I have the opportunity to purchase a y2k 10 speed record group (never put on a bike) for what I feel is a good price. I have always been on Shimano Dura-ace or Ultegra. I have one special bike that will not be raced and only used on select rides. My thought was this might be a perfect group for this bike.
After talking to my local bicycle consultants, I understand that Champy has changed the 10speed design a number of times since 2000. Any expirience, thoughts, and or comments regarding why they changed the design, are the earlier designs flawed?
JT
Campy has a bunch of kick-ass engineers. They do quite a bit of evolution. But looking at Shimano components, they evolve quite a bit, as well. You can rebuild, upgrade, and do whatever you want with a Campy gruppo (within reason). You can upgrade the internals of the Record ergopower shifters (see http://campyonly.com/ for details)to the new standard. If it is that great of a deal, go for it.
Your local bike friends are wrong. Campagnolo has never changed the geometry or cable pull requirements of the 10 speed group. They did change the 9 speed derailleurs to the newer 10 speed geometry, so current 9 speed does not work with pre-2000 9 speed. The new 2004 Ultra-Ergopower changed the shifting effort, but again, it is still 100% compatible with the previous 10 speed effort. From 2000 the changes are very minor until this year. 2000 vs 2003 however is negligible. The biggie is the “perma-link” chain. I’ve had a catostrophic failure with one of those as did most of the Banesto team at Euskal Bicilete (sp?) the year 10 speed chains were introduced. Dual pivot rear brakes were offered then and are actually coveted by some for their increased stopping power (you know all those folks that stop their bike with the rear brake only) and ability to be centered by hand. Double check the chainring bolt that threads into the arm as well. There is a very thin shim on the 10 speed chainring to space it out correctly, unfortunatley the first generation cranks did not get adequate torque spec out of the box and if this bolt loosens it may creak, if it backs out, it can destoy your frames chainstay. I’ve seen two cases of a NEW record group claiming its frame within the first couple rides. One thing I’m not clear on is the ErgoBrain and whether that model year actually worked with the CatEye built unit.
When are you going to pick up a track bike?
Have you seen Cullen’s now famous video on NAS-Track.com yet? Awesome, and he raced the rest of the night!
See you on the road,
-Dave Koesel
Thanks for the insight on the Champy.
Yes I have seen Cullens crash, absoultly wonderful. It just goes to show how thick his skull really is. I think after that kind of crash I would have considered taking up bowling instead, But no he continues to race and even crashed again the following week and nailed the same wounds, Ouch!!
A track bike is in the works for the spring, perhaps an Orbea ; )