Originally Posted by alienator .
First, a bit on terminology. The typical abbreviation for rear derailleur is RD, and for the front derailleur, it's FD. [COLOR= #0000ff]In general components (like FD, RD, and shifters) from the same manufacturer work best together[/COLOR]. Of course, now that you've asked that specific question, you should expect a long, multi-fonted and [COLOR= #ff0000]c[/COLOR][COLOR= #008000]o[/COLOR]l[COLOR= #dda0dd]o[/COLOR][COLOR= #0000ff]r[/COLOR][COLOR= #808080]e[/COLOR][COLOR= #008000]d [/COLOR]response from Alfeng about how Campy shifters are best for Shimano derailleurs. Just remember, he is in the extreme minority of bike riders and bike mechanics in terms of the "advice" he offers.
While the end-user should certainly hope that component engineers design their components to work well together OR as well as some bean counter deems to be necessary ([COLOR= #808080]
i.e., R&D limitatons[/COLOR]), there are times when a particular component produced by someone else subjectively functions better than the spec'd item ...
BTW. I am surprised that you (
alienator) either do not remember ([COLOR= #808080]or, it would be more surprising if you did not read it[/COLOR]) in the CAMPY ONLY blog several years ago that some OTHER riders preferred to use a Shimano front derailleur, too ...
- as I have pointed out in the past, it takes me three index clicks to shift a 6500[COLOR= #ff0000]/[/COLOR]6503 9-speed Shimano front derailleur ...
- I honestly don't recall what it took to shift my pre-10-speed Campagnolo front derailleurs, but I have to believe that it was four index clicks ...
- there is an advantage to using four index clicks because it means that the trim can be more finely tuned IF that is something which a person finds to be necessary ([COLOR= #808080]I don't miss THAT presumed capability[/COLOR]) ...
[*] AND, supposedly, the geometry for the newer 11-speed front derailleurs were redesigned to make the shifts quicker ([COLOR= #808080]presumably, THAT means that they only require three index clicks to shift between two chainrings, now[/COLOR]) .
Quote: Originally Posted by
simplyserving
Now that I know to get a 9 speed rear DR, my next question deals with mixing component manufacturers. Can I get a SRAM or Campy 9 speed rear DR with my Shimano STI shifters or does the rear DR have to match the shifters as far as make goes? It seems to me that the break calipers are not going to matter so long as I match reach, correct, or does the reach not matter as far as changing them out goes?
SRAM rear derailleurs were once designed to be interchangeable with SHIMANO rear derailleurs.
It seems like it was about a half-dozen ([COLOR= #808080]?[/COLOR]) years ago when SRAM chose to change the pull-rate which their MTB shifters & derailleurs used; and subsequently, SRAM chose to use the same pull rate on their Road shifters & derailleurs . My understanding is that SHIMANO & CAMPAGNOLO use a 2:1 pull rate whereas SRAM's pull rate is 1:1.
Presuming that a 1:1 pull rate means that more cable movement is required to move the derailleur cage an equivalent amount, then there IS a potential advantage to THAT design spec. But, the real world advantage was probably lost before the execution of the spec due to the almost-universal use of stainless steel cables ([COLOR= #808080]vs. the galvanized steel cables which were once common[/COLOR]).
- The advantage of the 1:1 pull does probably remain for people who never have their bike serviced (either DIY or by their LBS) or by lazy Wrenches because the initial setup (which isn't difficult with either Shimano or Campagnolo components) is probably not as critical.
That will certainly seem like a long preamble to saying that one would think that there isn't any interchangeability,
but it's probably not true, BUT
'I' figure there probably isn't any reason for most of us to stray from Shimano rear derailleurs ...
- SRAM rear derailleurs have been successfully mated to 10-speed CAMPAGNOLO shifters and 10-speed SHIMANO cassettes ...
- CAMPAGNOLO 10-speed bar-ends have been substituted for 10-speed SRAM shifters ... some 9-speed Campagnolo rear derailleurs have the same geometry as 10-speed Campagnolo rear derailleurs which do have the same geometry as 11-speed Campagnolo rear derailleurs ...
[*]
et cetera
Quote: Originally Posted by
simplyserving
It seems to me that the break calipers are not going to matter so long as I match reach, correct, or does the reach not matter as far as changing them out goes?
The QUICK RELEASE, or lack of, on the brake calipers may be a factor which you will want to factor into your consideration ...
- the quick release allows the caliper to open further to facilitate wheel removal-and/or-insertion
- some-or-many people like to set their brake pads so that they are very close to the rim's brake surface ...
- Campagnolo stopped including a quick release on their calipers about 20 years ago (it's incorporated in the shifter) it's certainly 'okay' to have a quick release on both the shifter & brake caliper -- relatively FAT tires no NARROW rims will benefit when both are present
- it's probably not a good idea if there isn't a quick release on both the shifter & brake caliper