Campy Ultrashift Compatibility
 

Do Ultrashift shifters work with derailleurs that go with Powershift shifters?

(Basically, if you have Chorus 11sp shifters, will they work with Potenza/Centaur 11sp rear mechs?)

I believe this might help what you are getting at: https://www.campagnolo.com/media/fil...ev03_07_17.pdf

Oh wow. I'm surprised to see Potenza and Centaur aren't even compatible with each other.

You don't happen to know why, do you?

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but I do indeed need to know if Potenza and the new Centaur are cross compatible, and if not, why. I have gear in boxes waiting for installation, specifically Potenza shifters and the new Centaur rear derailleurs.

I have carefully examined the Centaur and Potenza shifters. I cannot see any differences, apart from the barrel that rotates and pulls the cable are different colors, and the Centaur barrel is labelled with an 'E'. IIRC.

I have measured the cable pull of the Centaur and Potenza shifters. As far a I can measure, they are the same. Spring tension... since both shifters are Powershift, I should assume that both shifters pull the shifter cable with the same amount of force? That I cannot measure.

Assuming that both shifters pull the same amount of cable, and the cassette spacing for Campagnolo 11 is uniform across all models (it is), then the derailleurs must be functionally cross-compatible. Except perhaps for the strength of the derailleur return springs.

Anyone with a deep knowledge of this? Please please please do not respond if you intend to use any of: 'friction', 'Shift mate', 'alternative cable routing', 'just try it', or 'manufacturer specifications'. Thank you.

Measuring cable pull accurately isn't easy. I made a precision gage with a 2 inch travel dial indicator and I've compared pre and post 2014 shifters to prove the difference. I've never had any shifters below chorus level to measure. I suspect that current centaur and the no longer made potenza are the same, but I'd get an opinion from old potatoe on the paceline forum. He's a Campy expert dating back many years. He does think that pre and post 2014 shifters can be interchanged, but I know the 2015+ models pull more cable.

Back in 2008, I found that a 10 speed RD could be used with the new 11 speed shifters, just by grinding the cable clamp bolt down to the root of the threads to shorten the effective lever arm and increase the travel. Without that mod, the 10th shift places the RD between the 10th and 11th sprockets. Sometimes you do just have to try it.