Group set Compatibility
#1
Group set Compatibility
With goal of installing my Campy parts in a new frame which is equipped with BB30 bottom bracket shell and bottom bracket, I want to use a SRAM crankset. Meanwhile, I have Campy 10-speed ("10s") parts that I like a lot.
Can I run
SRAM Red 10s crankset, chain, and cassette - with
CAMPY Record 10s brifters, derailleurs, cables, brakes ?
Any problem(s) anticipated? Can the sprockets on rear cog be spaced to approximate a Campagnolo cluster's spacing, to achieve reliable shifting behavior? Would this be necessary? Are there certain cassettes that I need to source to be able to space the cogs?
Will the little wheels of the Campy 10s Record rear derailleur engage reasonably well with the link spacings of the SRAM chain?
Any other issues to watch out for?
Thanks!!
Can I run
SRAM Red 10s crankset, chain, and cassette - with
CAMPY Record 10s brifters, derailleurs, cables, brakes ?
Any problem(s) anticipated? Can the sprockets on rear cog be spaced to approximate a Campagnolo cluster's spacing, to achieve reliable shifting behavior? Would this be necessary? Are there certain cassettes that I need to source to be able to space the cogs?
Will the little wheels of the Campy 10s Record rear derailleur engage reasonably well with the link spacings of the SRAM chain?
Any other issues to watch out for?
Thanks!!
#3
Your campy shifters work with campy derailleurs to move the chain a certain amount each shift. For 10s, that only really works with a Campy cassette.
You used to be able to find cassettes that had 10s Campy spacing that fit on Shimano/SRAM freehub bodies, if you are putting together a bike that has a Shimano/Sram rear wheel
#5
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From: Brooklyn NY
Bikes: Kuota Kredo/Chorus, Trek 7000 commuter, Trek 8000 MTB and a few others
I once tried a Shimano cassette with my Campy 10s bike and it didn't work well. Just stick with all Campy. I think SR and Shimano have the same spacing.
Also, I have another bike that has friction shifting, a 9speed Shimano chain and a 10sp Campy cassette and that works well. I was surprised that a 9sp chain would work. I haven't been on the bike in over a year, maybe I should take it for a spin. It is all original Campy SR pantograph. I have the original wheels, but the modern wheels ride much better, and 10sp shifts really well with friction shifters.
Also, I have another bike that has friction shifting, a 9speed Shimano chain and a 10sp Campy cassette and that works well. I was surprised that a 9sp chain would work. I haven't been on the bike in over a year, maybe I should take it for a spin. It is all original Campy SR pantograph. I have the original wheels, but the modern wheels ride much better, and 10sp shifts really well with friction shifters.
#6
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
#7
https://jet.com/product/detail/693c6...B&gclsrc=aw.ds
#8
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From: Bozeman
Bikes: 199? Landshark Roadshark, 198? Mondonico Diamond, 1987 Panasonic DX-5000, 1987 Bianchi Limited, Univega... Chrome..., 1989 Schwinn Woodlands, Motobecane USA Record, Raleigh Tokul 2
Art's Cyclery Blog » Science Behind the Magic | Drivetrain Compatibility
Have fun. Stuff gets complicated above 8 speeds.
Have fun. Stuff gets complicated above 8 speeds.
#9
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
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From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Yep, but if the OP has a Shimano/SRAM freehub rear wheel, you can still get the cassettes that have Campy spacing and Shimano splines:
https://jet.com/product/detail/693c6...B&gclsrc=aw.ds
https://jet.com/product/detail/693c6...B&gclsrc=aw.ds
#10
11-Speed Compatibility
Thank u 2 posters who replied, the My research suggests that the best way to integrate a SRAM drivetrain with Campagnolo shifters would be to equip the frame with Campagnolo 11-Speed brifters, derailliers and cables; as well as Campy Brakes... Would Campagnolo Athena 11-speed work fine? It costs less than 11speed Record!
