Shimagnolo

[MichaelM]

Is there any reason why I can't buy a Shimano equipped bike (Ultegra 10 speed), then change the shifters, rear mech rear wheel and cassette for Centaur 10 ? (run a Shimano Chainset and front mech with Campagnolo).

Out of interest, not that I intend to try it - will a Campagnolo shifter and rear (both 10 speed) mech run with a Shimano 10 speed cassette ? I know theat both types pull a different amount of cable, but the way the mech moves means a shift of one sprocket in each case. Since both are 10 speed, and a Mavic (for example) hub can be Shim/Campag both 130mm I'd have thought it would be ok. (I'm not interested in the Campag 10 with Shimano 9 RD/cassette etc etc)

 

[Smokin Joe]

On your first point, you can run any chainset and front mech with any groupset. i've done it many a time.

I believe the spacing on ten speed cassettes is close enough for both systems to work with each other, though not quite as smoothly on the gearchanges as keeping to one make.

Why would you want to buy a Shimano equipped bike and change the shift system to Campag? It would be a lot cheaper to go for a bike with a Centaur groupset already fitted, or just get the frame you want and build it to your own spec.

 

[MichaelM]

Why would you want to buy a Shimano equipped bike and change the shift system to Campag? It would be a lot cheaper to go for a bike with a Centaur groupset already fitted, or just get the frame you want and build it to your own spec.

I just knew someone would ask this!

I like the clean look of the front end of a Campagnolo equipped bike.

I've been looking at the Planet X bikes, I don't want the Reynolds Solitude wheels on the Ultegra SL bike and the only other option on this is the Planet X Pro Carbon 50 wheels. So, a similar spec is the standard Ultegra bike for £999 I don't want the wheels that come with it and would sell them on and upgrade anyway. If I sell on the Ultegra shifters/mech cassette, I just might get close to the cost of the Centaur shifters,mech and cassette. Not having a matching chainset or calipers doesn't bother me.

Sourcing the parts myself will be more expensive any other way.

 

[Jacomus-rides-Gen]

Just get a http://jtekengineering.com/shiftmate.htm and its job done.

 

[fossyant]

Nooooooo you just don't mix Campag and Shimano....ergh !!!! Some Campag fans would have you strung up for that....

 

[itisaboutthebike]

have a look at the CTC mix n mtach info http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3946

or as someone said use a JTEK thingy.

 

[Dave Davenport]

Can't you just buy a frameset and build it up exactly as you like?

 

[MichaelM]

Can't you just buy a frameset and build it up exactly as you like?

No you can't buy a frame from Planet X. If you've ever built up a bike from scratch you'll know it starts to get aexpensive with every little item you have to but - stem, bars, tape, tubes tyres rim tape, maybe QR levers. Post Saddle, bottle cage. tubes tyres etc etc etc...

 

[gavintc]

I disagree about the cost. I built a frame up about 2 yrs ago over the winter. It worked out about the same price as an 'off the peg', but I decided on every part. The result was a bike that I have not changed in 2 yrs other than a new saddle. However, I appreciate the problem with Planet X - complete bike or nothing. Have a look at the carbon Ribble frames.

 

[Dave Davenport]

Agree with gavintc, I've built a couple of bikes from scratch and by shopping about it's worked out cheaper than off the peg and I've got exactly what i wanted.

 

[Joe]

I'm running campag 10 speed shifters with shimano mtb cranks, 8 speed Sram cassette, and shimano derailleurs on my new commuter/tourer. I prefer the feel of the campag shifters (plus they are cheaper!) and I had the 8 speed mtb stuff lying around. Shifts perfectly and gives me some real low end gears for when I'm loaded.

 

[Steve Austin]

What about emailing Planet X and asking them if they can do you a bike with a campag groupset?
They are usually very helpful

 

[Smokin Joe]

I'm running campag 10 speed shifters with shimano mtb cranks, 8 speed Sram cassette, and shimano derailleurs on my new commuter/tourer. I prefer the feel of the campag shifters (plus they are cheaper!) and I had the 8 speed mtb stuff lying around. Shifts perfectly and gives me some real low end gears for when I'm loaded.

That is illegal, you know. Your bike can be confiscated and crushed if you get a pull.

 

[MichaelM]

What about emailing Planet X and asking them if they can do you a bike with a campag groupset?
They are usually very helpful

At the moment, they cant do Campag, and they can't do the Ultegra SL bike with anything other than the Reynolds Solitude or Pro Carbon 50 upgrade.

 

[fossyant]

Just get Shimano, and bite the bullet that the levers are ugly, but work better than Campag - always did -

I don't like the Shimano lever arrangement with the cables....hence down tube shifters - my OLD Dura Ace worked better than C Record at the time, but it wasn't half as pretty though !