Bicycle Mechanics - Upgrading Campy 8spd Ergo?

I've acquired a new (to me) road frame and planned on swapping over my '93 Campy 8spd Ergo setup which is in overall very good shape.
My rims have seen better days and still running a freewheel. Figure now may the time to make a change to a cassette and other small changes.

Other thoughts for the changes...
- I'd 'like' to have the rounded hoods. Seems more comfortable than the pointed hoods.
- Add an extra gear for tighter spacing; only one more gear and not a 10 spd but looks like I can use my existing front & rear derailleur and crank (looking to spend as little as possible).

Questions:
I've come across the following site:
http://www.wheelworks.co.nz/drivetrain.php?ST=C2&FD=C1&RD=C1&CN=C2&CS=C2&CR=C1
It appears I can keep my 8 speed front & rear derailleur and crank / rings and just change the shifters, cassette, and chain to convert to a 9 speed setup.
Any foreseeable problems? Should this work well?
Should cost ~ $400 dollars for all based upon ebay pricing (including basic/descent wheelset). And, should be able to get ~ half back from selling old shifter / hubs (Phil Wood).

I've searched the forum and just discovered campyonly.com & branfordbike.com along with the above wheelworks link - any other helpful sites?

Thanks,
Steve

The Campagnolo rear derailleur actuation ratio changed in 2001. If you go with later shifters you will also need a later rear derailleur.
I believe your 8-speed RD will work with the earlier 9-speed shifters.
I don't know how to tell the difference in the earlier and later rear derailleur.

edit: Here is a chart that shows the changes in cable pull and actuation ratios going from 8-speed to old 9-speed to new 9-speed. Scroll down to the Campagnolog chart: http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3946#Shiftratio

The 8-speed cable pull is shown as 3.5 mm
The old 9-speed is 3.2 mm
The new 9-speed is 3.0 mm

The 8-speed RD actuation ratio is 1.4
The old 9-speed ratio is 1.4
The new 9-speed ratio is 1.5

The numbers on the chart are rounded off and very precise. The idea is that you need the correct cable pull and actuation ratio to match the cog spacing on the cassette.

If you are going to make a change to 9speed, I would recommend making the jump to 10 speed. But from my experience I prefer the pointy hoods. I have two road bikes...one with chorus 8 speed and one with record 10 speed. I find the 8 speed levers with their pointy hoods much more comfortable than the rounded hood 10 speed levers.

-j

Waste of time and money, IMO. I've used Campy since 1995 when it was 8 speed. New Campy Veloce 10 or Centaur 10 upgrade groups would be a far wiser choice. The ergonomics of the 2009+ groups are far better than previous years. The 2010 groups are actually superior to 2011, which both get downgraded shifters.

It appears I can keep my 8 speed front & rear derailleur and crank / rings and just change the shifters, cassette, and chain to convert to a 9 speed setup.
Any foreseeable problems? Should this work well?


Replacing derailleur jockey wheels and bolts with the narrower 9 speed parts will give you a hair more spoke clearance and is the 'correct' upgrade.

Watch the shifter vintage for compatibility since you might have a hard time finding an 'old 9 speed' index disc to make a newer shifter work with your older derailleur.

I second just making the jump to 10 speed.