Jay Andriot

I have a Colnago C40 that had 08 record QS shifters and derailleurs, an 05 record carbon crankset. It’s was as nice as a 10 speed set up as any around. I loved the function of the 08 shifters but I was always wanting a more comfortable shifter. I found one, the 09 Centaur. Still 10 speed so it fits right in on the C40 but it has the new shape. I was thinking about going 11 speed but the Centaur makes more sense. The QS group had only 2400 miles on it, all of the components looked and functioned new, so why dump all of it when all I needed was new shifters.

I purchased the 09 Centaurs from Shiny Bikes in England. It took a while to get them but it’s winter and I’m not riding all that much in the cold so the wait wasn’t that bad. Besides at under $200 shipped Shiny Bikes’ price was hard to beat.

I got them along with the new cables and instructions, all that was missing was the box, and for that kind of savings I could do without a Campy box. So off came the Record shifters and on went the new Centaur.

We had a warm enough day (45 degrees) to go out on a test ride. The shifters felt great, ergonomics are perfect for me. The upshifts are a bit on the soft side, and yes I would like the upshifts to be a bit firmer and have a better click. The single downshifts are very similar to the Record. You can not do a full dump on the downshifts, but you can do a full dump in two shifts. I can live with that

I also like the new top aero hand position, very easy to go to when you need that quick tuck, and you still can brake from that position, very cool.

Going with the Centaur shifters has given me another season to use the current 10 speed set up. Once this season is over I will consider moving up to Record 11 speeds, but who knows maybe the hybrid system I set up will work just fine for a couple of seasons.

nitropowered

I think the Centaur is too soft. You can barely feel the clicks.

Grasschopper

2400 miles and you think the 08 stuff is worn out? You needed new shifters? You know you could rebuild the 08 shifters if you really had to right?

I mean don't get me overly wrong I too have some 09 Centaur Ergo levers just waiting for my bars to show up to be installed but I am not dumping my 06 Record levers (with 3 years and about 8000 miles on them)...the Centaur is going on a new bike and the 06 Centaur from the bike getting replaced is going on my wife's Serotta.

Jay Andriot

The 08 shifters were not worn out, they worked as good as new. I wanted to try the new shifter because the ergonomics looked like a better fit. The 09 Centaurs are a much better fit than the 08 Record. They feel great, and rather than invest in a whole new group that I don't need yet I decided to give the new shape a go and I'm very glad I did. I'll keep the Record shifters for a while just to make sure but I bet that I'll keep the Centaurs on the Colnago.

3MTA3

thanks for sharing.

Cue

The new Campagnolo lever ergonomics is the ****. YMMV of course.

jamespierce

I switched from 07 centaur to 09 centaur due to a crash, but I'm really happy with the new shifters also. Like others I enjoyed the slightly more positive feel of the old shifters, but the new shape has it all over the older style, and the 5 up / 5 down shifting is just great.

matkinstall

soooooooooooooooooooo what are you doing with your old record shifters?
i'm not saying, i'm just saying.

Jay Andriot

The Record shifters will go on to eBay in April

Campag4life

I echo your exact sentiments. I just replaced my '06 Chorus shifters for 09 Centaur CF shifters and paid about what you did only at Total Cycling. I also find the ergos far superior but don't particularly care for the softer shift as has been discussed in another thread. The LH shifter with QS front derailleur works perfectly...button shift on the RH shifter is about perfect as well...lack of feedback going up the cassette in back is the only downside. I believe the upside of the new shifters trumps the softer shift issue and seems as though most that have made this change agree. I also changed bars to the FSA Winged compact and a great combo with the new shifters. Lastly, I don't know a better set of shifters on the market for $200 either taking advantage of the UK to dollar exchange rate.

SushiJoe

I essentially did everything you said here.
However, I sold my 08 Record shifters for a profit and bought the 09 Centaurs for $160.
(Thanks DaveSSS!)

SushiJoe

My mileage does not vary.

DaveSSS 

For those who want to make the change to 11 speed in the future, the 10 speed ultrashift levers can be converted to 11 speed with only a change of the front rachet ring and rear index disc. Those parts would be hard to find right now, but probably not in a few months.

The only other parts needed are the cassette, chain and chain tool. A simple modification to the shift cable clamp bolt will produce correct indexing, using the 10 speed RD.

SushiJoe

I'm so impressed I'll probably be buying a whole Chorus 11 group (next year).
Can you see any benefits of swapping any parts up to Record or SR 11, Dave?

Jay Andriot

I paid $196 including 25 pounds shipping. The price without the shipping was $160.00

SushiJoe

Ribble?

lukasz

Nah that is shinybikes. I refused on principle to pay their ridiculous shipping charge.

DaveSSS 

The advantage of Record group is less weight, mostly in the cranks and brakes, plus better bearings in the BB. SR has the best CULT BB bearings and a very small weight reduction, mostly in the cassette.

I'll never buy Record or SR cassettes, because they cost far too much and the Ti cogs last about half as long.

I bought mostly Record, with Chorus cranks and cassettes for my two 11 speed groups. One of my bikes also has a Chorus FD, which really is the best deal. The anodized finish matches the chainrings and it only weighs a few grams more that Record.

Campag4life

Dave can you elaborate on what the change is to the shift cable clamp bolt to allow a 10s rear derailleur to work for 11 speed? Does moving the clamp position change the respective amount of deraileur throw?
Other question is...you left a crankset change out of your list of parts to convert to 11s from 10s. I believe the new 11s speed chainrings are .6mm closer together to account for the more narrow 11s chain. Are you saying the 10s Campy cranks will work fine with the 11s chain?
Thanks.

Campag4life

Bump for Dave's response. Dave...you say that 10s chainring spacing works with the 11s chain?
Please confirm if you would.
Thanks.

DaveSSS 

I used 2008 Chorus 10 50/34 cranks with Campy 11 for about 300 miles and had no problem. I even put the 11 speed chain on an old 2003 model FSA triple crank it seemed to shift just fine.

DaveSSS 

About using the 10 speed RD with 11 speed. If you have 10 speed RDs and want to use them, the change is simple. I didn't give the setup a road test, but I expect it will work fine. It costs almost nothing to try it. Without the mod, the RD will not travel far enough.

https://www.serotta.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55772

Campag4life

Thanks for all that Dave. Sounds like a 11s conversion could be performed for a relatively low expense. I may very well do that when time to change my 10s cassette and chain.
Thanks again.

SushiJoe

It's tempting to switch over to 11 by doing Dave's conversion but A) I'm putting a bike gear spending freeze on myself and B) I think I just want to buy a Chorus 11 group some day.

lukasz

Finally installed my shifters last night and... Torx screws, Campy? Honestly? If I wanted to mess with Torx I'd buy a Saab. What the hell was wrong with 5mm hex like 50-75% of everything else on a bicycle (and your older Ergo levers)? Too simple? Threading the shift cable into the right slot in that little yellow insert was a real pleasure as well.