Originally Posted by
Deetox
Yes that ctc.org.uk link was the first one I looked at, I've been reading a lot of others as well.
As for my SRAM cassette isn't it the same as a Shimano 9spd cassette other than the brand name? Are there any differences in function or design that might effect compatibility with the Campy brifters? I know 9spd Shimano cassettes are cheap but I'd still like to avoid buying one if I can.
I found some 11spd Athena brifters on sale so I think I might opt for those instead of the Veloce or Centaur. I've seen it mentioned that 11spd Campy brifters index perfectly with a Shimano 9spd RD and cassette without the need for the hubbub cable routing so I guess thats probably my best option.
SRAM and Shimano cassettes have the same spacing. That is, 9-speed Shimano cassettes have the same cog to cog spacing as 9-speed SRAM cassettes. Same principle for 10-speed.
Pretty all of my bikes have Franken-drivetrains that are a mix of Shimano, SRAM, Campagnolo, Suntour and even Simplex. Once you know the cable pull, the mechanical advantage of the derailleurs involved, and the cog spacing, it is pretty easy to figure out what will work. The CTC table is very good, but I would make some adjustments to the numbers if I had the chance.
Careful about Campy 11-speed stuff. I think Campagnolo changed the derailleur geometries when they went over to 11-speed, so that the 11-speed shifters are less ShimErgo compatible that the CTC table would suggest. If the 11-speed system had preserved the same geometry as the 10-speed stuff, then you'd be correct in that you could plug some 11-speed shifters into an otherwise 9-speed Shimano system and it should all work perfectly. But I need some more evidence as to what happened to the new Campy system - including accurate cable pull measurements.
Also be careful about the newest Athena shifters, which apparently have 'Powershift' internals. I have not heard much good about this, in that I think you can only upshift 3 cogs at a time or downshift one per click. A limiting and substandard solution, which is the reason we don't ride SRAM and Shimano shifters in the first place. The older Campy shifters allowed you to shift multiple cogs in either direction at once - far superior.