem with Shimano, too.

The bottom line is, no you can't just throw parts at a bike and think they'll work together. Some might, some won't. Put together a plan, ask for advice, then execute the plan.

Well, there is an inexpensive answer and it's called bar-end shifters in friction mode...

Of course, that might not be what you're looking for.

Well, I have some Shimano 7-speed bar end shifters but I just don't like them that much. I know this sounds crazy but I actually prefer downtube shifters to bar-ends.
I'll probably just sell the Centaur rear derailleur and try and track down a campy 8-speed rear derailleur. That seems like the cheapest way to go about things.
Forgive me for my lack ov knowledge, I'm fairly new to this but I'm trying to learn as much as I can in the process.
Thank you for the advice! I really do appreciate it.

I could be wrong, but the derailleur may be OK. I would track down some 8 speed shifters first, if the 10 speed RD doesn't work , at that point change it up.

Good luck!

I could be wrong, but the derailleur may be OK. I would track down some 8 speed shifters first, if the 10 speed RD doesn't work , at that point change it up.

Good luck!

That's what I thought but the guy at my LBS said I couldn't set the high/low point on the centaur and expect it to work. I still don't understand why Campy rear derailleurs HAVE to be a campy cassette ov matching speed but then there are a lot ov things I don't understand.

I mean, it seems like it would work in friction mode but the guy said it wouldn't stay in gear or something to that effect.

I would love to be able to keep it though.

That's what I thought but the guy at my LBS said I couldn't set the high/low point on the centaur and expect it to work. I still don't understand why Campy rear derailleurs HAVE to be a campy cassette ov matching speed but then there are a lot ov things I don't understand.

I mean, it seems like it would work in friction mode but the guy said it wouldn't stay in gear or something to that effect.

I would love to be able to keep it though.

Friction shifters make everything compatible. Find a bike shop guy who knows what he's talking about.

Well this is good news to me. I won't have to spend anymore money. I'll just finish building it with the parts I have. Thank you for the advice.