Campy/shimano 8 speed cassette compatibility
 

So i was looking for info on a replacement chain for my 8speed campagnolo set up when i strangely only realised i'm running a 8 speed dura ace cassette. for some reason i had thought i had a campy rear to match the rest of the record components.

so then i did a bit more searching and found this bit of info on Sheldon Browns website.

Sheldon says
Campagnolo/Shimano 8-speed cassettes have different spacing , so you can't generally get good indexing using a Campagnolo 8-speed wheel with a Shimano shift system or vice versa.



Center-to-center
Spacing Sprocket Thickness Spacer Thickness Total Width

Campagnolo
8-speed 5.0 mm 1.9 mm 3.1 mm
Shimano
8-speed 4.8 mm 1.8 mm 3.0 mm


I'd never noticed a problem before with running the dura ace cassette. should i be trying to get a campy freehub and change over to a campy cassette?

When i first bought the bike i had it serviced and checked over by a very reputable local bike shop and they never mentioned it either.

worth worrying about?

no.

firstly, unlike Shimano, Campy kept changing their hub designs in accordance with changes to 8-9-10 speeds.... so different sprockets = different rear hub to match. To get a new 8 speed campy cassette is terribly overpriced and not worth it over conventional shimano 8 speeds that you can find almost anywhere/everywhere (HG-50/HG-70 cassettes, 12-21/23/25 sprockets)

2nd, you have a durace rear hub 8 speed. This is one of shimano's hubs that can go all the way to 10 speed, with simply screwing on a new cassette with 10 cogs (and appropiate spacers). This is also one of shimano's freehubs that use a different threading system to attach itself on the rear hub. It is non-upgradable or exchangable. To convert over to a campy system, you would have to purchase a new rear hub + campy free hub of 8/9/10 speed generation and lace up a new rear wheel!

in the 8 speed era, i remember reading that mutual-support-vehicles in larger tours would be able to bolt up either shimano or campy wheels to any bike and it would work well enough.

All 8 speed systems use the same chain, so I would just get a new chain!

Hey thanks for the informed reply! Just on the rear hub, it's actually a mavic hub, part of my cosmic wheel set, does that make a difference?
I do have a new chain (HG70) on it's way now though.
:)

Shimano 7 is spaced the same as Campy 8, so you can run a Shimano 7 speed cassette on your hub with a spacer behind it. You'll have an extra useless click on your ergos.

Check this site: http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3946

hey no problem, i beat this to death in figuring out a few 8/10 speed problems on my builds so why not share the knowledge!

re the mavic hub, not really sure if the hub brand would make much of a difference... if the freehub is dura-ace, it will thread into some shimano proprietary rear wheel hub.. its how the freehub attaches to the wheelhub that makes dura-ace a bit of a pain when trying to do upgrades or conversions.

I would just keep what you have now, since the 0.1mm difference doesn't matter very much on 8 speed systems.. since the tolerances were so wide.

With 10 speed systems, its a bit more tricky!

not sure how much mileage you have on that bike, but just keep in mind for future.. don't waste time rebuilding 8 speed ergopower levers, campy 10 speed levers will work with your existing drivetrain ;)