Originally Posted by oldbobcat
Yup, the Campy front shifter should work because it's non-indexed.
If it were my bike, though, I'd give up on the 5703 crankset and bottom bracket because it's the cause of the problem and it's total overkill for the application. The rest of the system isn't making use of that wonderful Hollowtech technology. I'd replace it with a decent inexpensive 3x8 crank that mates to a square-taper bottom bracket, perhaps even the same one you discarded to use 105.
There really shouldn't be a difference in the chainring spacing between an 8-speed Triple & the spacing on the chainrings on 10-speed Triple crankset ...
So, it really is probably an
adjustment-of-the-front-derailleur issue AND ensuring the cabling is not the problem.
BTW. I think that the suggestion of buying ANOTHER crankset + BB will be money poorly spent ... the 5703 crank is already on the bike, so it's just a matter of determining why the current front derailleur won't shift.
BTW2. As far as calling the Hollowtech technology "wonderful" ... well, I like it well enough, but I'm not prepared to do cartwheels over it!
BTW3. I'm all for refitting an(y) existing frame with better parts BECAUSE if-and/or-when the time comes, the majority of the components can often be transferred if some thought goes into the choice of components + the choice of the subsequent frame ...
On the other side of the coin, because parts CAN be transferred, I am now planning on moving some existing components which I have to an older, 70s vintage frame which has previously been the recipient of "spare" parts when it was devolved to a Single Speed ...
I like how the frame rides AND obviously I already have it, so why not?
I will just need to add a set of Campagnolo shifters + an inner chainring + some derailleurs (
Shimano, but maybe I'll make it an all-Campagnolo bike by using Campagnolo derailleurs) + an appropriate rear wheel + a new chain AND it will be good-to-go ...
It will probably take as long to unwrap & re-wrap the handlebar tape as it will to install the rest of the parts unless I opt to change the crank from the current square taper Chorus crankset to an Ultra Torque (!?!) crankset.
BTW4. I would think that if YOU (
oldbobcat) really gave the matter some more thought (
regardless of whether one prefers SRAM or Shimano for whatever reason) that YOU would suggest Campagnolo shifters
as an option to someone who comes into the shop which you work in who is looking to upgrade their 8-speed (
or, less) bike because it will cost them less ... much less EVEN IF a DIY upgrade doesn't seem feasible to them ... they will appreciate it ... and, if-and-when the time comes for a
fancy-schmancy new bike, they will hopefully return to your shop because they will already know that you are "an honest broker" who will help them to get the best
future bike for their money rather than being someone looking to make a quick "one time" transaction.
I think it is worth repeating that a set of Campagnolo shifters would be 'the fastest/simplest & least expensive (!!!) remedy'
because the shifters would cost LESS THAN $150
(closer to $130) on eBay and the only other addition might be some additional cable housing + cables ... PLUS (?) a T25 or 5mm wrench which has a 4" shaft to install the shfiters + a cable cutter + Flat File to clean the burrs on the housing (i.e., tools AS NEEDED).