Campy/Shimano together? Campy shifters for CX? Prices hard to resist.

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Permalink Reply by andrew on May 31, 2013 at 12:04pm

I'm obviously biased in that I wrote some of that stuff, but I think Campy shifters hold up pretty well in cx, and pairing with a Shimano Low Normal (rapid rise) rear derailleur works nicely to:

1) make the ergonomics better for cx (downshift via the thumb, from the hoods, where you'll likely to be when you need to downshift)

2) make the upshift easier for those with shorter thumbs, from the drops, for sprints (admittedly it's not as positive a feeling as a DoubleTap or STI lever but it's more accessible)

3) multiple upshifts and downshifts (potentially the whole cassette) depending on the shifter (higher-end shifters tend to let you shift more gears at once, i.e. Ultrashift).

4) here's the biggest - downshifts are way more reliable under force, and will happen when you need them, since it relies on the ramps, not you trying to jam the chain over. has a di2 feel in a way. it's a shame that Rapid Rise is dead, in that it had its merits. 

I've ridden all brands of shifters and find each has positives and negatives and all do the job well, but if you're just replacing shifters and already have a Shimano setup and are on a budget, the Shimergo option is worth considering.  Curious to hear others' experience about the durability of Campy levers. 

But I saw that Nashbar price myself and it's crazy low...prob lower than what bike shops pay. Must be an OE selling extras or something? 

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Permalink Reply by Jim Lentfer on May 31, 2013 at 12:37pm

Can't speak to Campy 11, but I have rebuilt Campy 9 speed ergo levers several times (tons of miles on a road bike, and 5 seasons on the set on my cross bike).  Even bought a used pair to rebuild as a backup.  Parts are available.  For me Campy levers are a must for cross.

For my Ultegra 9 road bike, I couldn't wait until those Shimano levers died (which they did) and I could upgrade with Campy 10 speed ergo levers.  Using the CXM Shimangolo set up, which is flawless.  

And I do run the rapid rise 9 on my mtb, and agree with Andrew on that gem.

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Permalink Reply by Derek Yarra on May 31, 2013 at 12:29pm

After two years of having Sram drivetrains break down, and previous to that less than stellar experience with reliability on Shimano drivetrains, I decided to bite the bullet and go for a full Chorus 11s build last year. I traveled coast to coast, raced in every imaginable condition, and did not have a single flaw or issue. I never even had to change a chain or cable! I was not sure what to expect, but my Campagnolo kit served me better than anything else I had ever raced on. I would go for it!

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Permalink Reply by Matt Schwartz on May 31, 2013 at 12:33pm

I run full Campy for CX and have had no issues that i would blame squarely on it being campy, so I wouldn't have any hesitation in running these shifters.  I've had zero durability issues so far.  I also think they are well suited (in terms of the hood shapes) to CX and I like where the levers and buttons are located.  Also, it's easier for me to use my goat brain and only remember how one kind of shifter works when my HR is pinned during a race.  

I know a few folks who run Shimergo, and they have zero complaints. I'm not looking to switch to Shimergo, mainly as I have a stock of CX wheels that are campy splined.

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Permalink Reply by StokedRad on May 31, 2013 at 12:35pm

As a Campy 11s user for road and cross, several things come to mind:

1) Super Record shifters are made to be lightweight and as such probably a bit fragile. If you are crashing and thrashing your cx bike, even at the discounted price, they do not seem to be the best choice for your cross bike.

2) 11s shifters with a 10 speed drivetrain is not ideal, never tried to dial in a mix like this myself, but heard less than positive reviews from several mechanics.

3) Shopping around you should be able to score some 10s Campy shifters with the new ergo-power lever shape for less than 1/2 of that Nashbar price.

Hope you get what you are after either way. Cross is boss.

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Permalink Reply by zac chappell on May 31, 2013 at 12:48pm

I'm not a big fan of Campy for cross. I have a tendency to bump the thumb lever when I'm on the hoods and getting jostled around. Others might not have this issue.

Another option would be using 10s Campy shifters with a Sram rear derailleur.  That'll let you mix and match whatever Sram/Shimano stuff you want for the rest of the drivetrain.  Somehow 10s Campy stuff is less expensive than even Microshift. I have a road bike setup this way and it works really well.

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Permalink Reply by c-note on May 31, 2013 at 11:25pm

I think the 11 speed shifters on a 10 speed drivetrain issue stokedrad refers to is NOT a Shimagnolo conversion.  I have found the Shimagnolo to be problem free.

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Permalink Reply by Cyclocross Magazine on June 2, 2013 at 9:33pm

StokedRad, the 11 speed campy levers work great on Shimano derailleurs and either 9 speeds or 10 speed cassettes, depending on how you route the cable.  The article that Mat linked to explains a bit about it. Basically by changing the way you clamp the cable, you can change the amount of cable pull you get.  Hope that clears it up. 

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Permalink Reply by c-note on May 31, 2013 at 11:31pm

I have used Shimagnolo, aka Shimergo, extensively, both rapid rise and normal, 8,9, and 10 speed.  I now have a bike set up with new 10 speed Veloce levers shifting 8 speed cogs on the rear with "normal" cable routing.  That's because I have extra 8 speed cassettes.  I could take this same setup and shift nine with just a remounting of the cable.  TOTALLY reliable and I like the ergonomics of the New Campagnolo levers (with the tall hooked hood).  Though I prefer rapid rise, those derailleurs are getting harder to find, and usually have longer pulley cages and weigh a bit more than an old ultegra or dura ace.  If you like the ergonomics, Campy levers are durable, better in a sand pit crash than Shimano, and have replaceable springs.  The only ones to avoid are the "escape mechanism" levers-those have very limited durability and are not repairable.

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Permalink Reply by Mathew Shimoko on June 1, 2013 at 6:07pm

Thank you guys for the awesome feedback. The 10spd Chorus on my road bike has served me fantastically and the new shape of the 11spd body looks like a nice improvement. Looks like I'll be giving the Shimergo setup a shot.

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