Zaphod Beeblebrox 

I don't hate the way the campy brifters look...enough that if the price is right I'd even consider putting them on my own bike.

I'm trying to look on ebay to get an idea of prices but I'm not really sure what I should be looking for.

Ideally I'd like some kind of campagnolo brifter that would work with some 126mm hub. I don't care how many gears.

What are my options?

I'm a total Campa-tard...I don't know the product hierarchy at all and I have no clue about compatibility between things.

Kimmo 

Well, the older 8spd jobs use the same spacing (or near as dammit) as Shimano 7spd, so that idea should work out fine.

Incidentally, I've never experienced finer shifting than Ergopower on Hyperglide... the 7spd setup has really robust indexing too; you hardly ever have to fiddle with it.

Of course, you'll also need a suitable Campag rear derailleur... unless you can find an appropriate Shiftmate.

miamijim

Alot of the Campy Ergo levers were used in multiple groups therefore I'd do some research. Why spend extra money on Record when you can get identicle in every way Chorus for less?

Ex Pres 

The first Ergo Campy was 8s and used 130mm spacing, just like the current 11s.
Heck, Campy's first 7s freewheel was designed for 130mm spacing.

But, 8s Ergo shifts 5mm per shift, which is the same as almost all 7 speed, so you can limit out one click and use it with a 126mm 7s setup.

clubman 

I rode ergo 8's in the mid 90's and the scuttlebutt was that Shimano freewheels couldn't shift correctly with Campy brifters. So we never tried it.

stien

Really regret selling my 8s record group now. Should but it on my Bianchi. One day.

cudak888 

Out of curiosity, are Campagnolo's cogs as thick as Shimano's?

-Kurt

Ex Pres 

As per Sheldon, Campy 8s cogs = 1.9mm, Shimano HG 7s =1.85mm (SRAM 7s freewheel = 1.8mm)

The Shimano 7s IGs were 2.35mm, which may explain clubman's recollection.

cudak888 

Well, for swapping indexing amongst levers, spacing is of equal concern - a Campagnolo 8-speed cog plus its spacer is 1.9+3.1=5mm, and Shimano 7 is 1.85+3.15=5mm. Identical. The 0.05mm lost in the cog width is taken up by the spacer.

Shimano 8-speed, however, is 1.8+3.0=4.8mm - which is why 8-speed Campag won't work with Shimano 8-speed, but will work with Shimano 7, minus a click.

-Kurt

jan nikolajsen 

8 speed Ergo, Chorus level or above. You won't be disappointed. They also look rather unobtrusive compared to later models (and all Shimano units).

To convert a 126mm friction shift bike, all you need is a 7 speed freewheel of your choice, a 8sp Campy RD and the 8sp Ergo's. Chain, crank and FD are of little concern.

This is a great article: https://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3946

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

Sounds like Chorus is the way to go then. I'm completely ignorant of the whole model Hierarchy....is there a reference for that anyone can point me to?

Good thing for me is that I've already got a shimano HG 7 speed rear wheel spaced to 126 on the bike I'm considering this for...so I'm 1/3 of the way there.

Jan, that article is great. Thats goin in the bookmarks.

The unobtrusive look of the ergos is what's got me interested. I've ridden and liked Shimano Brifters, I just find them terribly ugly.

s70rguy

Athena is very good too; Sachs used rebadged Athena's in their New Success group if I'm not mistaken, and that group was used in pro racing.

Old Fat Guy

Daytona/Cenaur is fine as well. There wasn't that much difference in the Ergo levers at that time.

And please, they are Ergo's, not brifters. There is no such thing as a brifter.

miamijim

Thank you so much. I despise the word 'brifter' and to be honest, I dont reply to most threads in which the OP uses the word.

Campy: Ergo
Shimano: STI

ColonelJLloyd 

fify

While neither company uses the term in their marketing, I see the word used a great deal and most cyclists are familiar with the definition.

JunkYardBike

Well, 'brifter' is now in common usage, so why not accept it? I don't find it any more offensive than Ergo or STI. It's all just techno-babble anyway.

Even Sheldon accepted it: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_bo-z.html

Who in the world is Bruce Frech?

4Rings6Stars

^^Shimano uses(d) STI to refer to non-brakeshifter units as well though. I think the term "brifter" is lame too but works fine to refer to the whole realm of integrated shift/brake levers encompassing all brands.


I don't have an issue with STI aesthetics as much but I prefer Ergos mainly because the front dérailleur shifting is better than shimano. (I'm comparing 10s Record to 9s 105 and Tiagra if that has any relevance)

JunkYardBike

I've got a couple thousand miles on a set of Tiagra 9 sp and I find the front shifting on a triple crank flawless. I agree that Shimano is ugly as sin, but it's generally less expensive and more ubiquitous, thus it's easier to find components. With Campy, the expense is higher and the selection more narrow. However, if Zaphod can find a set of 8 speed ergos and rear derailleur in excellent condition, it shouldn't be much more expensive than going with Shimano 7 speed brifters.

bigbossman 

I think the main beef is that the lower end Shimano stuff has very little (none, in fact) trim on the FD, while Campy has a lot. You're right - properly set up, the Shimano works great. But Campy has so much trim built into the front shifter that it is a clear winner IMO.

At least, that's the way it was the last time I played with Shimano - maybe they've addressed the issue in the current models.

Campy 8 speed Ergo shifters typically sell in the $60-$90 range on eBay, so they are not too expensive. And they are infinitely rebuildable.

Old Fat Guy

Thanks for the grammar correction, and by the way, Campagnolo has always referred to their levers as 'Ergopower', check the published materials.

LesterOfPuppets

I think the Colonel was referring to "brifter" when he said "I see the word used a great deal and most cyclists are familiar with the definition."

ColonelJLloyd 

Correct, brifter was the word in question.

OFG, I corrected your punctuation rather than your grammar and I meant no offense. I assume we're all pretty thick-skinned around here.

JunkYardBike

Mine are 2005/2006 and have a trim function on the left shifter. True, not as many stops as on the Campy friction ratcheting system, but it works. I imagine the Campy system can last longer, however, and once the accuation on the Shimano shifter goes south, it's over. But hasn't Campy gone to indexed front on its most recent ergo shifters?

Also, are 8 speed index gears available anymore? I know Branford Bike used to have them, but I can't find any on their website.

My suggestion would be that if he goes with 8 speed, he is certain they are functioning perfectly and that he gets them from a trusted source, which could mean investing more than $90.

bigbossman 

Hmmm..... last time I played with "lower than 105" stuff, there were only two clicks on the left shifter for triples. One had to get it adjusted just right to make it work well. Sounds like the problem has been addressed.

WRT new Campagnolo 8 speed stuff..... I don't think new shifters are offered by retailer. You pretty much have to buy them used. Branford Bike will sell you the rebuild kits, or do the rebuild for you if you send the shifter in to them. New 8 speed cassettes are still readily available on-line through the usual suspects.

JunkYardBike

I mean the index gears themselves no longer appear available through Branford. I only see 9 and 10 speed gears. There definitely were 8 speed gears when I looked a couple years ago...but no more it seems. Not a huge deal, as they are still available used, and if he get hold of some Ergos in excellent condition, the gears should last at least 10,000 miles.