cam117

I'd like to have some experienced eyes look over my proposed setup. I've got a new Surly Cross Check Complete on order and I'm thinking about having my LBS build it up with some Campagnolo Ergo Shifters instead of the stock shimano bar-end shifters. Seems like the lower-end ergos are the cheapest way to get brifters on the bike.

Here's the stock setup on the Cross Check:

• Shifters - Bar-ends #SL-BS77. 9-Speed
• Front Derailleur - Tiagra #FD-4500 Double
• Rear Derailleur - Tiagra #RD-4500-GS Mid-cage
• Chainrings - Andel 36 x 48t
• Cassette - Tiagra #HG-50 9-speed
• Brakes - Tektro Cantilevers #862A

I'm looking at getting some new 10spd Campy brifters. I've found Centaur for $160 & Veloce for $135.

I'm hoping to be able to have the LBS just slap on the ergos and then route the rear cable using the "Hubub Trick" and then, bob's-your-uncle, I've got genuine ShimErgo / Shimagnolo on my cross check. Thoughts?

I'm not sure if I have to do anything to get the Ergos to work with the stock Cantilevers.

So, I'd like to know:

• Will my proposed setup shift and stop as well as the OEM barcons? STIs?
• Is it recommended?
• Will the hubub thing work with the Tiagra rear?
• What about the Cantilever brakes - Will those work with the ergos?
• Do I need to use a shift mate?
• I'm assuming I'm ok using the Tiagra front der. with the Ergos. Correct?
• Other than price, looks, and weight, I'm not sure what the differences are b/t the various Campy shifters. Would one group be necessarily better than the other for a setup like this?

Thanks in advance!

HillRider

Prior to 2007, all Campy front Ergo shifters were ratcheted rather than indexed so they would pretty much operate with any crank. In theory they would also operate with any front derailleur but Shimano fd's have a stronger spring than Campy and may give ghost shifting. My Record 10-speed Ergos Didn't like my 105 9-speed fd and I substituted a 9/10-speed Veloce. The crank is a 9-speed Ultegra triple and it is fully compatible with the Ergos and Veloce.

For 2007, all Campy groups from Centaur on down are strictly "Escapement" shifting, which is really indexed pretty much like Shimano, and they are much less tolerant of crank and fd make.

Record and, I believe, Chorus still offer "micro-adjust" front shifting like everthing did prior to '07. So if you can find pre-07 (i.e. not QS) Ergos or will spring for Record or Chorus, and maybe a Campy fd, you are ok.

Proper rear shifting using Campy 10-speed Ergos and a Shimano 9-speed cassette and any current Shimano rear derailleur will require a Jtek Shiftmate. I have a bike with '06 Record Ergos, a 9-speed Shimano cassette, a 105 9-speed rear derailleur and a Shiftmate and it shifts wonderfully.

Moose

I had a Bianchi Volpe set up for a customer with '06 10 speed Centaur shifters, leaving the rest of the component group in place: Shimano Deore rear der. and Tiagra front der. with Sram 9 speed cassette and Sugino triple crankset.

No cable routing tricks needed, it shifted fine.

Regarding the "Hubub Trick", I assume that your referring to the custom bike shop, HubBub in Chesterland, Ohio. My inspiration for the above setup was also from seeing one of their demo bikes; a Calfee set up with Record 10 speed shifters with an Ultegra 9 speed drivetrain. The mechanic told me he used no tricks or fancy cable routing, that it just works. So I tried it and it did!

HillRider has a point about the front shifting, the new Campy QS shifters will likely throw a wrench in the front shifting. You'll need non QS shifters.

cam117

Will I be OK if i just swap the front derailleur for a Campy model?

HillRider

Maybe, maybe not. Campy now has specific QS front derailleurs with somewhat different geometry to function with the QS shifters but I don't know if these will match up with a Shimano crank.

frankenmike 

I would reconsider the bar-cons. They are light, reliable, affordable, and easy to maintain.