Campagnolo Ergopower with Shimano 9-Speed?

[Chris Heys]

Apologies if this has been discused before, but web searching proved inconclusive and wondered if
anyone here at URC had any practical experience. A friend's Tiagra 9sp Shimano shifters have failed
(the right one will no longer shift to higher gears - feels like something inside is no longer
grabbing). Since they are out of warranty, and a new set is ~£120 thought he'd like to switch to the
supposidly more reliable and seriously cheaper Campagnolo Ergopower levers; Mirage model £64 from
Wiggle. Basically wanted to know if this will be possible? He has a Shimano 9sp (11-28 IIRC) block
with Deore derailer on the back.

Many thanks in advance,

Chris

[Tony Raven]

Chris Heys wrote:
> Apologies if this has been discused before, but web searching proved inconclusive and wondered if
> anyone here at URC had any practical experience. A friend's Tiagra 9sp Shimano shifters have
> failed (the right one will no longer shift to higher gears - feels like something inside is no
> longer grabbing). Since they are out of warranty, and a new set is ~£120 thought he'd like to
> switch to the supposidly more reliable and seriously cheaper Campagnolo Ergopower levers; Mirage
> model £64 from Wiggle. Basically wanted to know if this will be possible? He has a Shimano 9sp
> (11-28 IIRC) block with Deore derailer on the back.
>

Conventional wisdom is that it won't work well but you can find out how to make it work at
http://www.hubbub.com/ergoleverswshim9.htm

Tony

[Pete Biggs]

Chris Heys wrote:
> A friend's Tiagra 9sp Shimano shifters have failed (the right one will no longer shift to higher
> gears - feels like something inside is no longer grabbing). Since they are out of warranty, and a
> new set is ~£120 thought he'd like to switch to the supposidly more reliable and seriously cheaper
> Campagnolo Ergopower levers;

Campag Ergos don't tend to fail catastrophically and can last forever but there is a catch. The
ratchet springs wear and need replacing periodically as the shifting goes soft (frequency depends
on mileage and number of shifts per mile). This is a pain: physically difficult DIY job or
expensive pro job.

> Mirage model £64 from Wiggle.

Buying Campag from Wiggle is the same as shoving fivers down the drain. I don't know how reliable
Cycling Bargains are; I recommend www.parker-international.co.uk/campag-framset.htm - £46 + £2.50
postage. www.oldhamcyclecentre.co.uk is good as well. Avoid Xenon Ergos unless sure the different
functionality would be preferable (different shifting action; can't change up more than one gear at
once; not Ergobrain computer compatible). Mirage is the real thing (also compatible with ALL front
derailleurs). Xenon _derailleurs_ are just as good though. I use Mirage Ergos on one bike: very good
value (shifter internal parts are effectively same as Centaur's, in fact mostly the same as Chorus);
the plastic of the levers is _good_ plastic!

> Basically wanted to know if this will be possible? He has a Shimano 9sp (11-28 IIRC) block with
> Deore derailer on the back.

The Hubbub method is for 10-speed Ergos. 10-speed Veloce Ergos are now available at £79, or
alternatively 9-speed Ergos could possibly be used with a Campag derailleur (Shimano cassette
spacing is similar enough to Campag's for some people*). I've not tried that - I would expect some
chain noise and I'm not sure if Xenon/Mirage long/medium cage derailleur would work with the 11T top
sprocket. 9-speed Ergos can be converted to 10-speed but that does cost money - would be a
reasonable option for second-hand Ergos; springs could be changed at the same time: should then work
as good as new.

* Cassette can't be fully respaced because of lack of room on the hub. Replacing /some/ of the
spacers (for the thicker Campag ones) might be worth a try, though.

~PB

[Call me Bob]

On Sun, 7 Dec 2003 22:18:34 -0000, "Tony Raven" <junk@raven-family.com> wrote:

>Chris Heys wrote:
>> Apologies if this has been discused before, but web searching proved inconclusive and wondered if
>> anyone here at URC had any practical experience. A friend's Tiagra 9sp Shimano shifters have
>> failed (the right one will no longer shift to higher gears - feels like something inside is no
>> longer grabbing). Since they are out of warranty, and a new set is ~£120 thought he'd like to
>> switch to the supposidly more reliable and seriously cheaper Campagnolo Ergopower levers; Mirage
>> model £64 from Wiggle. Basically wanted to know if this will be possible? He has a Shimano 9sp
>> (11-28 IIRC) block with Deore derailer on the back.
>>
>
>Conventional wisdom is that it won't work well but you can find out how to make it work at
>http://www.hubbub.com/ergoleverswshim9.htm

If he decides to give it a go perhaps he should consider Cycling Bargains? They'll do you Mirage
levers for £45.95.

http://www.rainbowinternet.net/shops/cyclingbargains/catalogue/category24
--

"Bob"

Email address is spamtrapped. To reply directly remove the beverage.

[Chris Heys]

On Sun, 7 Dec 2003 22:18:34 -0000, "Tony Raven" <junk@raven-family.com> wrote:

>Chris Heys wrote:
>> Apologies if this has been discused before, but web searching proved inconclusive and wondered if
>> anyone here at URC had any practical experience. A friend's Tiagra 9sp Shimano shifters have
>> failed (the right one will no longer shift to higher gears - feels like something inside is no
>> longer grabbing). Since they are out of warranty, and a new set is ~£120 thought he'd like to
>> switch to the supposidly more reliable and seriously cheaper Campagnolo Ergopower levers; Mirage
>> model £64 from Wiggle. Basically wanted to know if this will be possible? He has a Shimano 9sp
>> (11-28 IIRC) block with Deore derailer on the back.
>>
>
>Conventional wisdom is that it won't work well but you can find out how to make it work at
>http://www.hubbub.com/ergoleverswshim9.htm
>
>Tony
>

Unfortunatly that process requires the massivly more expensive 10sp levers. Thanks anyhow,

Chris

[Chris Heys]

On Mon, 8 Dec 2003 02:59:42 -0000, "Pete Biggs"
<pbiggmellon{remove_fruit}s2000@onetel.net.uk> wrote:

>*snip*
Thanks for advice Tony, Pete and Bob. Going on what you say, I think as it is not my bike I would
like to install tried and tested combinations. (ie Shimano with Shimano) even though the Campag
levers are recognised by the majority to be more reliable.

Thanks again,

Chris