jester69

Hey all,

I am building up my "dream bike" (steel colnago, CF fork, Chorus etc.) And have selected a wheelset.

Brand new wheelsets of this kind can be had on E-bay very cheaply as they have a weight limit that few meet, but I will as I'm a twig. Problem is, they are almost all shimano. When campagnolo ones do show up, they go for significantly more for almost the same exact thing. I e-mailed the company and they want $100 just for the freehub body AND they say the wheel will need to be redished. Seems a bit high to me, but I guess they have to make their money. Does the redish mean that the wheel will be stronger with the shimano compatible hub (shimano is shorter freehub body ergo less dish.)

So, I found the American Classic conversion cassettes and a number of bad reviews on those as far as shifting being not up to par. Then I found this cassette:

https://wheelsmfg.com/products.php?ca...od=shiftconv10

The Ultegra alloy/steel cassette street price seems to be $30-40 cheaper than the Chorus cassette, I have read good reviews on how well it shifts with campy. Matter of fact, I think the shift ramp technology is now what campy is using on their cassettes since shimano's patent expired.

So, people say it shift well, I can get close to half price on new wheels, the weight and durability are very comparable, I can use my record chain, 11-25 or 11-27 both sound perhaps more useful than 12-25 or 13-27. Then again, their conversion cassette can ONLY use an 11t lockring, so there is no getting rid of the 11.

I could probalby get a good deal on some campagnolo compatible wheels if I waited long enough, but this may be a better way to go overall due to the long term economy of using common shimano wheels & cassettes. I am assuming I can move the spacers on this one to new off the shelf ones I buy. If machining is needed I have a lathe/mill & can just copy the cuts on the worn out one.

Why shouldn't I do this?

Thanks,

Jester

galen_52657

If you use a conversion cassette, make sure it will work with that particular wheel. Some wheels the dish is wrong and you will hit the spokes when shifting into your largest rear cog. Depends on the wheel, but WheelsManufacturing gives a list on thier site.

If you can afford to build the bike you are talking about, you can afford a Campy-compatible wheel. Just buy the wheels and Campy cassette and forget about it.

terrymorse 

I use Record levers and Chorus derailleur with a Shimano 9-speed cassete. It shifts flawlessly.

Before you start jumping through hoops on conversion, try just running it unmodified. You might be pleasantly surprised. The 10-speed Shimano cassette is evel closer to the Campy. But if you really want conversion flexibility, this is a simple solution:

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/shiftmate.html

jester69

The wheelset I want is listed.

The way I can afford it is being very frugal. My frame is from the mid 80's so it isn't near as expensive as you might think. Fork is used from a friend, etc. the only extravagance is the new Chorus group. Used drivetrain stuff is a real crapshoot and not that much less than buying new. (If I can get a deal on the wheelset it looks like i'll be sub 17 lb. & cheaper than retail on a LeMond Sarthe. Not bad for vintage steel.)

Yes, I do have the money I could just go buy the wheelset, but the reason I have the money is I am too cheap to just go buy a wheelset Kind of a catch 22.

Terry, I hadn't considered just trying it straight across to a shimano 10s cassette. I wonder how far off it really is? I had heard the 9s works, but not much on 10s compatibility.

Take care,

Jester

ImprezaDrvr

I've got an American Classic conversion cassette and it's worked very well when I've used it. I do have to adjust the derailleur a bit when I switch from Campy to it, but it's almost as quick and silent as full Campy.

The only way I'd do this, though, is if I just had to have King hubs. Otherwise, get a set of Campy hubs laced to some good rims. Won't break the bank, will ride better than many other options.

martin_j001

I would suggest doing what Terry said, using a 10s shimano cassette and just trying it out to see how it works. From there, if there is some minor problems, the JTEK Shiftmate will fix you right up (I use one on my bike with Campy 10s Record levers and a 9s Shimano drivetrain).

55/Rad

I use a Chorus 10 cassette on Ultegra 10 deraillers with no problem. I bought the Shiftmate but haven't had to use it.

55/Rad

Bikeophile

Personally I think that if this truly your DREAM RIDE as you put it...wait a little longer, save up a couple extra bucks and get Campy Wheels.