How far can I push an 8 speed Campy Record crank?
03-19-18, 08:32 PM
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How far can I push an 8 speed Campy Record crank?
Assuming rear derailleur cage length can handle, what is the largest cassette I can use with an 8 speed Campy Record crank (53/39) ? I'm open to mixing with a 9 or even 10 speed drive-train but am concerned about chain width. From what I can tell, the largest 8 speed cassette is an 11-26. Is this the best I can do with the 8 speed crank?
Last edited by tarsi; 03-19-18 at 09:03 PM.
03-19-18, 08:44 PM
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You can certainly use a 9s cassette since 9s and 8 chains are very similar.
I'd even guess that you can run a 10s cassette and chain, or plan Ba 10s cassette with a 9s chain which is what I've been running for a decade or so.
I'd even guess that you can run a 10s cassette and chain, or plan Ba 10s cassette with a 9s chain which is what I've been running for a decade or so.
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03-19-18, 08:57 PM
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You can run an 8 speed crank with any kind of chain, including 11 speed, so you can use it with an 11 speed cassette.
A Campy 53/39 crank's smallest possible chainring is 39T because the bolt circle diameter is 135mm.
The maximum cassette range you can combine with that crank is going to be based on the rear derailleur, nothing else.
03-19-18, 09:26 PM
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03-19-18, 09:36 PM
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Ok-- if you stumble across an 8 speed crankset and want to use it -- worst case scenario would be having to purchase later model chainrings as long as they are 135 bcd ---- No problem
Sadly, a set of new chainrings can sometimes equal the cost of a updated used cranset though,
Sadly, a set of new chainrings can sometimes equal the cost of a updated used cranset though,
03-19-18, 09:37 PM
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I run a Nuovo Record crank with a 9s rear cassette, and I think an Ultegra 6500 or 6600 rear derailleur.
One can do quite a bit of mixing and matching, especially with friction shifters. The biggest limitation is whether the shifter has enough cable pull to push the derailleur across the entire range of the cassette.
Shifting? Heck, I don't know. I like to light pedal briefly while shifting. I don't think the front shifting is any worse than it was 30 years ago, and the rear shifting is actually quite a bit easier than it was with the vintage freewheels.
One can do quite a bit of mixing and matching, especially with friction shifters. The biggest limitation is whether the shifter has enough cable pull to push the derailleur across the entire range of the cassette.
Shifting? Heck, I don't know. I like to light pedal briefly while shifting. I don't think the front shifting is any worse than it was 30 years ago, and the rear shifting is actually quite a bit easier than it was with the vintage freewheels.
03-21-18, 09:24 AM
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Assuming rear derailleur cage length can handle, what is the largest cassette I can use with an 8 speed Campy Record crank (53/39) ? I'm open to mixing with a 9 or even 10 speed drive-train but am concerned about chain width. From what I can tell, the largest 8 speed cassette is an 11-26. Is this the best I can do with the 8 speed crank?
If you go with a wider range cassette, your limitations are on the RD, not the crankset. This may mean a wheel change, or a J-Tec Shftmate, etc.
