Classic & Vintage - Racing Triple Question

This may not quite rate as C&V era, but I've got my hands on some Racing Triple components, 8 speed and 9 speed, and I 'm wondering where they fit in Campy's lineup in terms of quality. Were they roughly the equivalent of Chorus, Centaur, or Veloce? Thanks for any info!

I believe Racing Triple would be considered high end. At one time they were Athena, before they were renamed Racing. That would put them between Chorus and Centaur.

I have a Racing Triple crankset with front and rear derailleurs. I really don't know where they fit, but the crank arm designs look identical to those of a recent 10 speed Veloce compact double that takes square tapers. I do consider it high end, but the finish does not match Record. I don't know if mine are 8 or 9. I used it with a 7-speed friction shifted rear end.

Thank you John and Road Fan!

Now I have a followup question.

I have a set of Record 8-speed indexed downtube shifters from the early 90's. These are not the old Synchro shifters, but the more precise 3 spring design that is also used in Campy's bar end shifting mechanism. Being that the shifter for the front is indexed, could I use these shifters with a Racing Triple 8-speed RD, Racing Triple 9-speed FD, and Racing Triple crank for an 8-speed DT shifting triple setup? Would this setup function properly without any complications? Would I be able to get adequate range from the friction shifter to allow the FD to cover all 3 rings?

I can't imagine trying to locate a set of 8-speed Campy triple brifters in decent shape, let alone what they would cost.

Thank you John and Road Fan!

Now I have a followup question.

I have a set of Record 8-speed indexed downtube shifters from the early 90's. These are not the old Synchro shifters, but the more precise 3 spring design that is also used in Campy's bar end shifting mechanism. Being that the shifter for the front is indexed, could I use these shifters with a Racing Triple 8-speed RD, Racing Triple 9-speed FD, and Racing Triple crank for an 8-speed DT shifting triple setup? Would this setup function properly without any complications? Would I be able to get adequate range from the friction shifter to allow the FD to cover all 3 rings?

I can't imagine trying to locate a set of 8-speed Campy triple brifters in decent shape, let alone what they would cost.

I have no idea. For a question like this I would look up a shop, Vecchio's Bike Shop in Boulder, Colorado. Phone or contact them and speak to Peter Chisolm. Peter is one of the top Campy history and compatibility experts in the country. They have a website, too, but you're best off just googling Vecchio, Boulder, CO.

I think you're safe, as long as '9-speed' isn't silkscreened somewhere on your rear derailleur. Here's a quote from a great website for rigging up Shimano-Campagnolo hybrid drivetrains:

http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3946


Prior to the turn of the century, Campag rear mechs had a low shift ratio of 1.4 and their shifters pulled a lot more cable than Shimano's. These mechs had their angle adjustment screw in the usual place, up where they fix to the frame and the shifters did not say how many speeds they were for.

Also, any of the 8 speed Campy ergo shifters will handle a triple, as they have a multi-stop ratching mechanism, unlike Shimano, and possibly their new QS shifters (not exactly sure on that one).

I think the setup you describe should work just fine.

Oh, and go look at some of the completed auctions on ebay for Racing T stuff. You have yourself some nice components! I've got them, too, on a build, and they function flawlessly - mated to a pair of Record 8 speed ergos!

I would give it a shot. Being DT shifters, if it doesn't work, you don't have a lot of time/labor involved to try to make it work. It's just a cable and pivot ;)

I'm getting ready to embark on a similar journey, albeit with Shimano.

I'm going to see what will work with a set of 10 speed STI's I have on a sort of Frankenbuild. I'm just gathering bits now.

I have similar derailleurs on my chrome P 15. I had to modify the adjustment screw to make it work on a 5 speed rear. I use Shimano barcons and that bike is the best friction shifter that I have ever ridden.

I've been getting outbid on every Racing Triple that comes up on eBay. I want to replace the ill-shifting Nuovo Record with Rally cage I have on my PX10.

