Campag Ergos - DIY 9 to 10 sp ?

proto
proto Posts: 1,483
edited November 2008 in Workshop
My son has some very nice 9sp Chorus Ergos on his bike - later round top style, but with aluminium levers - quite old but immaculate condition. Personally I'm not so keen on the carbon bladed Ergos as they are too prone to crash/transport damageand I think alum seems a more suitable material.

He entered a few races this year and is threatening to do more next, so I'm in the process of upgrading his bike - new frame/forks/chainset.

I'm trying to harmonise all the Proto household bikes to 10sp so that we can swap wheels around, so I thought rather than get new Ergos, just rebuild his as 10sp. Mercian will sell me the bits, I think, but how difficult/fiddly is it? I'm pretty useful with spanners/tweezers/hammer so prepared tp give it a go.

Anyone done it? Hany hints and tips? Ta.

Comments

  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,325
    Have a look here

    http://www.nuttycyclist.co.uk/cycling/ergo-rebuild.htm

    I'd have a go if the spares are cheap, but it doesn't look like the easiest thing to do....

    I'm sure there are videos on youtube as well

    As for the carbon fibre ergolevers, I had the same fear, but they've survived a fall only getting slightly scratched, so I'm more confident on their durability now. More worried about the plastic shifters, but nobody complains, so they might be OK, I guess
    left the forum March 2023
  • tenor
    tenor Posts: 278
    Mercian Cycles can carry out this mod to the right hand lever.
  • pawlfreehub
    pawlfreehub Posts: 69
    Might be worth noting that when you get them apart you occasionally find that some fiddly bit costing pence is bust or breaks, Mercian will just fit the appropriate bit and put fresh springs in if you wish, whereas you'll have to re order, wait for it to arrive and pay more postage. The inside of a Campagnolo ergo defeated me, Jeff (or it could be Geoff) at Mercian gets my vote, quick and not expensive, certainly knows his onions - or his ergos.

    If you're a dab hand at mending watches and the like though, have a go yourself.
  • proto
    proto Posts: 1,483
    Thanks all.

    Had a long chat with Jeff at Mercian, an incredibly helful and knowledgeable bloke. They are early 9sp Chorus but little used and in mint condition. Mercian would charge £50 +p/p for a rebuild, or £29 for just the parts. I chose the latter option. Because of the condition I'm not expecting there to be any other bits to be replaced.

    I did consider selling the Chorus Ergos as is, saving the dosh and buying some newer Centaur levers instead. Jeff persuaded me to keep them, as mich higher quality internals than newer lower range stuff. In his opinion Chorus well worth keeping.

    Checked out YouTube and there are a few very useful videos on there. CampyOnly.com also has a 'how to' page as well. Plus Nuttycyclist page. Should be okay, if not Jeff will be getting a Jiffy bag of looses parts in the post! :)

    Also had a chat with Jeff about 8sp stuff. I was going to ask him to convert some 8sp record hubs I have to 10sp, but he talked me out of it. So some 1992 8sp Record stuff will be up fort sale very soon - rear/front mech, hubs, ergos (not sure what year the ergos are, but lovely condition)

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