Bicycle Mechanics - 1993 Campy Chorus

I have 1993 8sp Campy Chorus components on my bike. I need to replace the headset, cassette, chain and bottom bracket. Not sure if I can get Campy parts for replacements. Are there alternatives if I can't?

Any standard 8-speed chain should work. I like the SRAM PC-58. As long as the BB threads, spindle taper, and spindle length are correct, substitution should be no problem there, either. Headsets have been pretty standardized for a number of years; if you replace the whole thing, you should be OK -- watch the inside and outside diameters of the races.

All your stuff is easily replaceable. I have 8sp Mirage (95 vintage), and had no problem replacing the chainrings and bb last winter (www.branfordbike.com). I have an Ultegra headset which uses replaceable sealed bearings, and have always used SRAM pc-68 chains.

I have 91 campy chorus and used the following when rebuilding my bike:
new Record threaded HS, New Record BB (make sure lenghts, threading etc are
correct) it works with the Chorus crankset. I'm using SRAM P58 chain without
any problems.
The 8 speed stuff is nice, I don't notice not having the 1 or 2 gears the new stuff
has. Cassettes can be found on e-bay, and Branford has a good selection of
8 speed parts. The one thing that is becoming scarce (according to LBS) are parts
for the shifters, I had mine rebuilt and ordered extra parts to keep should I need
another rebuild. The part to convert to 9 speed (new gear) is almost impossible
to find now.

Marty

Campy is known for its "rebuildability"; almost all parts can be ordered from Campagnolo one yar or the other. Now, I really don't know how this works in real life, what the procedure is and so on. I'd recommend you get in touch with a good store that caries Campy components and go from there.
Also, evrething that was posted earlier about the part replacement by other user holds. So I gues it's up to you. If you want ot preserve the originality of hte bike you can try and get all original parts. Otherwqise go with non-original alternatives.

phil also makes nice bb's i read.

I have 1993 8sp Campy Chorus components on my bike. I need to replace the headset, cassette, chain and bottom bracket. Not sure if I can get Campy parts for replacements. Are there alternatives if I can't?

A new Chorus threaded headset can be found on Ebay at WWCyclery for $47.95 plus shipping. There may be one up for bids, but you can Buy It Now at their Ebay store.

A Chorus 8-speed cassette is on my buy list too. I've seen them go on Ebay for about 30 or 40 bucks new. Perhaps a Record cassette would be a second choice?

I'm using an SRAM PC68 chain on my 8 speed. The PC58 is a great choice too.

Bottom bracket? Again, Ebay has a few up for bid from the early 90's as of this very moment. If your chainrings need replacing you might consider buying a newer model Chorus crankset, say a 2002 or 2003. I've got a 2003 10-speed crank/bottom bracket I'm using with my 8-speed drivetrain. To improve front derailleur shifting, due to the wider 8-speed chain, I've installed Letour .4mm spacers between the inside of the outer chainring and the crankarm. These are available at Branford Bike.

Another question. Can I replace the cassette myself or do I need to have it done at a shop? Branford Bike does have a lot of good stuff and I found an 8 sp cassette and chain. I would think I should be able to replace it but I've never done that before.

cassette replacement is a piece of cake as long as you have the right
tool to remove the lockring. I bought a 12-23 8 speed cassette, nos for
$25 off of e-bay.
Branford bikes is the place I learned about the unavailability of the upgrade
bits for going from 8 speed to 9 speed.
Be careful of the cassettes tho, there are different splines for Record/Chorus
and Daytona/Veloce etc. The two are NOT interchangeable.

Marty

So I can't use a Record 8sp with my Chorus 8sp shifters and deraileurs?

Record and Chorus are completely interchangeable.

thanks LittleGinseng for the clarification.
Record and chorus are interchangable, but not with Daytona/Veloce etc.
(but daytona/veloce/mirage are interchangable).

Marty