ckter

Hi pretty new here. Hope this is the right section for this question. Im planning an update to an Italian steel frame, and would like to put more modern components on there but still the silver versions. Id like them to be higher end - and initially planned on 10 speed Chorus after reading some of the threads on here. However now Im wondering whether a Record 9 speed would be better. Both are pretty hard to source from what I can see and pretty expensive. Especially hard trying to get things like shifters in good condition. Are there any other pros and cons I should be aware of before making a decision?

Reynolds 531 

IMO the Record 9 appearance is more elegant. Classier.

If we are not choosing Campagnolo for heritage and beauty, then we should just get Shimano. (for the price and function)

Kuromori

If you're comparing silver to silver, Chorus 10 has the newer hood shape, and extra cog. Early Chorus 10 was just as good as Record except for the weight, and even advertised as Campagnolo as such. Same quality, many shared parts, less exotic materials. A later Chorus 10 crank can be added if you want the Record crank look. An 8 speed Campy RD should let it shift well over Shimano 10 cassettes.

RobbieTunes

That is so accurate it hurts.

gearbasher

I have both Campy 9 and 10 speed. All are Record.
9 speed alloy
9 speed carbon
10 speed
10 speed ultra.

I find the 9 speeds shift better than the 10s, Especially on the upshifts to the larger cogs. With the Ultra 10 being the most finicky.

Keep in mind, the difference between the Chorus and the Record ergos are the levers. The internals are the same.

mpetry912 

I agree that the alloy finish is more elegant and I think 9 speed runs smoother than 10.

for my best ever DiNucci, I had a 9 speed Chorus gruppo "in stock" and I am really happy with that choice.

PS you can backfit the 9 speed index ratchet into the newer style levers. Branford Bike will do that for you.

Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA USA

Spaghetti Legs 

10 speed parts and groups are markedly easier to find IME. I think the sweet spot for Campy as far as functionality is 8 speed, but 10 speed is very good.

nesteel 

All the Campy 9 speed I have/have had has been functionally flawless. Even the low level 9 speed is pretty darn good. The Chorus and Racing T is especially satisfying; so much so that I've never really felt the need to try and upgrade to Record level componentry.
I can't speak for 8 speed, but frankly cassette selection would be main consideration there. Again, I've personally found no need to try it. Now, if it came on a bike I bought, I'd give it a go, make no doubt.

To the OP's question, the Chorus 10 is likely going to be satisfying enough that it wouldn't warrant the extra hassle/expense to scare up a complete Record 9 group.

ckter

This is all great information thanks a lot. Right now I've got myself derailleurs in chorus 10 and record 10 cranks and brakes. The record stuff is alloy as well for some reason even though I thought record was carbon by the time they made 10s. So it's all alloy but a bit mismatched. It looks really good though.

himespau 

Racing T cranks work well with other Campagnolo 10 speed stuff (9 speed as well), and look pretty. Plus, they let you have a wider range. Whichever way you go, I put my vote in for using RacingT.

Kuromori

Only the levers were carbon in the earliest Record 10 group. Even today, the brakes are still alloy, just black.

ckter

I gather the early record 10 derailleurs were black too?

Kuromori

First Record 10 group was all silver except for 3k weave carbon brake levers and shift paddles. Campy kept making incremental changes over time to increase the carbon/black content of their various groups.

Whit51 

9 speed Chorus works great with a 9 speed Shimano 28t cassette in my experience. I’ve heard that this is not true if you go to a 32t.