Campy Ergo 8 speed Shifter Compatibility question
#1
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Old Legs

Joined: Nov 2016
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From: Mass.
Bikes: '80 Strayvaigin, '84 Ciocc Aelle-Shimano 105, '90 Concorde Astore /Campy Triple ,85 Bridgestone 500/Suntour, 2005 Jamis Quest, 2017 Raleigh Merit 1, Raleigh Carbon Clubman
Campy Ergo 8 speed Shifter Compatibility question
Hello all, Now that I have upgraded My Ciocc, with a 7 speed Micro Shifter, I'm looking into the possibility of upgrading my Concorde.
Here's what I have now, on the Concorde: Campy Athena RD, FD, Syncro II DT shifters, with a Shimano HG 7 speed cassette. Yes, that's the way I had it built, so I could have larger cogs, as I grew older, and the system works great.
I know, Campy did not make a 7 speed "brifter". Specs show the Campy Ergo has a cable pull of 3.5mm. vs 2.9mm for Shimano. Cog spacing seems to be the same 5.0mm .
I want to keep the Campy theme (Group). Has anyone adapted a Campy Ergo 8 speed shifter to a 7 speed cassette ?
I understand, one gear will be locked out on the shifter. Any suggestions and ideas are very welcome and thank you.
I do find used 8 speed Ergo shifters on Ebay, approx. $60. So I would take the risk. KB
Here's what I have now, on the Concorde: Campy Athena RD, FD, Syncro II DT shifters, with a Shimano HG 7 speed cassette. Yes, that's the way I had it built, so I could have larger cogs, as I grew older, and the system works great.
I know, Campy did not make a 7 speed "brifter". Specs show the Campy Ergo has a cable pull of 3.5mm. vs 2.9mm for Shimano. Cog spacing seems to be the same 5.0mm .
I want to keep the Campy theme (Group). Has anyone adapted a Campy Ergo 8 speed shifter to a 7 speed cassette ?
I understand, one gear will be locked out on the shifter. Any suggestions and ideas are very welcome and thank you.
I do find used 8 speed Ergo shifters on Ebay, approx. $60. So I would take the risk. KB
#3
St. Sheldon confirms your observation that Campy 8-speed had 5.0mm spacing, so I think that should work just fine. I've been experimenting with various off-spec combinations over the past year and my observation matches the theory -- namely that as long as you get the spacing and the derailleur movement properly matched, no matter how you do that, things work pretty well.
There is a slight caveat that $60 ergo shifters on eBay may need to be rebuilt. The good news is that they can be rebuilt to work like new. I think it's worth the risk.
There is a slight caveat that $60 ergo shifters on eBay may need to be rebuilt. The good news is that they can be rebuilt to work like new. I think it's worth the risk.
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#4
Thread Starter
Old Legs

Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 33
From: Mass.
Bikes: '80 Strayvaigin, '84 Ciocc Aelle-Shimano 105, '90 Concorde Astore /Campy Triple ,85 Bridgestone 500/Suntour, 2005 Jamis Quest, 2017 Raleigh Merit 1, Raleigh Carbon Clubman
St. Sheldon confirms your observation that Campy 8-speed had 5.0mm spacing, so I think that should work just fine. I've been experimenting with various off-spec combinations over the past year and my observation matches the theory -- namely that as long as you get the spacing and the derailleur movement properly matched, no matter how you do that, things work pretty well.
There is a slight caveat that $60 ergo shifters on eBay may need to be rebuilt. The good news is that they can be rebuilt to work like new. I think it's worth the risk.
There is a slight caveat that $60 ergo shifters on eBay may need to be rebuilt. The good news is that they can be rebuilt to work like new. I think it's worth the risk.
#5
For use with 8-speed Campy shifters, you'll want either an 8-speed Campy rear derailleur or an "old" 9-speed. The 9-speed thing can get a bit confusing because they changed the cable pull in the middle of the 9-speed era. I believe any Campy 9-speed rear derailleur made before 2001 will work for you, while any 10-speed rear derailleur won't. The way that you can distinguish between the old cable pull and the new cable pull is by looking for where the B-screw is. If the B-screw is next to the derailleur mounting bolt (similar to where Shimano puts it) it's going to use the old cable pull. If the B-screw is next to the upper jockey wheel, it's going to use the new cable pull. Looking for that will save you having to figure out what was 8-speed and what was 9-speed, I think.
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#6
Thread Starter
Old Legs

Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 33
From: Mass.
Bikes: '80 Strayvaigin, '84 Ciocc Aelle-Shimano 105, '90 Concorde Astore /Campy Triple ,85 Bridgestone 500/Suntour, 2005 Jamis Quest, 2017 Raleigh Merit 1, Raleigh Carbon Clubman
For use with 8-speed Campy shifters, you'll want either an 8-speed Campy rear derailleur or an "old" 9-speed. The 9-speed thing can get a bit confusing because they changed the cable pull in the middle of the 9-speed era. I believe any Campy 9-speed rear derailleur made before 2001 will work for you, while any 10-speed rear derailleur won't. The way that you can distinguish between the old cable pull and the new cable pull is by looking for where the B-screw is. If the B-screw is next to the derailleur mounting bolt (similar to where Shimano puts it) it's going to use the old cable pull. If the B-screw is next to the upper jockey wheel, it's going to use the new cable pull. Looking for that will save you having to figure out what was 8-speed and what was 9-speed, I think.
#7
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Joined: May 2013
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From: Pacific Northwest
Bikes: ‘87 Marinoni SLX Sports Tourer, ‘79 Miyata 912 by Gugificazione
I use the Ergo rebuild instructions in Leonard Zinn’s “Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance”. I got in trouble trying to use actual Campagnolo instructions. Most likely parts will be the G-Springs that are widely available and inexpensive. Hopefully you don’t need a spring carrier (I haven’t needed one yet inseveral rebuilds.) Look for other threads on Ergo parts to understand which springs you need.
#8
Thread Starter
Old Legs

Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 33
From: Mass.
Bikes: '80 Strayvaigin, '84 Ciocc Aelle-Shimano 105, '90 Concorde Astore /Campy Triple ,85 Bridgestone 500/Suntour, 2005 Jamis Quest, 2017 Raleigh Merit 1, Raleigh Carbon Clubman
I use the Ergo rebuild instructions in Leonard Zinn’s “Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance”. I got in trouble trying to use actual Campagnolo instructions. Most likely parts will be the G-Springs that are widely available and inexpensive. Hopefully you don’t need a spring carrier (I haven’t needed one yet inseveral rebuilds.) Look for other threads on Ergo parts to understand which springs you need.
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