Bicycle Mechanics - Campy 9 to 10 sp

I'm thinking about doing a swap to Campy 10 sp. Besides chain, cassette and shifters has anyone reused any of the 9 sp derailleurs or crank? I know the only real difference in rear ders is the jockey wheels. Problem is new wheels and 10 sp bolts cost almost as much as a Veloce or Mirage der.

The 9 speed crank may work, since the only difference is the big ring on a 10 speed crank being .4mm closer to the little ring.

The RD will be a problem, since the actuation ratio is slightly different. Unfortuantely, I don't know if it's smaller or larger. Campy made another change to the actuation ratio with the new 11 speed RD. I was able to check out the difference and came up with a simple method of increasing the travel on a 10 speed RD to match the new 11 speed, which has a slightly larger actuation ratio.

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=160601

I highly recommend the 2009 ultrashift ergo levers, that are cheap from Ribble and start at the Veloce level. You might consider an 11 speed Athena RD too. It will work with 10 speed, since the small amount of overtravel is quite tolerable. That would pave the way to a future upgrade to 11 speed, since the shifters can be converted.

The 9 speed crank may work, since the only difference is the big ring on a 10 speed crank being .4mm closer to the little ring.

I suspected as much. All Campy did was scallop the chainring where the mounting bolt goes. That moved the chainrings a little closer without having to change the actual forging or machining on the spider.


The RD will be a problem, since the actuation ratio is slightly different. Unfortuantely, I don't know if it's smaller or larger. Campy made another change to the actuation ratio with the new 11 speed RD. I was able to check out the difference and came up with a simple method of increasing the travel on a 10 speed RD to match the new 11 speed, which has a slightly larger actuation ratio.

Well, yes and no. On pre 2000 derailleurs the 9 sp actuation ratio is the same as an 8 sp. On the post 2000 9 & 10 sp are the same. I wasn't worried about the ratio. I was worried about difference in spacing on the pulleys. I didn't know if the wider 9 sp cages would have too much slop with narrow 10 sp chain. Campy is notoriusly fussy.


http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=160601 C40 really is an expert.


I highly recommend the 2009 ultrashift ergo levers, that are cheap from Ribble and start at the Veloce level. You might consider an 11 speed Athena RD too. It will work with 10 speed, since the small amount of overtravel is quite tolerable. That would pave the way to a future upgrade to 11 speed, since the shifters can be converted.

Brifters would be nice. The bike has Campy barcons on it now. The upgrade to 10 sp is a new $10 Ergo gear. :D Can't beat the price.

What I'm really looking for is someone who actually did the conversion with some real world opinions. I'm trying to keep this as a budget swap.

I've used Tacx pulleys: http://www.lickbike.com/productpage.aspx?PART_NUM_SUB='0485-05' on both my Campy 9 and 10 speed systems. They use the same bushing for both, so I don't think you need to replace the bolts. They are cheap and I've had no problems with shifting when using them. You might want to give them a try. I've also used 8 speed cranks on a 9 speed set-up. So, I think a 9 to a 10 will work.

Well, yes and no. On pre 2000 derailleurs the 9 sp actuation ratio is the same as an 8 sp. On the post 2000 9 & 10 sp are the same. I wasn't worried about the ratio. I was worried about difference in spacing on the pulleys. I didn't know if the wider 9 sp cages would have too much slop with narrow 10 sp chain. Campy is notoriusly fussy.

C40 really is an expert.



Brifters would be nice. The bike has Campy barcons on it now. The upgrade to 10 sp is a new $10 Ergo gear. :D Can't beat the price.

What I'm really looking for is someone who actually did the conversion with some real world opinions. I'm trying to keep this as a budget swap.

Some people know that I also post as C-40 on RBR.

The pulleys should not be a problem. Current replacment pulleys are 9/10 speed. The cage width should not be an issue, since they have nothing to do with slop. The chain self-centers on the pulley.

If you have a 2001 or newer RD, there should be no problem, as you noted. If you have a B screw in the traditional location, at the back of the dropout, then you have an older RD.

Even with an older RD, I would test it's alignment, on the bike, without the chain. That's what I did to evaluate the 10/11 difference. Align the top pulley with the smallest cog, then shift up to the largest cog, swing the pulley up close to the large cog and see if it's short on travel. If it's only 2-3mm, then the same method I use to correct the travel for 10/11 should fix the problem.

Some people know that I also post as C-40 on RBR.

I guess I'm not one of them. Well, now I am. Do you ever post on Campyonly?


The pulleys should not be a problem. Current replacment pulleys are 9/10 speed. The cage width should not be an issue, since they have nothing to do with slop. The chain self-centers on the pulley.

If you have a 2001 or newer RD, there should be no problem, as you noted. If you have a B screw in the traditional location, at the back of the dropout, then you have an older RD.

Even with an older RD, I would test it's alignment, on the bike, without the chain. That's what I did to evaluate the 10/11 difference. Align the top pulley with the smallest cog, then shift up to the largest cog, swing the pulley up close to the large cog and see if it's short on travel. If it's only 2-3mm, then the same method I use to correct the travel for 10/11 should fix the problem.

Thanks for the info.

I never post on Campy only. I visit RBR, Velonews, weight weenies and the Serotta websites regularly.