Campag 8-speed

cprice2437

Coming back to riding after 12 years away (work) and digging out my 1992 Bianchi steel framed Chorus equipped beauty (less than 1000 miles) I am finding the 12-23 wth 53/39 gearing a real issue on longer rides with current state of fitness.

Aiming to reduce my 88kg to 80kg rather than spend money on lighter bike (not possible anyway at present due to unemployment).

I can get a 13-26 cassette described as Exa-Drive but will this fit with my vintage gear? Have had the cassette off the wheel and nowhere on my bike is Exa-Drive stamped...Campag website next to useless for info.

Is the standard short cage rear mech. going to be OK with 26 big sprocket?

Clearly other options include a compact chainset but as I am currently unemployed this would be out of reach - need new chainset/bb to fit italian thread bracket shell etc etc.

Anybody got a real good solution? Bike currently 10kg with pedals so is always going to be a monster on hills compared to newer gear - but it is the last of the genuine Italian hand-made bikes before the company was bought by the Americans and subsequently Swiss so I just want to ride it and get opn with losing weight and getting fitter whilst I have the time.

Thanks :oops:

DavidBelcher

cprice2437 wrote:

I can get a 13-26 cassette described as Exa-Drive but will this fit with my vintage gear? Have had the cassette off the wheel and nowhere on my bike is Exa-Drive stamped...Campag website next to useless for info.

Is the standard short cage rear mech. going to be OK with 26 big sprocket?

Don't worry - an Exa-Drive 8sp cassette will be fine with your current Chorus set-up; almost all Campag 8sp stuff is interchangeable (the exception is, from memory, a non-standard cassette for use with certain Campag wheels - Shamals and/or discs?? - which is 8sp but uses a 9sp cog spacing and spline pattern - these are very rare beasts anyhow and you're unlikely to encounter one). Also, a short-cage mech should just about take a 26T top sprocket. For acquiring NOS 8sp stuff, Clements in Ledbury near Hereford (www.cyclesclements.co.uk) might be worth a try. Hope this is of help.

David

cprice2437

Thanks David - I'll give the Ledbury bike dealer a call.

Clive

proto

Ribble have got Record 8 sp cassettes 13/26 in stock at the very reasonable price of £26.06

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/productde ... AMPCASS200

Pretty sure Miche still do 8sp cassettes too.

Edit: Yep, see here

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/productde ... CHECASS200