Upgrading Specialized Secteur to Campag

Simmo72

Hi

This summer I got back into cycling after a layoff for a number of years. I picked up a specialized secteur elite. I chose this because the frame geo fitted me well and it was very well priced.

The bike is great, but the only thing I'm not keen on is the triple chainset, I never use the smallest ring and it makes the bike look ugly. Also not a fan of all these black components, polished alloy is the way for me. Being an old campagnolo lover I want to start replacing some parts.

I'm not in a position to buy lots of new expensive kit so my plan was to leave the 105 shifters on but get rid of the 105 long reach gearset and replace with a short rearch ultegra front and rear. I would love to stick on campag gears but I don't think they will work with 105 shifters.

I also have a 2005 alloy record chainset to use. Does anyone know if I can put this on and do I need to get a new bottom bracket. If so can you point me in the direction of the bottom bracket suitable for a Secteur.

The campag chainset is of the more traditional style with the central bolts whereas the current shimano chainset uses a different method involving allen key bolts on the crank.

I'm a bit in the dark here as I'm a bit out of touch with some of the changes of recent years.

Many thanks
Simon

gkerr4

a shift to campag will cost a fortune - not only in buying the groupset, but also becuase of the need to change wheels (or use a crappy campag-spaced / shimano splined cassette which I currently have on my winter bike).

this was the reason I build my own up a couple of years ago (s-works roubaix with campag centaur (now record))

the chainset will fit yes, i'm not sure of the chainset you have at the moment but you will certainly need a new BB for it to work - what is the chainset a compact or std double?

redddraggon

The Record chainset with the right BB should work fine with the rest of the kit, expect the front mech, you'll need to change a to double mech.

Chain length might need to be tweaked aswell.

Simmo72

I think I'll keep with Shimano gears as I can't justify the extra cost of the new hub, cassette but I'll italianify the rest. the chainset is a 2005/2006 record with a 53/39. Its also got 180mm cranks which suits my 99cm legs more than the 175 supplied as standard.

Picked up the record chainset for £45 (boxed, new) and a set of used 2001 but g/c chorus calipers for just under £30...think that was a bargain - thx Ebay.

just got to hunt down a cheap bottom bracket and a set of front/rear alloy ultegra mechs and I'm there. I presume specialized use an english thread. God I've missed cycling, love the tinkering, running just ain't the same!

Then in 2012 I can go out and get a carbon fibre campag equipped toy....although Cameron and his cronnies appear to be doing everything to prevent me from having any money.

redddraggon

Using campagnolo brakes with shimano shifters may lead to difficulties. Campag levers have the brake QRs and so the brake calipers don't have them.

It'll make getting wheels in and out more awkward.

Simmo72

good point, thanks for that. On my old steel frame I had chorus 1990 calipers, they didn't have a QR feature but didn't have an issue with taking the wheel out. I'll give it a go. if all else fails I'll stick them on.