Is chain ring spacing standardized? I see so many bikes with 105 or even Ultegra groups listed but they end up having a Gossamer, FSA or other crank. Was thinking about trying to keep my Campy Veloce crank and converting everything else to Shimano.

Would this work?

yes

The reason otherwise all-Shimano equipped bike often have FSA cranks is purely a cost consideration. The FSA crank is far less costly for the manufacturer.

And yes, your Veloce crank will work fine.

There are small differences in ring spacing all across the board. Generally MtB has slightly wider c-c spacing then road cranks have, for the same rear cog count. The lack of trim features in most front der levers (on MtB) means that some chain rub is more likely to happen if the components don't match. We see this frequently on lower cost bikes and those where parts have been replaced (wear, "upgrading" or damaged) with non OEM ones. Actual shifting can be effected if the differences are extreem, although the usual is rub after the shift when less then direct chain line (cross chaining) is in play. Road bike shifters usually have some minor trim capibility on their front shifters (although many riders don't really understand this feature and don't engage the trim as they grind away).


Most manufacturies do try to mimic Shimano's specs best they can. Some non Shimano cranks are pretty much interchangeable with their Shimano equivelents, some less so. What we do see often is the poorer shifting that lower cost/non Shimano rings have. After all the no cost stuff is done to improve front shifting (best instruction and actual shifting techniques being #1) a swap out to a Shimano ring can make a big difference. (It is this situation that drives the push to eliminate the front shift need alltogether, IMO).


Harvieu25- Your mixed drivetrain will "work" with the proper choices, same rear cog count spec being the most important. But Shimano would say that your shifting performance will suffer and not be expected to be at the level that Shimano would claim with a completely matched system. If you found this out don't be surprised. Andy.

the chainline.. is a parallel line to the bike centerline

it ts center of rear cluster to center of the crank

if the number is odd its a cog/chainring, if even its the space between the central 2.

because the chains get thinner the chain ring teeth tips are slightly closer together
there is your difference in C&V cranks and the latest 11.

But bike chains continue to be 1/2" pin centers , link to link..