Campag 8spd cassette rebuild

philkeeble

Hi foks, I'm in the process of replacing a couple of sprockets on my 15 yr old Campag 8 spd freehub. This hub does not have assymetric splines, so the sprockets can be thrown on any-old-how. However, I remember being told that for slick shifting they should be installed in a special way relative to each.

Can anyone emlighten me with details as to how the sprockets should be arranged?

Thanks,
Phil

whyamihere

Do you see some small dots on each of the cogs? If so, these should be arranged to make a smooth spiral, spiralling anticlockwise from the smallest cog.

philkeeble

Okay, so now I've got round to cleaning up the components I can report that there are no spots, diamonds, triangles or any other identifying orientation marks, other than the fact that each sprocket has its spline notch cutouts marked A,B,C ...,H. Having carefully painted a stripe up the inside of the cassette before disassembling, I can see that the sprockets were not installed with the letters lined up, or in any other identifiable sequence.

So, any other ideas?

Phil

stevebendall

I might have the instructions that guide you through this, as each letter represents how different sprockets can be mixed and matched with others if you wanted to make up your own ratios

Still got some 8 speed cassettes, new in boxes, lying around if you're interested?

Steve

philkeeble

Doh, I should have asked earlier! But I'll bet you don't have a 30-12 because it was built up as a special when I had the bike built. Actually it was a 30-13 to start with but I've just fitted a Stronglight Impact compact chainset so replaced the 13 with a 12 to get my top gear back ... then noticed that the 30 was worn so got a replacement sprocket ... then noticed that the 20 was a bit worn too so replaced that as well. Rest are still in good shape. the replacement cogs came from Highpath (Marchisio sprockets). Had I known at the outset that I'd be replacing 3 cogs, I'd have gone for the complete set, and may yet if the change action isn't too hot!

I did suspect that the letter orientation may depend on cog size, it was the only explanation that fitted the seemingly random positions. Couldn't see any other pattern despite a considerable time spent pondering. It was a challenge to my engineering and analytical credibility. I failed.

Mind you I also failed on chain length selection. I figured that by going from a 52 to a 48 big chainring that I'd need 4 less links on the new chain. Until I saw how tight it was, then it dawned on me that it only wraps round half of the chain ring therefore need two links less!

You live and learn but only by trying it!

Phil