Hey BF-Members
I'm quite new to bicycles and after two Pistas I'm looking for my first classy roadbike, so my questions will very likely be silly. Anyway.

I recently got myself and a pair of Vento's with Campy 8 speed casette (or freewheel ?) and I'm not sure what derailleur to get now. Is it easier to Update to 10 Speed and use newer parts or shall I stick to the "old" and get older stuff? My Plan was to build an old steelframe with newish components, but still with a classic "touch" like with DT-Levers and the like. Has anyone done this before and has some insight on this topic?

Second question, i've seen a lot of Gold-Black Chains on older italian bikes, what brand are they? I thought they are Regina or were there other manufacturers to build those at the time?

Hope you guys understand my english as it is not my native tongue.

Thanks!

The Campy 8 speed hub is 130 mm wide across its mounting faces. If it uses 8-speed cassettes, it will probably not work well with Regina Oro gold-black chains I recall from "the day."

To index that cassette, you'd be best off with a Campy derailleur of the same vintage and a set of Campy 8-speed Ergolevers for brake/shift handlebar controls. There other options as well. This stuff should be cheaper than 10-speed on Ebay. Cassettes are a bit scarce, but still out there. If you get a steel frame you'll have no trouble getting the rear end adjusted to a 130mm width. If it was made for 5 speed it's 120 mm, and if it was for 6 or 7 its 126 mm.

'luck!

Road Fan

One importantthing about y9our wheels. If they are 8 speed they will not accept a 9 or 10 speed cassette like teh Shimano wheels will. The cogs were changed when the gear count went up.

If you want to use those wheels, you will have to use 8 speed components.

There was a thread on BF which suggested the use of corima casette which fits these wheels plus it has 10 cogs..

Did the chains-sizes change over time or how can they be incompatible?

Are the ergos a must? I have never really liked them..

Thanks for the Tips!

If you do a search on my name "roccobike" and search threads I started in the "Bike Mechanics" forum, you'll find a thread where I asked about Campy 8 speed. The responses indicate it is not supported by Campagnolo any more, it is not compatible with 9 or 10 speed and used parts are very expensive. I'll pass on Campy 8, I'm not saying it isn't nice stuff, it's just I don't want to support an orphan.

thanks for the hint roccobike, but your problem is not a concern for me because i'm building this bike mainly for fun and not for everyday riding or even racing..

What about "downgrading" to 7sp would this lead to more possible and compatible components?

Thanks

What vintag are your Ventos? it is/was possible to change the freewheel body on some campa 8spd hubs to one that is 9/10spd-compatible, if i remember correctly. All yoiu need is a donor hub of the right kind - and this is the tricky part... the axle diameter needs to be the right one.

Check out Branford's page for more info on the cassette issue:
linkee

If you want to go Ergo: 8s speed brifters can be had on eBay for ~$100 or less in good shape. Any front derailleur will work, and will work w/9or10, too.($10) The rear derailleur at a reasonable price is tougher to come by. You'll need a pre'01 8or9 speed. I bid <$50 for quite a while on eBay on every rear Chorus and Record in good shape before I got one. If you have any locals that will sell you stuff cheaper that's a better way. I couldn't find any stuff around here. 8s speed cassettes are reasonable. I think I paid $25 for a NOS Record set.