shifters and derailleurs
 

i have a campy 8 speed setup on my old bianchi road bike. 12+ years old still works great. can i upgrade the shifters, cassette, and chain and go to 9 or 10 speeds? or are the old FD/RD locked into 8 speeds?

thanks in advance

Shimano derailers (apart from a few Dura Ace) doesn't care what's at the other end, and will index nicely as long as shifter matches the cassette.
But Campy changed their actuation ratio somewhere back, so there's a risk that your RD won't play nice with the new stuff. THere's a thing called a shiftmate that might help.

Friction shifting is universally compatible.

it is certainly worth a try. all you have to lose is a little time. you could either order the RD and try the old one and if it works return the new one. or wait and try the old one and then order a new one if it doesn't work

ok so looks like its best to stick w 8 speed initially. next question is what are the odds of finding an 8 spped compatible campy crank that has a 110 mm bolt pattern so i can run a 34 or 36 tooth small ring?

i am confused about canks and speed compatibility

again thanks

cranksets dont matter.

make sure the total capacity is good. see manufactures spec sheets online or sutherland's.

I would check out getting a T/A Specialities crank with the appropriate chain rings. You wouldn't even have to change out the BB if you are using a square taper crank. I would stick with the 8 speed setup. Do you have DT or Ergo shifters? If you need them rebuilt check with Vecchios in Boulder CO. They sell T/A crank sets as will and are probably the most knowledgeable people regarding campy and what is possible. I have several bikes with 10spd and still often ride my old Greg Lemond Coors Light bike with the 8spd setup...works just fine. I have a set of old Mirage ergo 8 spd shifters which work perfectly after all these years. Keep the 8 as is and go with a new crankset and possibly a compact FD. If you don't need the top end then get a 48 large chain ring with the T/A cranks to stay within the shift limit of the campy FD. Peter at Vecchios would know what will work

And you can remove a BB with a hammer and a screwdriver.

Friction shifting is one thing, but the fact it also means downtube shifters makes it a laughable suggestion.

Although you could prolly mod Ergolevers to friction shift... that'd be interesting.

Is this because ergo shifters use a mechanism that is fundamentally very similar to the earlier syncro DT shifters? I own some 8spd ergo shifters with no bike that is crying for them to be put on, but if I could mod them to friction.....why, the possibilities are endless.