Downtube cable guide question
 

Picked up a frameset (Croll lugged 531-c) that has downtube cable guides for the newer ergoshifter brake levers. Can I remove these and use older style friction shifters? I'm not sure what's under the cable guides when they are removed -- but it looks like they hex bolt into something similar to shifter bosses. I haven't received the frame yet to find out for myself, and I'd like to build it up with older campy throughout. Thanks in advance.

If the cable guides are the removable sort that are screwed into traditional down-tube shifter bosses, then you can do this. My guess is that a lugged 531 frame will have down-tube bosses. However, some bikes have down-tube cable stops brazed right on. It sounds like your frame will be fine, though, if you have the cable-stops that screw into the frame with an allen bolt.

Thank you . . . much appreciated.

Frame arrived tonight.

The cable stop allen bolts screwed out of both easily. However, the actual cable stops will not pull off the downtube boses by hand. It does not appear that they are brazed on, as I can see space between them and the tubing -- as if the stops are separate units from the frame.

The frame is in excellent condition throughout, so I'm not thinking that they're rusted on.

Should I give them a few gentle taps? The tubing is lightweight 531-competition, so I'm a bit hesitant. Any thoughts?

Yes they get stuck a little, don't use much power, you won't need it. I've done it a couple of times. You don't need to hit hard enough to damage the frame to get them off, you just need a small tap instead of a pull.

Thank you for the reply . . . and the gentle tapping worked. Although my heart was in my throat the entire time and I had to calm my hands before I hit. There wasn't much room for a mis-tap! I can only imagine what my heart rate was.

The Croll frame is gorgeous . . . and I don't use that term often. It is an irredescent silver and almost lights up in the room (literally). The lug work is so carefully done, with the joints as near to perfection as I've seen on a frame (and I've been around a pretty long time). I already had purchased a pair of "regular" campy record carbon brake levers, and didn't want to go with brifters -- plus I'm a life-long user of friction shifting, anyway. It's probably going to be one of the more pleasant and extrodinary experiences to build this up, and get out on the road with it. Shame that Croll closed their doors. What beautiful USA-made work.