... Would I be able to get adequate range from the friction shifter to allow the FD to cover all 3 rings? ...

I have a set of C-Record DT retro-friction shifters that have enough cable pull to get the chain on all three rings of a triplized NR crank. My guess is your DT shifters will cover the Racing Triple chainrings with no problems.

I've been getting outbid on every Racing Triple that comes up on eBay. I want to replace the ill-shifting Nuovo Record with Rally cage I have on my PX10.

That happened to me several times. Sniped in the last 8 seconds. I finally gave up and went with a "second chance" purchase. I paid way more than I should have for the RD, but at least it was a NOS piece.

I will say that RT RD shifts the PC-870 chain very well across the Shimano HG 14X28 7 cog FW and takes up the extra chain from the 52/42/32 triplized NR crankset with no problem. However, the RT FD doesn't work as well as Id like on the NR crank. It sometimes takes a while to pull the chain over to the 32 ring, but does work. Upshifting between all rings works well, and shifting from the 52 to the 42 is great.

And the derailleurs look good, IMHO.

I have a set of C-Record DT retro-friction shifters that have enough cable pull to get the chain on all three rings of a triplized NR crank. My guess is your DT shifters will cover the Racing Triple chainrings with no problems.

That sounds promising. Thanks for the info!


I think you're safe, as long as '9-speed' isn't silkscreened somewhere on your rear derailleur. Here's a quote from a great website for rigging up Shimano-Campagnolo hybrid drivetrains:

http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3946


I think I am going to have to "try this out" as John suggested. The information in the link you provided is very good. However, the RD I asked about is 8-speed so, based on the information in the article, it definitely uses the long cable pull. But since I am planning to use it with a set of 8-speed indexed downtube shifters, it would seem that they should be made for each other. I don't think the 9-speed FD and crank should matter.

To take this a step further, if I am understanding all of this correctly, say you were to use one of these Racing Triple RDs on an old friction 7 or 8 speed double system to accomodate a wide range freewheel or cassette for mountain riding (say a 12-28 or 12-34). Then you would definitely want to use the more recent 9 speed RDs with the silk screened '9 speed' so that the cable pull requirements are less on your friction shifters. Does that make sense? In a friction setup is less cable pull always a good thing, both because it makes the shifter more responsive (that might be a bad thing) and because excessive cable pull may cause a friction shifter to not be able to cover the entire range of gearing. Is that right? Or do these things just not matter in a friction setup because of its simplicity?


Also, any of the 8 speed Campy ergo shifters will handle a triple, as they have a multi-stop ratching mechanism, unlike Shimano, and possibly their new QS shifters (not exactly sure on that one).

Are you saying that there really never was a triple specific set of 8-speed brifters, that the same brifters were used for both double and triple setups? I don't think I've ever seen a pair of 8-speed triple brifters for sale. Is that the reason?

However, the RD I asked about is 8-speed so, based on the information in the article, it definitely uses the long cable pull. But since I am planning to use it with a set of 8-speed indexed downtube shifters, it would seem that they should be made for each other. I don't think the 9-speed FD and crank should matter.

You're right, crank and FD don't matter. I was simply suggesting you confirm the RD to be 8 speed, or older 9 speed, which will work perfectly.


To take this a step further, if I am understanding all of this correctly, say you were to use one of these Racing Triple RDs on an old friction 7 or 8 speed double system to accomodate a wide range freewheel or cassette for mountain riding (say a 12-28 or 12-34). Then you would definitely want to use the more recent 9 speed RDs with the silk screened '9 speed' so that the cable pull requirements are less on your friction shifters. Does that make sense? In a friction setup is less cable pull always a good thing, both because it makes the shifter more responsive (that might be a bad thing) and because excessive cable pull may cause a friction shifter to not be able to cover the entire range of gearing. Is that right? Or do these things just not matter in a friction setup because of its simplicity?

