Conversion and compatibility questions...
 

Hi folks. Hope I'm on the right forum, but I thought I'd ask a couple of questions of the more 'senior' members, in the hope of some 'real world' replies...

I have a Shimergo set-up on a 1984 Colnago Nuovo Mexico and want to 'convert' the rear wheel/hub from Shimano 9-speed to Campagnolo 10-speed. Reason: ditching the Dura Ace DT shifters in favour of Campag brifters (I know... but I tried the retro thing and prefer to keep my hands on the bars).

The easiest way is to buy an Ambrosio conversion cassette, rather than buy a new wheel (or pay to have the freehub body changed) and sell the one I have.

So, my first question is: are conversion cassettes okay and would you really notice any difference in switching, between one of these and what might be considered a 'conventional' cassette?

Second question: so that I can run a 10-speed cassette, will a 9-speed pre-2011 Veloce rear mech work with 10-speed brifters?

There seems to be some debate about question 2, but I can't find a definitive answer among the dogma. I'm assuming that the amount of travel in the rear mech is dictated by the shifters (and that the parallelogram in the mech is the same for 9 or 10 speed). I also assume - having read nothing to the contrary - that the jockey wheels of a 9-speed mech will accommodate a 10-speed chain.


Thanks, in advance, for your help.

You'll probably get more informed responses by posting this in the Bicycle Mechanics forum. It's outside my range of knowledge or experience.

Bicycle Mechanics

Have you considered barcons, which would let you keep your hands on the bars without having to change out everything else?

I considered them for several seconds :rolleyes: and decided I don't want bar end shifters... I can live with brifters on a vintage bike, but not bar end shifters (unless it's an out-and-out touring bike).

Thanks BD - you're probably right... I've done that.

There is a thread about modern components on Classic and Vintage rides in the C&V Forum, check in there about what you are thinking of doing. sounds like a neat project to me.

Bill

There is also a Campagnolo subforum on the forums at Road Bike Review.

Maybe all you need to do is put the Campy 10s Ergos on and you're good to go. Really, no kidding. I just spent far too much money upgrading my wife's 1985 Trek 720 and one of the changes was to dump the down-tube shifters for 10s Ergo shifters. I put on a 9-speed cassette and bought a SRAM rear deraileur from the shop that did the frame work. Believe it or not, the thing shifts like a dream. Here's a blurb from the bike shop that built our tandem on the subject:

9sp and 10sp

I have an American Classic conversion cassette that works fine. But you can probably find a used Campagnolo rear wheel, then use cheaper Veloce cassettes.