Monkey Face

Hi folks. I posted this on Fifty Plus, but probably better to ask here...

I have a Shimergo set-up on a 1984 Colnago Nuovo Mexico and want to 'convert' the rear wheel/hub from Shimano 9-speed to Campagnolo 10-speed. Reason: ditching the Dura Ace DT shifters in favour of Campag brifters (I know... but I tried the retro thing and prefer to keep my hands on the bars).

The easiest way is to buy an Ambrosio conversion cassette, rather than buy a new wheel (or pay to have the freehub body changed) and sell the one I have.

So, my first question is: are conversion cassettes okay and would you really notice any difference in switching, between one of these and what might be considered a 'conventional' cassette?

Second question: so that I can run a 10-speed cassette, will the 9-speed pre-2011 Veloce rear mech (that I have been running) work with 10-speed brifters?

There seems to be some debate about question 2, but I can't find a definitive answer among the dogma. I'm assuming that the amount of travel in the rear mech is dictated by the shifters (and that the parallelogram in the mech is the same for 9 or 10 speed). I also assume - having read nothing to the contrary - that the jockey wheels of a 9-speed mech will accommodate a 10-speed chain.


Thanks, in advance, for your help.

Andrew R Stewart 

I can't give you a definitive answer but here's my thoughts. As a rule I try to never use "conversion" methods that are also a wear item. So a cassette which fits a Shimano FH body but is Campy spaced would not be my first choice. Sooner or later it will wear out and you'll have to find another conversion cassette. Will the same one be available in 5 years? I much prefer a solution which lasts many years and many wear parts worth of miles. A cable travel conversion device (Shiftmate) is such an example. Andy.

Ronsonic 

Campy 10 will shift a Shimano 10s cassette. Not with the smooth silent perfect shift we expect from an all Campa setup, but it will work pretty darned well. The limit screws will work pretty hard and you adjust to the center of the cassette and you'll run happily.

Changing freehub body would be the best answer if that's an available option. It won't be for Shimano hubs, but will be available for most aftermarket types.

The thing with conversion cassettes is that they rarely have the refined lift ramps and tooth profiles we find on Campy and Shimano, so the end result is that they don't shift better than using the wrong cassette.

HillRider

Campy 10 brifters will shift a Shimano 10-speed cassette and Shimano rear derailleur "with the smooth silent perfect shift we expect from an all Campa setup", if you use a Jtek Shiftmate (#3). I used that exact arrangement on one bike for thousands of miles and it shifted just as quietly and smoothly as another bike with an all-Campy drivetrain.