On a friction levers, I don't think it matters. You simply need an RD that has enough range for your freewheel. Honestly, I don't understand the engineering behind the diifference in pull. Maybe it has a tighter spring? I just don't know.


Are you saying that there really never was a triple specific set of 8-speed brifters, that the same brifters were used for both double and triple setups? I don't think I've ever seen a pair of 8-speed triple brifters for sale. Is that the reason?

That's what I'm saying, and I believe this is true well into the 10 speed stuff, too. I think that changed recently with the introduction of QS, but don't quote me on it.

That's what I'm saying, and I believe this is true well into the 10 speed stuff, too. I think that changed recently with the introduction of QS, but don't quote me on it.

On 9 speed, I know I have a set of triple specific brifters, or at least that's how they were sold to me. Either I was being misled or there are different 9 speed brifters for doubles and triples. Of course the seller might have stated that because they came off a triple bike and he did not know they could be used as a double also. But I sure would like to know for certain if double brifters can just be routinely used in a triple setup. Perhaps this is tied to the time when Campy started to trim the front in an indexed manner rather than straight friction. That indexing might require different brifters for a triple. Would there be any difference in the rear brifter on a triple setup? The cassette wouldn't necessarily change so why would the rear brifter be any different from double to triple unless there is some variance with the brifter gearing and cable pull between a double and triple.

On 9 speed, I know I have a set of triple specific brifters, or at least that's how they were sold to me. Either I was being misled or there are different 9 speed brifters for doubles and triples. Of course the seller might have stated that because they came off a triple bike and he did not know they could be used as a double also. But I sure would like to know for certain if double brifters can just be routinely used in a triple setup. Perhaps this is tied to the time when Campy started to trim the front in an indexed manner rather than straight friction. That indexing might require different brifters for a triple. Would there be any difference in the rear brifter on a triple setup? The cassette wouldn't necessarily change so why would the rear brifter be any different from double to triple unless there is some variance with the brifter gearing and cable pull between a double and triple.

Must have been a take-off from a triple chainring bike, because they are double/triple compatible.

I know you should never say never but...I have NEVER heard of a Campagnolo triple specific ergo lever (brifter). Nor have I ever heard of one being indexed. They are ratcheting shifters and they work on either double or triple chainrings. At least mine certainly do. I don't know about the downtube shifters but it would not be surprised if they work the same way.

Poor choice of words on my part Kommisar89. I was thinking about indexed DT shifters rather than ratcheting brifters. In the case of a triple, wouldn't a ratcheting front brifter require a little different setup from a double due to the fact that the trim is required over a greater distance, 3 rings rather than 2, or is that merely accomplished by increasing limit adjustments at the derailleur?

Poor choice of words on my part Kommisar. I was thinking about indexed DT shifters rather than ratcheting brifters. In the case of a triple, wouldn't a ratcheting front brifter require a little different setup from a double due to the fact that the trim is required over a greater distance, 3 rings rather than 2, or is that merely accomplished by increasing limit adjustments at the derailleur?

Exactly. There is enough travel in the Campy ratcheting mechanism to cover three chainrings. For a double, you simply use less of the range.

Shimano brifters (or STI) is indeed indexed on the front (left) shifter. For every click, it shifts to a different chainring. Campy Ergos on the other hand click-click-click until the chain moves. It's a very smooth motion, however. I find both of my ergo setups (8 speed Record and 9 speed Mirage) to work flawlessly and easily on a triple chainring setup.

Poor choice of words on my part Kommisar89. I was thinking about indexed DT shifters rather than ratcheting brifters. In the case of a triple, wouldn't a ratcheting front brifter require a little different setup from a double due to the fact that the trim is required over a greater distance, 3 rings rather than 2, or is that merely accomplished by increasing limit adjustments at the derailleur?

Yep, limit adjusters. The Shimano downtube shifters I have are not indexed on the front either, just ratcheting. Now the modern Shimano STI stuff is indexed on the front but not the downtube shifters.