Bicycle Mechanics - Campy shifter cables same as Shimano

A friend dropped off his Campy to change his shifter cables and housing. I have shifter cables I've been using for Shimano bikes. Are they the same for Campy, aka will they work on a Campy?

No they are not. Campy Ergos use a very slightly smaller barrel end than Shimano STIs and using Shimano cables in them will likely jam the end fitting in very firmly. It will work until you have to replace that cable and can't remove the old one without drilling it out. Jagwire makes double ended shift cables with a Shimano barrel on one end (embossed "S") and a Campy barrel at the other (embossed "C") and you just cut off the unneeded end.

If you can't get the proper cable, you can file down the diameter of a Shimano cable end to fit the Campy brifter using the old cable end as a size guide.

+1,

Campy heads are a bit smaller. When I ran Campy's east coast service center I had a steady volume of levers sent in with the old cable jammed into the cam. it was enough that I ended up making a small tool for the express purpose of pushing the jammed heads out.

Regardless of markings test the fit by putting the head into the pocket for it backwards before treading the wire. it should fit absolutely freely. A borderline fit that's sort of snug will bind later on because corrosion swells the zinc head slightly making a kiss fit into a jammed fit.

While you're at it, dip the cable head in grease or oil to make your life easier when you go to remove it a few years later.

The LBS said they were the same so I got the standard Shimano. I'll have to go to a different bike shop.

The only thing different is the head, and putting a tap of grease on it is a good idea. I have synthetic grease I use for the wheel bearings, that will work well as it won't harden or get thick. A creme consistency.

What about the housing? Is it the same for Shimano and Campy? aka will the diameter of the cable be the same if I get the correct Campy cable.

The LBS said they were the same so I got the standard Shimano. I'll have to go to a different bike shop.

The only thing different is the head, and putting a tap of grease on it is a good idea. I have synthetic grease I use for the wheel bearings, that will work well as it won't harden or get thick. A creme consistency.

What about the housing? Is it the same for Shimano and Campy? aka will the diameter of the cable be the same if I get the correct Campy cable.
It's amazing how many LBS's are unfamiliar with Campy components and their foibles. Either get the correct cable or modify the Shimano cable end so it fits freely in the Campy brifter. Yes, the housings are the same.

actually, the compatability is a bit interesting. The older ergopower and newer ultrashift veloce levers will work with shimano shifter cables, but the new powershift levers will not.

The cable OD and housing ID are slightly different for campy as well. It's not enough to cause binding problems, but it's less than ideal.
Same issue with the brake cables. The heads and diameter of the cables are slightly different between shimano and campy, but not so much that they are problematic.


It's nothing that can't be solved if you use a metal file.

actually, the compatability is a bit interesting. The older ergopower and newer ultrashift veloce levers will work with shimano shifter cables, but the new powershift levers will not.....It's nothing that can't be solved if you use a metal file.
My 2006 Ergopower brifters will not take the standard Shimano shifter end fitting properly and require the smaller "Campy" end. They also need a slightly smaller brake cable end fittings. As noted, a file solves all problems.

My 2006 Ergopower brifters will not take the standard Shimano shifter end fitting properly and require the smaller "Campy" end. They also need a slightly smaller brake cable end fittings. As noted, a file solves all problems.

ah, that's interesting. my 2007 veloce levers accept shimano shifter cables no problem.