#11
Thank u 2 posters who replied, the My research suggests that the best way to integrate a SRAM drivetrain with Campagnolo shifters would be to equip the frame with Campagnolo 11-Speed brifters, derailliers and cables; as well as Campy Brakes... Would Campagnolo Athena 11-speed work fine? It costs less than 11speed Record!
#12
Has anyone used 11-s SRAM drivetrain with 11-s Campy Shifters?
Thank u 2 posters who replied, the My research suggests that the best way to integrate a SRAM drivetrain with Campagnolo shifters would be to equip the frame with Campagnolo 11-Speed brifters, derailliers and cables; as well as Campy Brakes... Would Campagnolo Athena 11-speed work fine? It costs less than 11speed Record!
#13
I was not posting a question about the inter-compatibility among Campy parts. Rather, I meant to inquire after feedback regarding whether an installation of a SRAM crankset, chain, and cassette could work fine with Campagnolo brifters? I believe that the 11-speed parts are quasi-compatible among the 3 big manufacturers. But I also do not want to do anything stupid like buy parts I cannot actually use together. Thanks for allowing this clarification to my original post.
#15
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Brooklyn NY
Bikes: Kuota Kredo/Chorus, Trek 7000 commuter, Trek 8000 MTB and a few others
Is the Shiftmate still available? I thought I heard that the manufacturer gave up, or maybe died? In any case, some people loved it because you could swap it in or out, and it worked.
When I bought my Campy Chorus 10sp bike 10 years ago, I asked at the shop if I could use my Shimano/Velomax wheels. The answer was no, at least not if you wanted perfect shifting after dropping $3400 on the bike. Why kluge up an expensive bike? I did try them at some point, but as I already posted it didn't work well. As for Campy spacing on a Shimano/SRAM splined freehub and cassette, the inner limit is very tight and the two systems start at a different point. We're talking millimeter fractions here but it is surprising at what a difference they can make. Wheel dish usually has to be a little different.
I took the plunge into Campy and my only regret is that the replacement parts are so expensive. OTOH, I broke the right brifter in a crash and was able to get it re-assembled by Branford Cycles (are they still around too?). Try doing that with Shimano.
Will these combos work? Sure. Will they work flawlessly? Nope.
One type of shifting though that works a lot better than you'd think is friction shifting with the 10sp (or even 11) cassettes. With the ramps that are built into the cogs on modern cassettes, friction shifting is silent and effortless. Spacing is tighter too. A small touch of the shifter is all it usually needs, the chain will ride on the ramp to the next cog, or even skip multiple cogs, and land centered. There isn't any slop like in the old days of 5 or 6 speed, so no clanking of the chain between gears. It really works well.
When I bought my Campy Chorus 10sp bike 10 years ago, I asked at the shop if I could use my Shimano/Velomax wheels. The answer was no, at least not if you wanted perfect shifting after dropping $3400 on the bike. Why kluge up an expensive bike? I did try them at some point, but as I already posted it didn't work well. As for Campy spacing on a Shimano/SRAM splined freehub and cassette, the inner limit is very tight and the two systems start at a different point. We're talking millimeter fractions here but it is surprising at what a difference they can make. Wheel dish usually has to be a little different.
I took the plunge into Campy and my only regret is that the replacement parts are so expensive. OTOH, I broke the right brifter in a crash and was able to get it re-assembled by Branford Cycles (are they still around too?). Try doing that with Shimano.
Will these combos work? Sure. Will they work flawlessly? Nope.
One type of shifting though that works a lot better than you'd think is friction shifting with the 10sp (or even 11) cassettes. With the ramps that are built into the cogs on modern cassettes, friction shifting is silent and effortless. Spacing is tighter too. A small touch of the shifter is all it usually needs, the chain will ride on the ramp to the next cog, or even skip multiple cogs, and land centered. There isn't any slop like in the old days of 5 or 6 speed, so no clanking of the chain between gears. It really works well.
Last edited by zacster; 07-23-16 at 01:08 PM.
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