converting Campy Ergo Levers

[fluffman]

Hello;

Apologies for the dumb questions, but I am very new to Campy having ridden Shimano all my life.
I have a set of ergo levers off a bike I bought and want to convert them from 8 to 10 speed. I have a couple of questions:
I cant figure out what the levers I have are- there are no markings or indications as to level- Athena, Veloce etc.
I also cant tell what year the levers are- based on this article from Campy only, there are years that cant be converted- http://www.campyonly.com/howto/cam_change.html

Also, is it difficult to do myself?
Finally, can conversions be done on a rear derailleur as well?

pics https://www.dropbox.com/gallery/5280968 ... e?h=9a836f

Thanks

 

[hamster]

There are two things at play. The cable pull changed in 2001, which means that effectively there are two systems (before and after). Mechs cannot be converted.
Round top ergos can be changed to 10 speed, older pointy top ones cannot is the general guidance. In fact some earlier ones can reportedly be done but it requires some filing etc.

 

[bm0p700f]

I think by the time woy have sourced the parts (which will not be cheap) and done all the fiddley work you will be wishing that you bought new ones.

xenon 10x shifter are about £70. They are the second lightest in the Ergo range. Only the chorous and above is lighter. Veloce levers are about £75 -£80 and they work fine. I would save yourself the hassle and get wither of those.

 

[monty dog]

If they are 8 speed then expect they are Mk 1 (pointy hoods) and therefore cannot be converted.

 

[mattsccm]

8 speeds cannot be converted.This is regarded as the law. Companies like Mercian who know all there is say the same as does Bransford (sp???) which is linked from Sheldon Brown.
Just recently I came across something on the web suggesting that some one had done the conversion but it was a dead end and I couldn't find any more.
I think its safe to say that you are stuck with 8 speeds.
However here on Retrobike you may well find a buyer. If you can establish if they are a higher groupset then they fetch good money, enough to but something like 10 speed Veloce's.

 

[hamster]

You can convert 8 speed pointy top ergos to 9 - I have some myself! However it is pre-2001 9 speed. Mine are 1994 Record Ti ones.

 

[fluffman]

Many thanks for all of your thoughts on this topic chaps. It sounds like it is more trouble than it is worth! Happy riding everyone!

 

[mattsccm]

You can convert. Please point me the direction of the bits I need.

 

[AirPressure]

Yes, they can be converted.
I swapped the innards form a pair of the rounded full carbon Record Ergo levers into a set of original Athena levers and vice versa.

The 8 speed internals fit quite easily into the newer levers.
The 10 speed internals required a lot of filing but in the end I got it all together.

Probably not worth the trouble.

 

[klasse]

Suggestion: Sell or keep the 8sp and buy the 10 speed