spudly

Hi all: I'm looking for a groupset for my circa 1990 Spectrum TI frame. I have a complete 7 speed Dura Ace group that I was going to use, but decided I really want to go with STI/Ergo. I found an 8 speed Campy record group from around 1994 that is in beautiful condition with low miles. How is this groupset in terms of performance and reliability? Note that I'm not racing and don't need 10/11 speed (I've mostly been riding around on a Lemond Tourmalet with 7 speed RSX and it's great). Thanks for any advice!

Italuminium

Legendary. build with crazy precision, fully rebuildable, great finish on the parts. Will outlast you.

spudly

Great, thanks! Follow up question that might be better suited to the appraisal section: What's a reasonable ballpark price for a complete (includes hubs, bb, headset, etc.) set (in great condition)?

RobbieTunes

Yep, what he said.


No idea what's "reasonable."
If I wanted it for that particular frame, I'd pay market value and not look back.
It's not like you have to buy it twice.

KonAaron Snake 

Third - campy 8sp is wonderful stuff. Looks good, feels good, works great, usually affordable. It's a bit heavy...but who cares.

Soody

It is an orphan group. 7,8,9,10,11 hyperglide cassettes all fit on 11 speed shimano wheels but campy 8 cassettes must be with campy 8 freehubs (rare). (7 speed shimano cassettes will index with a campy 8 drivetrain though)

Only campy 8 or old campy 9 rear derailers will work.

Record 8 speed cassettes are still available and pretty cheap.

The front shifting / chainrings/ cranks are all very compatible. 8 speed is mini ratcheting so lots of options there atleast.

Chainrings - Branford Bike - Seattle/Bellevue - Campagnolo Pro Shop

I think there where about 4 generations of 8 speed ergopowers from 91? - 94

The hoods got more less pointy, and they got some carbon parts and 'carbon' written on them by 93 i think. The last generation of record levers (94?) had cut outs in the metal shift levers.

The metal levers on the Chorus/ Record ergos are so nice and the shifts are very satisfying.

I'm on the hunt for some clincher Shamals/Zondas/ Ventos to replace my rear zonda which is shot. Those 8 speed aero 90s wheels are the bees knees.

spudly

Thanks all for the great info. And Soody I was also thinking about those gorgeous Campy wheels - I'd like my Spectrum to look something like this image I pulled off the web.

dddd

Campag 8s has limited gearing in back, 26t or so.

Also, those older freehubs used a press-on cone on the threadless right end of the axle. The cones are now completely unavailable, so any prospective wheelset purchase should be checked for perfectly smooth axle bearings.

Adding in the 8s-specific cassette/freehub issue, I would choose a 9s groupset over 8s.

scozim 

I'm running 8spd Campy ergo 13-26 on my 89 Spectrum Ti. The levers say titanium but I'm not sure of the difference with other Ergo brifters. Great shifting equipment. My dad was running 53-42 up front with 172.5 mm crank arms when I got the bike. I went with Suntour Sprint and 170mm arms so I could drop to 53-39 gearing.

Love the bike.

Italuminium

Wow, that bike is one steerer cut away from perfection. the short-femured owner must be a lucky guy/gal.

spudly

To Matt who PM'd me: Sorry, but the forum won't let me PM as I don't have enough posts.