Groupset advice for audax build project please

GOMbeen

greetings,

having recently acquired a Thorn 853 frameset I am now looking to build it into a fast(ish) audax machine with some commuting/fun potential. The frameset comes with (conventional) BB already fitted (think, but not sure will take a triple) and I already got some deep-drop caliper brakes. So... a full groupset not needed, but I do need most bits.

Here is my starter based on some randomish clicking on the Parker international website 'round lunchtime.

Mirage 10sp QSErgo Levers + Champ 9sp Triple (30-42-52) + Mirage 10 sp cassette (13/29) + Race 10 sp Triple fr mech (brazeon) + Mirage 10 sp rear mech + C9 chain.

The Champ chainset for the conventional BB and the range (perfect) But it is 9 speed. The rear cassette is 10 speed because the range is much more to my liking than the 9 speed ranges (seem to be 12/25) rather than because I want/need 10 speed. (current tourer has 7 of which I use 3 - 4 for 80% of riding). There doesn't seem to be a changer for the Champ chainset as such....

It is campag not for any philosophical reasons but because their levers (my main expense) are <£ than Shimano equivalent and apparently neater on cable routing (a small but significant factor for me). Once I started with their levers, I stayed with the rest of the stuff for fear of incompatibililty ( not having done this kind of stuff before).

Please weigh in with thoughts and opinions
a) will it work at all
b) any ideas on making it more 'cost effective'
c) other ideas welcomed - like Shimano MTB stuff

Kind Regards

Eoin (the) GOMbeen

Smokin Joe

You won't be able to use a C9 chain on a ten-speed set up, it will have to be the narrower ten-speed one. I would avoid a Campag chain and go for something like a KMC with a quicklink. You also need the correct bottom bracket for a Mirage chainset as there are different lengths and tapers.

Otherwise what you propose will work ok.

robbarker

I used to have a Thorn 853 as my Audax frame - I got into a chamois-staining shimmy descending Cader Idris on the Bryan Chapman, so chopped in for a Thorn Cylosportif frame which I find sublime. The 853 was too twitchy at the front and too relaxed at the rear for me - slghtly too little trail and slightly too-long chainstays.

I run mine with Ultegra 9 speed - originally bar-end levers in the interests of reliability but now STI for convenience.

Your proposal is reasonably sound but, as has been pointed out elsewhere, 10 speed cassettes need 10 speed chains. Chainsets aren't nearly so fussy.

If you are on a budget, I would consider an initial kit-out with Shimano Deore which you buy new for very little at the Wooly Hat Shop on Ebay

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Woolly-Hat-Shop

I would get a new Octalink (splined) bottom bracket - you'll need a 118mm for a triple chainset.

Go with a road block though - an Ultegra 11-23 with a 22/33/44 gives a nice gear range for Audax.

You can use Dura Ace 9 speed bar-end levers or any Shimano 9 speed STIs with Deore 9 speed derailleurs.

acorn_user

You should get the 111mm bottom bracket. Only use the existing one if it is a Campagnolo one.

Using a 9 speed chainset with 10 speeds is no problem, but you will need a 10 speed chain. You can buy a Wipperman quick link and use that to join the Campag chain (which is otherwise excellent).

Probikekit have a kit builder that gives really good prices on part groupsets.

If you already have a Shimano type bb, why don't you get a Stronglight Impact instead? If you buy from Spa Cycles, you can get whatever chainrings you want. It's a nice product.

GOMbeen

Greetings,

Many thanks for all these detailed and helpful replies, this has given me a lot of new ideas, as well as some confidence around the inter-workability.

I'm most impressed both by the knowledge out there and the willingness to take time to share it so helpfully - heartwarming on this cold day !

Kind regards

Eoin Gombeen

Monty Dog

If you can stretch to Veloce Ergos it's worthwhile - the aluminium lever blades feel more robust and provide better braking feel. Stick with Ergos if you ever consider you want to use a handlebar bag. Campag chains are fine with a 10 speed quick link from KMC or Connex. If looking at Deore kit, beware that an MTB front mech might foul your rear wheel/mudguard because of close clearances - stick to a road front mech where possible.

Down the Road

Go for |Full record.

Why compromise

acorn_user

07 Mirage have alloy levers again (I think)

PHcp

GOMbeen wrote:

greetings,
Once I started with their levers, I stayed with the rest of the stuff for fear of incompatibililty ( not having done this kind of stuff before).

c) other ideas welcomed - like Shimano MTB stuff

Kind Regards

Eoin (the) GOMbeen

I'd keep the front end Campag, but use Shimano on the rear. The compatability issues are easily understood - with ten spd Ergos you can run 8 spd Shimano rear with the cable attaching to the rear mech in the usual way. By altering the way the cable attaches to the rear mech you could run 9 spd with the same levers. Being Shimano it makes no difference whether it's road or MTB mech and cassette.
Full details here
http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3946

The reason I suggest keeping the front Campag is that I don't know how the new QS indexing would work with Shimano. If you could get hold of some older ones, without the indexing, you could use whatever you fancied on the front.