Campag: 10 and 11 speed cross-compatibility?

andylav
andylav Posts: 308
edited June 2010 in Workshop
Hi

Have had a search and can't seem to find the answer I'm looking for so apologies if this has been covered before.

Looking to upgrade one of my bikes to Campag 11 speed if I can do it in a staged fashion.

Proposing purchase of 11 speed ergolevers, rear mech, cassette and chain in the first instance in the hope that the 11 speed chain will work with my existing 10 speed front mech and chainset/chainrings in the short term, with a view to upgrading them at a later date.

Grateful if anyone could confirm if my reasoning is sound or if the 11 speed chain will not work with the 10 speed chainrings.

Many thanks

Andy

Comments

  • the great cornholio
    the great cornholio Posts: 33
    I think the fron mech and chainset will be fine. You might find your 10 speed rear mech also works fine with 11 speed chain.
  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,576
    I'm in the process of doing the same. I have a bike with 11 speed Chorus and am currently using a 10 speed chainset, chainrings and front mech with no adverse effects.
  • Chrissz
    Chrissz Posts: 727
    I've done it too and can confirm it will work. As already stated, you may also be able to get the 10spd rear mech to work with the 11spd levers.

    Also, for the chain, you can use SRAM 10spd powerlinks to join it! Use the Parks Tools 11spd chain splitter t o cut it and Powerlinks to join it (or pay silly money for the peening tool!!).
    http://coastalcommando.wordpress.com/
  • andylav
    andylav Posts: 308
    Thanks guys

    Had seen that it was possible to get the 10 speed RD to work but I need a new rear mech anyway, hence the thoughts of upgrading.

    Also planning to use KMC X11 chain so that specific chain tools needn't be a concern

    Thanks again

    Andy
  • de_sisti
    de_sisti Posts: 1,283
    Chrissz wrote:
    As already stated, you may also be able to get the 10spd rear mech to work with the 11spd levers.


    Really? I thought the cable pull etc was different. Interesting though.
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    De Sisti wrote:
    Chrissz wrote:
    As already stated, you may also be able to get the 10spd rear mech to work with the 11spd levers.


    Really? I thought the cable pull etc was different. Interesting though.

    The geometry of the rear mech is the same i.e. the ratio of cable pull to linear motion - therefore the 11 speed lever just pulls slightly less cable and therefore the mech moves a slightly smaller distance.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • de_sisti
    de_sisti Posts: 1,283
    Monty Dog wrote:
    De Sisti wrote:
    Chrissz wrote:
    As already stated, you may also be able to get the 10spd rear mech to work with the 11spd levers.


    Really? I thought the cable pull etc was different. Interesting though.

    The geometry of the rear mech is the same i.e. the ratio of cable pull to linear motion - therefore the 11 speed lever just pulls slightly less cable and therefore the mech moves a slightly smaller distance.

    Therefore, as Campag 10s Ergos work perfectly with a Shimano 9s hub/cassette * then
    the 11s Athena Ergos should work too, or am I missing something.

    (*works perfectly on my 3 bikes).
  • 2alexcoo
    2alexcoo Posts: 251
    andylav wrote:
    Thanks guys

    Had seen that it was possible to get the 10 speed RD to work but I need a new rear mech anyway, hence the thoughts of upgrading.

    Also planning to use KMC X11 chain so that specific chain tools needn't be a concern

    Thanks again

    Andy

    As far as I know the KMC chains are still vapourware. I gave up waiting and bought the Campag chain tool instead (got a deal on one secondhand).
    Alex

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