Conference noted::bicycle

Unbiased opinions?
From THIS file?
                                ;>)

PS Japanese components mixed with beautiful Campagnolo - SHUDDER!!!

   (There's your first unbiased opinion!).

    I switched to Campag Ergo this year and love it, but I went for a full
    Veloce drivetrain: brake/gear units, derailleur and cassette hub. If
    you try to mix components from different manufacturers, be prepared for
    dissatisfaction or even failure. Remember, you can't revert to friction
    shifting with Ergo.
    
    On the other hand, if you're prepared to spend more money if need be,
    you could get just the Ergo shifters and see how you get on. If they
    work with the Shimano derailleur, great, otherwise spend the extra
    money for Campag gears (note that you may end up with new wheels).
    
    
    Rod

I think the easiest way to be put off mixing components is to just think of 
all the things that could be different -

How much cable movement for how much derailleur movement? (with friction, you 
can overcome this, but indexed is another ball game).

Sprocket spacings? (There is NO standard)

Teeth profile and chain? (I'm told that Sedis chains "work" with Shimano, but 
Shimano ones work better).

Tolerances?

I spoke to Daniel in the local shop and his opinion was that the Campag setup 
is nice, solid and reliable, but is a bit finicky to adjust to start with.  
If you want to put it on and run with it then Shimano is the way to go.

As a final throwaway, we have an Irish guy in the area who wants a new bike - 
we told him to either go to a shop and buy it made-up, ready to go, or buy a 
complete one from a maker.  Unfortunately he got tangled up with some French 
bikies, who told him to get "this from there, that from over there because 
it's cheaper etc etc.." The guy is really confused now, but it should be 
noted that these two "advisors" are frequently unable to use their 
"superbikes" because they are not working......

    
    In my unproffessional opinion, if you want to hang on to your 400EX 
    it might be a much easier/ecconomical move to upgrade to Shimano bar
    ends, like on the RB-1. If you like the Ergo, some other options are
    the new 105s or better yet the Ultegra. I personally won't mix Campy 
    and Shimano but what do I know ;-)
    
    Shaw

    to .4
    
         You know a lot, Shimano of any kind is simply better ( Guys,
    please let's not rathole this note ).
         Seriously, I would not mix components, you should use either full
    Campy or full Shimano.  I just retrofitted a bike and found out why
    full one or the other is a good policy.
    
    

>         You know a lot, Shimano of any kind is simply better

bull

>( Guys,  please let's not rathole this note ).

with a statement like that a rathole is impossible.

I must rathole it....

Just ask yourself

- if Campagnolo was made in the US, would you still buy Shimano in 
  preference?

- which economy would you rather support - Italian or Japanese?

- which product is obviously made with planned obscelesence (sp?) in mind?

Bring back BSA, Chater-Lea, Brampton etc.....

    Bummer, looks like I have to wait a while and get a Campy Gruppo!!
    Oh well, all it takes is time and alot of MONEY!!!

Nearly right - you don't need the seatpin, pedals, brakes or chainset

You just need rear hub, rear mech, cassette, levers of some type.....

The "Campag" chain is a badged Sedis, and you don't have to have Ergo levers,



.....just a good Bank Balance!!

    I'm thinking about upgrading f&r derraileurs as well as rear hub and
    cassette.  What I was wondering is what kind of compatibility problems
    can I expect with the equipment listed above and my cranks/chainrings. 
    Also, can shifters that were made with a 6 speed cassette be used for a
    7 or 8 speed?
    
    	AtDhVaAnNkCsE,  (thanks in advance :-)
    			
    		Mike