Hi all,
I’d like to convert my road bike to a use a compact crank instead of a standard. I’m currently running campy record 10. Is anyone running an alternative to a Campy 10 compact crank using using all Record drive train? Campy’s high end components are all 11 speed now and 10 speed compacts seem to come at a premium price. Without have done any research I’m guessing an 11speed crank will not work with a 10 speed drivetrain. Thanks!
The inside width of a 10 speed chain is the same as a 9 speed chain, so in fact you can use any brand 9 or 10 speed compact crank without a problem. The 9 speed crank will have the chainrings slightly further apart and might require a slightly further throw of the front derailleur in some combinations, not an issue with Campagnolo shifters since the front has many ratchet teeth unlike SRAM and Shimano. I have seen screaming deals on older Campy 10 speed cranks at various places, including ProBikeKit, Ribble, TotalCycling, Wheel & Sprocket & either Performance or Nashbar. At one point you could get compact 10 speed carbon square taper Centaur for like $150. Centaur carbon cranks through 2010 were made to the same standard or better than the early Record carbon cranks. 2011 Centaur has been significantly downgraded, I guess because it didn’t make sense that it was so much nicer than the Athena group above it.
11 speed chains are narrower inside than 9 & 10 speed, so the chainrings are slightly narrower as well, and maybe also closer together than 10 speed. I think Leonard Zinn has said 11 speed cranks are still compatible with 10 speed chains & derailleurs, but you ought to double check that.
Brian
A crank is pretty much a crank these days, although you may need 11-speed rings for an 11-speed chain.
Any compact crank on the market will work just fine with your 10-speed Campy stuff. This includes the 11-speed Campy cranks.
~Kevin