Bicycle Mechanics - 9 speed campagnolo centaur groupset with 8 speed shimano cassette

hey there i have a 2001 9 speed campagnolo centaur complete groupset i was hoping to install but i only have a shimano wheelset and 8 speed cassette...i can get a 9 speed cassette but will this set up even work? and if it dose can i just use the 8 speed cassette i have already? thanks!

You can do this up to a point, by using Jtek ShiftMate http://jtekengineering.com/shiftmate.htm, but looking briefly through their combinations, using 9 Speed Campag Shifters and RD with an 8 speed Shimano cassette looks to be one of a few combinations they don't support.

From what you have said you have 3 options

1, if you stick with the 8 speed Shimano cassette you could either get a ShiftMate #2 and an 8 speed Shimano RD

2, You mentioned a 9 speed Shimano cassette, if you get this, use a ShiftMate #1

3, just get a Campagnolo rear wheel / cassette (this is the option I would use)

You would need to decide what is most cost effective option for yourself.

so this wont work at all with out buying the shift mate and or 9 speed cassette?

I bought a secondhand bike with 9 speed veloce shifters, deraileurs, and a 9sp shimano cassette. It shifts perfectly. No shiftmate.

I never would have set it up myself, but it's pretty damn cool. I think the key is that it has both the campy shifter and deraileur.

So, to answer what I think the question is- NO, you'll need a 9sp shimano cassette. and chain.

Look at this written by the CTC Technical guru it explains how to mix and match different gear makes
http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3946